title: Human factors and ergonomics assessment of food pantry work: A case study.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Research assessing work processes in food pantries has been limited to the client's experience and aspects of food donations [3-5]. Research on food pantries has yet to focus on understanding and evaluating worker-environment interaction.
  
  
  OBJECTIVE
  The present case study examined the interaction between workers and their work environment while performing common tasks in a food pantry.
  
  
  METHODS
  Data were collected through naturalistic observations and structured interviews. A task analysis was performed on the data.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Several potential issues in the pantry were identified including with the workspace layout, environmental conditions, and signage. Human factors and ergonomics principles were then utilized to provide insights and recommendations (e.g., use of numbered rather than color-coded signage).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Recommendations were provided to the case study food pantry for enhancing safety and productivity. Further research is needed to assess the generalizability of our findings to other food pantries.
authors.forename: Nicholas A
authors.initials: NA
authors.lastname: Higgins
authors.forename: Andrew B
authors.initials: AB
authors.lastname: Talone
authors.forename: Nicholas W
authors.initials: NW
authors.lastname: Fraulini
authors.forename: Janan A
authors.initials: JA
authors.lastname: Smither
mesh_terms: D000884:Anthropology, Cultural; D006804:Ergonomics / Q000592:standards*; D005260:Female; D005431:Florida; D063105:Food Assistance / Q000458:organization & administration* / Q000639:trends; D006801:Humans; D008875:Middle Aged; D009939:Organizations, Nonprofit / Q000458:organization & administration / Q000639:trends; D057188:Workflow; D017132:Workplace / Q000523:psychology / Q000592:standards*
keywords: Ethnography; ergonomics; task analysis; workspace design