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Thomas E. Bernard
University of South Florida
College of Public Health
13201 Bruce B. Downs Blvd.
Tampa, FL 33612-3805

phone: 813-974-6629
fax: 813-974-4718
email: tbernard@health.usf.edu  ·  website: http://personal.health.usf.edu/tbernard
NEW: The NIOSH RLE Analysis Package was re-written and includes metric units; and the WISHA checklist was updated with the newer WISHA recommendations and descriptions.

Analysis Tools for Ergonomists

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

Kodak's Egonomic Design for People at Work
S. N. Chengalur, S. H. Rodgers, T. E. Bernard (ed)
John Wiley and Sons


The following group of downloads is a growing concern. Visit again sometime and feel free to make suggestions.

Basic | Qualitative | Semi-Quantitative | Quantitative

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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Ergonomist, one who protects workers.


It derives from a conjunction of ergon and gnome (i.e., ergo-gnome to ergonome to ergonomist); where ergon is Greek for work and gnome is a member of a fabled race of dwarfs who protect treasures.

This page was last updated on July 21, 2009