The analysis methods provided here
have been adapted by the me or others for training and job analysis
purposes. Generally they are in the open literature. Detailed and
specialized evaluation tools are available from other sources.
The tool implementations are copyrighted and are intended only for
the individual who downloads them. If you use them, please acknowledge
the source. An e-mail on the use would be appreciated.
Typically, an Analysis Package is written in Excel® and has
macros that must be enabled to fully function. The worksheets are
protected to keep users in the data entry areas; some can be unprotected
without a password. Some of the workbooks are protected to conceal
propriatary information; contact me to request an unprotected copy.
Manual methods are pencil and paper methods in an Adobe Acrobat®
pdf file.
There is no warranty associated with these packages. They are no
substitute for reading the original literature and availing yourself
of professional commentary on the methods.
The tools are organized into four categories:
Basic, Qualitative, Semi-Quantitative and Quantitative. Basic tools
are for information and design without an exposure assessment. The
remaining three tool categories are for exposure assessment. Qualitative
tools are best used as a screen for job risk factors. Semi-quantitative
tools require a more focused screening of specific job risk factors,
usually distinguished by risk to a specific body region. Quantitative
tools require more effort and expertise and help to understand how
job risk factors combine to assess risk and suggest contributing
factors that would profit from controls. This three stage exposure
assessment approach is described further in
| Basic Design
Tools and Information |
Anthropometry
Allows for the selection of body dimensions and computes the
population mean, lower and upper limits and range limits based
on a percent inclusion and specified gender mix. |
Analysis Package
v2.1 (1/8/06)
|
Reach Envelope
Link to Thomas J. Armstrong site at the University of Michigan
for an Excel workbook to compute a reach envelope for a specified
body size. See "Some Tools and Software". (There may
be some problems using on a Mac.) |
Link
to Site |
Percentiles
Computes a percentile for value or a value for a percentile
in a known distribution (one or two normal distributions). |
Analysis Package
v1.0 (1/22/05) |
| Unit Conversions |
Analysis Package
v1.0 (1/22/05)
Link
to OnLine Conversions |
Rating Perceived
Effort (RPE) Scale
Scale for perceived exertion, which can be used with Hand
Activity Level and Strain Index to solicit perceived effort
levels from the person performing the task.
Note: This is not a Borg approved format. |
Scale
v2.0 (12/29/06) |
Some Links of Interest
This is list of links is not nearly exhuastive and there
are many good sites that are not included. You may suggest
links to be included. |
Link
to NIOSH Elements of Ergonomics Programs |
Qualitative
Tools (top
of page) |
| OSHA
Screening Tool, VDT Checklist
These are taken directly from the rescinded standard. |
Checklist
|
| Washington
Department of Labor and Industries
Based on the WISHA Ergonomics Rule of 2000
The basic WISHA checklists for Caution and Hazard Zones were
modified to reflect decisions about Caution and Hazard Zone
in one checklist. The lifting and vibration assessments have
been moved to separate forms. Needless to say, what is offered
here is unofficial and unapproved meddling.
This rule is no longer a statute, but the science behind
it stands.
See the WISHA website for more recent checklists and other
information. |
Modified WMSD Checklist
v2.0 (1/12/10)
Lifting
(version 1/13/02)
Hand-Arm Vibration
(version 1/13/02)
Link
to WISHA Ergonomics |
ACGIH®
TLV® for Back
This is an interpretation of the TLV® and not a substitute
for the TLV® and Documentation. |
Manual Method
v1.1 (12/29/06)
|
| Semi-Quantitative(top
of page) |
| Rapid
Upper Limb Assessment (RULA) and
Rapid Entire Body Assessment (REBA)
RULA and REBA consider features of the work that affect the
whole body. While they are similar, the emphasis on some measures
differ. These work sheets were provided with the understanding
that the copyrights would be respected by those who download
them.
