It’s called the law of unintended consequences. It happens when a plan or process is enacted that is meant to produce a specific outcome, but this outcome also produces unforeseen effects. And the implementation of price scanners in grocery stores is a good example of a process that produced unintended consequences.
In the mid-1970’s, scanners started being put in grocery stores. As you are likely aware, the scanners are placed at the check stands. They allow cashiers to slide products in such a way that barcodes are read and prices are sent to the register. One of the beliefs was that sliding the groceries rather than picking them up would be less strenuous for the cashiers.
But by the early 80’s it was discovered that cashiers were developing physical maladies, including pain in the shoulders, wrists, neck and back. And studies revealed that during an eight-hour shift, a worker could be moving 6,000 pounds or more of product. Moreover, it may take several attempts to get some items correctly scanned. While there have been attempts made to improve the ergonomics of the grocery scanning process, the job is still fraught with the potential of causing injuries.
If you work in a grocery store, you have probably noticed the variety of hazards you face on a daily basis. Whether you are shelving products, mopping floors or handling frozen foods, you could suffer a sudden injury any day. And performing repetitive tasks, such as ringing up groceries, can also cause long-term injuries.
The medical costs of such job-related injuries are typically covered by workers’ compensation. But when you file a claim, it is very important that you get the full measure of what you are due. Additionally, your employer should not impede your ability to get that to which you are entitled. A workers’ compensation attorney may be able to help you get your claim paid in a satisfactory manner.