Ergonomics Analysis Introduction

This section gives some basic background information on the analysis of working postures in the workplace. It also describes the analyses types available.

This page discusses:

Basics

Some analyses require you to record two postures (initial and final posture) while others use the current posture of the manikin as a base for the analysis.

As soon as the postures specify and records, if required, you can call each guideline individually and apply the analysis. The result of each analysis appears at the bottom of the corresponding analysis window. Each dialog box allows you to specify the criterion required for that specific task such as duration and frequencies.

Note: All the analyses are real-time based. This means that if you modify the selected manikin's posture, the current analysis score updates automatically.
Important: Select one manikin in the scenario to be able to conduct the analysis.

RULA Analysis

This describes the RULA Analysis standards.

Standard Explanation
NIOSH 1981 In 1981, NIOSH (National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health) published an algebraic equation for analyzing two-handed symmetrical lifts. The lifting is based on a two-handed symmetrical lift with no upper body twisting, and the distance between hands is less than 75 cm (30 inches). This analysis requires a good coupling between the load and the hands as well as between the shoes and the floor surface.
NIOSH 1991 The NIOSH 1991 equation also known as "the revised lifting equation" deals with two-handed manual lifting tasks. The equation handles a certain level of asymmetry. This analysis assumes an adequate coupling between the shoes and the floor surface.
Snook and Ciriello

The lifting and lowering analysis tool is based on a study done by S. Snook and V. Ciriello at Liberty Mutual Insurance Company. As with the NIOSH equations, this analysis is based on two input postures. The Push Pull Analysis lifting is based on a two-handed symmetrical lift. The action (lifting or lowering) determines the displacement of the load in the scene.

There are three levels of lifting and lowering with approximately 30 inches between each.

  • from floor to knuckle height
  • from knuckle height to shoulder height
  • from shoulder height to arm reaches
  • The horizontal distance calculates from the chest to the midpart of the hand grasp.

This includes,
  • Push Pull Analysis
  • Carry Analysis

Push Pull Analysis

This describes the Push Pull Analysis standards.

The Using Push-Pull Analysis analysis allows you to compare actual data for a pushing/pulling task to what considers as a safe force to perform that task.

There are six predefined distances for push: The 7, 25, 50, 100, 150, and 200 foot push.

The gender as well as the vertical height of the hands extracts from the selected manikin in the scene.

See Push-Pull Analysis Dialog Box.

See Generating Push-Pull Analysis Reports.

There are 3 steps defined for the vertical height of the hands for the pushing task:

  • From floor to 25 inches.
  • From floor to 35 inches.
  • From floor to 53 inches.

Carry Analysis

This describes the Carry Analysis standards.

The Using Carry Analysis analysis allows you to compare actual data for a carrying task to what considers as a maximum acceptable weight of carry to perform that task.

See also Carry Analysis Dialog Box.

This analysis considers two vertical height distances of hands for the carrying task:

  • For males: from floor to 31 inches, from floor to 44 inches.
  • For females: from floor to 28 inches, from floor to 41 inches.

Biomechanics Single Action Analysis

This describes the Biomechanics Single Action Analysis.

This ergonomic tool measures biomechanical data on a worker in a given pose. From the current manikin posture, the Biomechanics Single Action Analysis Dialog Box tool calculates an output information. This could be the lumbar spinal loads (abdominal force, abdominal pressure, body movements) and the forces and moments on the manikin joints. All the outputs incorporated in the model are based on research results and algorithms published by the scientific community.

The forces (loads) acting on the manikin's hands takes into account in the biomechanical analysis. These forces represent the load of carry, push, lift/lower, or pull, depending on the scenario, and are available for hands only. Both the Load Properties and the Biomechanics Single Action Analysis dialog boxes can be open at the same time. The last analysis updates when the load modifies.