A link to the version of RULA by Alan Hedge at Cornell University
is also provided. |
RULA
REBA
Link
to Cornell University
|
| Liberty
Mutual Manual Materials Handling Tables
These have been called the Snook Tables in the past. As they
are updated, they will be referred to as the Liberty Mutual
MMH Tables.
Separate packages for Push/Pull, Carry, and Lift/Lower are
offered. The newest version (v3) of the Push/Pull Analysis
Package contains dual recommendations for initial force.
The design goal tables are a reduced set of the Liberty Mutual
MMH Tables. The emphasis is on design goals based on 75% acceptable
for women. Separate table sets for US Traditional and mks
units are provided. For Push/Pull forces, Loss Prevention
at Liberty Mutual recommends the values associated with the
shortest distance.
Loss Prevention at Liberty Mutual has posted the recommendations
that they use. The link is provided here. |
Push/Pull Analysis Package
v3.0 (12/26/06)
Carry
Analysis Package
v2.0 (9/24/02)
Lift/Lower
Analysis Package
v2.0 (9/24/02)
Design
Goal Tables -- US
v2.2 (10/22/02)
Design
Goal Tables -- Metric
v2.2 (10/22/02)
Link
to Liberty Mutual for MMH Tables
|
| Rodgers
Muscle Fatigue Assessment
The newest version (v2) has a section to screen for higher
priority tasks. |
Manual Method
v2.0 (12/29/06) |
| ACGIH®
TLV® for Hand Activity Level
This is an interpretation of the TLV® and not a substitute
for the TLV® and Documentation.
|
Analysis
Package
v1.2 (4/20/00)
Manual Method
v1.5 (2/17/02) |
Utah
Back Compressive Force
Biomechanical method developed by Donald S. Bloswick at the
University of Utah. He has a newer version in the works and
it will be added here when available and translated. |
Manual Method
v1.1 (2/17/02)
Analysis Package
v1.0 (2/1/05)
|
| Quantitative(top
of page) |
| Moore-Garg
Strain Index
A widely used exposure assessment method for the hands and
wrists.
|
Analysis
Package
v2.2 (1/11/01)
Manual
Method
v1.2 (1/11/01)
|
| NIOSH
Revised Lifting Equation
Analysis package has method for multiple lift analysis. An
applications manual has been published by NIOSH and is available
in pdf from their site.
Examples from the Applications Manual have been added to
the Analysis Package. There are some minor discrepencies due
to rounding errors.
Version 4 has been re-written from scratch. It has provisons
for metric units (kg and cm) and for storing task data. There
is also a data collection form. |
Analysis Package
v 5.0 (8/1/09)
Manual Method
v1.1 (8/9/00)
Link to Applications
Manual |
| Static
Work Analysis
Based on Rohmert methods for endurance and recovery. Rohmert
overestimates endurance time below 25% MVC and it should not
be used in this region. Unpublished data are offered in the
Manual Method for this lower region.
|
Analysis
Package
v1.7 (9/3/00)
Manual Method
v2.0 (12/29/06)
|
| Estimation
of Metabolic Rate
Methods include ISO and Qualitative Descriptors plus equations
for selected activities.
The newest versions (v3 for Analysis Package and v2 for Manual
Method) have an expanded set of equations including an adaptation
of Garg's equations to estimate metabolic rate. |
Analysis Package
v3.1 (7/28/05)
Manual Method
v2.0 (8/6/06)
|
Dynamic
Work Analysis
Considers endurance as well as recovery allowances. Analysis
package has method for multiple task analysis. |
Analysis Package
v1.5 (6/10/05)
Manual Method
v1.1 (8/5/00)
|
| Hand Arm Vibration
The analysis package includes the ACGIH® TLV® criteria
as well as the ANSI limit and another published limit. It
is not intended to represent an official interpretation.
|
Analysis Package
v5.0 (4/20/09)
|
| Whole
Body Vibration
The analysis package includes the ACGIH® TLV® and
ISO criteria. It is not intended to represent an official
interpretation.
|
Analysis Package
v4.0 (4/21/09)
|
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