OSHA & Ergonomics
OSHA often cites ergonomic hazards under what requirement?
General Duty Clause
What is anthropometry?
The study of human body measurements for design purposes.
What does CTD stand for?
Cumulative Trauma Disorder?
What does RULA stand for?
Rapid Upper Limb Assessment.
What does RWL stand for?
Recommended Weight Limit.
Which OSHA standards (parts) most often reference ergonomics?
1910 (General Industry) and 1926 (Construction).
Which measurement is most important for setting desk height?
Elbow height when seated.
What disorder is linked to vibration exposure?
HAVs - Hand-arm vibration syndrome
What is the lowest REBA score and what does it mean?
1 = negligible risk.
What does LC stand for?
What does LC stand for?
True or False: OSHA has a specific ergonomics standard.
False.
What percentile range is typically used for design extremes?
The 5th and 95th percentiles.
Name the body part most affected by carpal tunnel syndrome.
The wrist/hand.
Which tool is best for evaluating whole-body, dynamic tasks?
REBA.
What does LI stand for, and what does it tell us?
Lifting Index; ratio of load weight to RWL, indicates risk.
Which OSHA form summarizes workplace injury/illness data for public posting?
OSHA 300A
Which body dimension is critical for safe stair design?
Leg length (step rise/run based on stride).
Which CTD is most likely in interior design professionals?
Neck strain or carpal tunnel syndrome.
What is the highest possible RULA score and what does it mean?
7 = very high risk, immediate action needed.
If RWL = 20 lbs and load = 10 lbs, what’s LI?
0.5 (low risk).
Which OSHA record might be reviewed for ergonomic injuries?
OSHA 300 Log
Give one example of anthropometry applied in construction safety.
Designing ladder rung spacing, handrail heights, or clearance heights.
Which ergonomic risk factor is most closely linked to tendonitis?
High repetition.
A RULA score of 7 indicates what?
Very high risk, immediate changes required.
If the LI = 1.0, what does that mean?
The lift is borderline acceptable for most healthy workers.
Which ergonomic hazard is most often linked to General Duty Clause citations?
Manual material handling/lifting hazards.
What is the benefit of adjustable equipment?
It allows accommodation for a wider range of body sizes.
Which CTD is most likely in bricklaying?
Low back strain or tendonitis.
What’s a limitation of posture tools like REBA/RULA?
They can be subjective and are snapshots of posture.
Which multiplier accounts for twisting?
AM (Asymmetry Multiplier).
Which type of control is highest on the hierarchy of controls?
elimination (or engineering controls if narrowed to ergonomics)
Why is designing for the 50th percentile often a mistake?
Because it excludes smaller and larger individuals, fitting only the “average” person.
Give two common CTDs seen in construction work.
Tendonitis and low back strain (others: rotator cuff injuries, trigger finger).
Very high risk, immediate changes required.
Joints are aligned with minimal stress on muscles and tendons.
If RWL = 12 lbs and the worker lifts 36 lbs, what is LI?
LI = 36 ÷ 12 = 3.0 (very high risk).
What is one reason OSHA emphasizes ergonomics even without a standard?
Ergonomic hazards are a leading cause of recordable injuries and costs.
could be things like; adjustable desk, ergo-tools, supportive chair, wrist support, etc.
Name three main ergonomic risk factors for CTDs.
Force, repetition, awkward posture.
Which posture tool is better for repetitive assembly line work?
RULA.
If LI = 2.0, what does that mean?
The lift is twice as demanding as recommended (high risk).
OSHA’s “Safety Pays” tool calculates what three main things about injury costs?
direct costs, indirect costs, and sales needed to recover?
Give one example of how anthropometry applies in interior design.
Sizing desks, chairs, or workstations to fit the intended user population.
Explain how force and repetition combine to raise CTD risk.
They accelerate fatigue and tissue damage, making injuries more likely.
Give one example of a job that should be assessed with REBA, and one with RULA.
REBA: construction lifting task; RULA: office desk typing.
Name the seven multipliers used in the NIOSH equation.
HM, VM, DM, AM, FM, CM, LC.
Name two industries OSHA highlights as higher risk for ergonomic hazards.
Construction and manufacturing (others: healthcare, warehousing).
Which group tends to be excluded if only the 95th percentile is considered in design?
Smaller workers, women, and minority populations (depending on dataset).
Which CTD involves compression of the shoulder tendons?
Shoulder impingement.
Why is inter-rater reliability a concern with posture assessments?
Different observers may score the same posture differently.
Name two ways to increase RWL in a job.
Improve coupling, reduce lift distance, raise load closer to waist, lower frequency.