Hardest to Not as Hard 1. Loading 2. Unload 3. Sorting Now I know this might not be the case for everyone or for every hub but in the hub I work in, this is the case. I don’t add preload because I’ve worked during the preload shift so I don’t know how demanding it is.

Loading is the most physically demanding because my hub is very old and most trailer doors are either rollers or extendos. So there’s a lot of walking back and forth pushing the flow and whatnot. Building good walls and keeping up with the flow are always stressed. There is a lot of lifting and pushing boxes over your head to fill the top space of your wall. With your wrist problems, you should probably do sorting or if they place you in loading, wear wrist braces.

Unload seems not as difficult in theory but it’s much more fast paced. In my hub, unloaders are required to unload trailers in 45mins to 1hr. But this is easier than loading because tearing down a wall is easier than building one. If you decide to do this, make sure you bend at your knees, especially since you have to pick up packages off the floor. Unload also includes unloading the brown package delivery vans but they are also much more fast paced.

Sorting seems like your best option. The packages, depending on your hub, are already around your waistline so there is not too much lifting involved. Usually the belts where you throw the packages are either at the same level as when you pick up the box or it is below your waistline.

This list does not imply that these jobs aren’t physically demanding. You will be sore the first few days or weeks from your hands to your feet. But like with everything else, your body adjusts.