RULA and REBA: Ergonomic Assessment Methods

RULA: Rapid Upper Limb Assessment

• The Rapid Upper Limb Assessment (RULA) method estimates the risks of work-related upper limb disorders

• The RULA worksheet assigns a score for body regions including upper arm, lower arm, wrist, neck, trunk, and legs

• After collecting and scoring data for each region, tables compile risk factor variables

• A single score generated represents the level of Musculoskeletal Disorders (MSD) risk

• The RULA score estimates the potential level of musculoskeletal risk

• REBA Score of 1 indicates a negligible risk, with no action required

• REBA Score of 2-3 indicates the posture could present some risk of injury, with change possibly needed

• REBA Score of 4-7 indicates a medium risk of injury, investigation and change needed in the near future

• REBA Score of 8-10 indicates a high risk, with change needed immediately

REBA: Rapid Entire Body Assessment

• Rapid Entire Body Assessment (REBA) estimates the risks of work-related entire body disorders

• The REBA assessment requires evaluating the postural angles of six different body positions

• A single score represents the level of Musculoskeletal Disorders (MSD) risk for the job task evaluated

• REBA Score of 1 indicates a negligible risk, with no action is necessary

• REBA Score of 2-3 indicates a low risk, that may be necessary

• REBA Score of 4-7 indicates a medium risk that is necessary

• REBA Score of 8-10 indicates a high risk, that is necessary soon

Job Strain Index

• The Moore and Garg Job Strain Index (SI) estimates injury risks to the wrists and hands

• It is based on assessments of force, repetition, posture, and duration

• The original process from 1995 divided a job into tasks

• Six job risk factors are assessed for each task and hand

• The Revised Strain Index uses continuous data to calculate an SI score

• If SI < 10 for a job, it is probably safe

• If SI > 10 for a job, it is probably hazardous

Lifting Equation NIOSH

• The National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH) defines a Recommended Weight Limit (RWL)

• RWL is a recommendation of the heaviest load a healthy worker could lift without increasing the risk of developing low back pain

• RWL utilizes six critical measurements of the lifting task: horizontal distance (H), starting height (V), vertical travel distance (D), time between lifts (F), angle of the load (A), and quality of the grasp (C)

• The Lifting Index (LI) is the actual weight of the object divided by the RWL

• An LI <1 indicates very low risk

• An LI >1 indicates that the lifted weight exceeded the RWL and should be addressed

• An LI > 3 indicates that the lifted weight exceeds the capacity to safely lift for most of the population, is likely to cause injury, and should be modified immediately

Calculator: Push/Pull/Carry

• Using excessive force during push, pull, or carry tasks can result in injury

• The calculator estimates suggested maximums for force and weight that can be carried

• Values should be adjusted to match your unique situation

• The calculator is based on data from a manual handling study commonly referred to as the Snook Tables

• It is useful to know about Musculoskeletal Injury (MSI) and the 7 Steps to Preventing MSI before using this calculator

Manual Materials Handling

• The Liberty Mutual Manual Materials Handling Population Percentiles are based on the Liberty Mutual Manual Materials Handling Equations

• This manual material handling analysis online tool provides both the male and female population percentages capable of performing manual material handling tasks without perceived overexertion

• It is advised to use the female population percentiles for design purposes

• The results can be used to perform ergonomic assessments of lifting, lowering, pushing, pulling, and carrying tasks

• The primary goal being supporting ergonomic design interventions

Pain Point CCOHS

• The Canadian Centre for Occupational Health and Safety (CCHOS) provides software and applications
• This collection of software helps to keep your workplace safe and compliant

Ergonomic Assessment Toolkit AIHA

• This toolkit includes information on 26 tools, the Tool Selection Flow Chart, and electronic versions of almost all the tools