Ergonomic analysis of handgrips on Suroboyo bus using the rapid upper limb assessment (RULA) method

Aims: The purpose of this study was to evaluate ergonomic assessment MSDs risk in computer users with Rapid Upper Limb Assessment (RULA) method and Nordic questionnaire. Materials and Methods: This cross-sectional study was conducted on 96 computer users in computer sites, Isfahan University of Medical Sciences. The data were analyzed using test SPSS 20 and descriptive statistics and ANOVA test. Data collection tool was Nordic questionnaire and checklist RULA. Results: By Nordic questionnaire, the results showed that MSDs prevalence in computer users were, in the neck (54.9%), back (53.1%), and elbow (43.2%) more than in other parts of the body. Based on the level of risk, RULA was 24 individuals in an area of low risk, 41 individuals area of caution, and 31 individuals in the area hazard. MSDs prevalence was in women more than men. Furthermore, ANOVA test showed that there is direct and significant correlation between age and work experience with a final score RULA (P Conclusion: This study result showed that frequency of musculoskeletal problems in the neck, back, elbow, and wrist was generally high among our subjects, and ergonomic interventions such as computer workstation redesign, users educate about ergonomic principles computer with work, reduced working hours in computers with work must be carried out.

Background:Musculoskeletal disorders are a major problem in all jobs. Several methods are available for assessing the exposure to risk factors associated with musculoskeletal disorders. This study is aimed at comparing three different ergonomic risk assessment methods—rapid upper limb assessment (RULA), loading on the upper body assessment (LUBA), and new ergonomic posture assessment (NERPA) method—to predict upper extremity musculoskeletal disorders.Materials and Methods:The study was conducted on 210 workers from three different industries including pharmaceutical, automotive, and assembly in the Isfahan province. A Nordic questionnaire was used for determining the levels of musculoskeletal disorders. Then, selected postures were evaluated with RULA, LUBA, and NERPA methods. Finally, data were analyzed with Kolmogorov–Smirnov test to check the normality distribution of data, Spearman's correlation test to investigate the correlation between the assessed levels with musculoskeletal disorders, and Wilcoxon test to identify significant differences between the values with SPSS version 16.Results:Wilcoxon test revealed a significant difference between the values related to NERPA and RULA (P < 0.001), whereas no significant relation between LUBA and RULA was shown by this test (P = 0.914). The correlation coefficients of the musculoskeletal disorders' level with RULA level, NERPA level, and LUBA level were 0.74, 0.73, and 0.69, respectively.Conclusion:Low-risk levels in NERPA, medium-risk levels in LUBA, and high-risk levels in RULA are evaluated better. The results showed that RULA was the best method for assessing musculoskeletal disorders among the three methods.

The aim of the study is to reach objective results about the ergonomic risks of nurses' working postures not only by using questionnaires but also by using Rapid Entire Body Assessment (REBA) and Rapid Upper Limb Assessment (RULA) methods, which are risk assessment methods used in engineering fields. This study is a cross-sectional study. First of all, 383 nurses were evaluated with a survey. 91.4% of the nurses were women and 6.5% were men. Average age (female: 38.20; male: 31.5), average weight (female: 65.60 kg; male: 81.50 kg), average height (female: 162.7 cm; male: 176.80 cm) and average body mass index (female: 24.80; male: 26) were calculated. In the hospital, which we grouped into in the hospital, which we divided into eight workstations, the REBA and RULA scores of the three nurses working at each workstation were calculated and the average REBA and RULA scores of the workstations were determined. The percentage of those who experienced musculoskeletal pain in the last 1 year at each workstation and the mean REBA-RULA scores were as follows; ward (92%; 6.92-5.69), operating room (98%; 10-7), emergency department (100%; 6.08-5.33), outpatient clinic (75%; 5.5-5.16), intensive care (94%; 6.21-5.57), administrative affairs (94%; 5-5), laboratory (95%; 5.80-5.2) and interventional procedure (92%; 6.4-5.4). In these stations, the highest scores were seen in the operating room. In the questionnaire, 92.46% of the nurses reported having complaints in at least one part of the musculoskeletal system in the last year. The hospital weighted mean score was REBA 6.86 and RULA 5.71. When REBA and RULA measurements were evaluated, it was determined that the risk in the departments where the nurses worked was generally at the medium risk level. REBA and RULA scores indicate that ergonomic changes and adjustments should be made. For this determination, the risks of working postures should be determined with quantitative methods.

This study conducted a Posture Analysis on boiler operators using the Rapid Upper Limb Assessment (RULA) method. The purpose of this study is to determine what actions workers should take to avoid the risk of complaints and pain in the body of workers at a boiler station which has 4 workers. This study uses the Rapid Upper Limb Assessment (RULA) method to analyze the level of ergonomic risk of body areas that experience complaints or pain. the work posture of workers 1,2,3 and 4 got a score for worker 1 with a score of 8, for worker 2 with a score of 7, for worker 3 with a score of 8 and for worker 4 with a score of 8. The results of analyzing the work posture of the boiler operator got the results of the action on worker 1 with the description of the action right now, worker 2 with the description of the action right now, worker 3 with the description of the action right now and for worker 4 with the description of the action right now, The conclusion of the analysis can be concluded that the need for changes in work posture right now to avoid Fatigue and physical injury.

This study aims to analyze the relationship between work posture, assessed using the Rapid Upper Limb Assessment (RULA) method, and the work productivity level of employees in the office warehouse division of a livestock feed company. A quantitative approach with a cross-sectional design was employed, involving 14 respondents. Data were collected through posture observations using the RULA worksheet and a productivity questionnaire covering aspects of performance and personality. The evaluation results showed that all employees had RULA scores ranging from 3 to 4, indicating a moderate ergonomic risk level. Meanwhile, work productivity scores varied from 57.4 to 78.6. Statistical analysis using the Chi-Square test produced a significance value of 0.730, indicating no statistically significant relationship between RULA scores and employee productivity. Nevertheless, ergonomic improvements are still recommended to prevent musculoskeletal disorders and to enhance long-term work comfort and efficiency.

This study aims to analyze the work posture of employees by using Rapid Entire Body Assessment (REBA) and Rapid Upper Limb Assessment (RULA) methods. In this study, the angle of the employee was calculated, and the results showed that on the body part B, the angle of the back movement is 77º flexion, the neck is 18º extension, and the leg is 39º, while the leg is not uniformly supported. One of the body parts, such as the upper arm is formed an angle of 65 ° flexion, the forearm is 13 ° flexion, the wrist is 0 ° flexion, and the wrist is in the intermediate range of rotation. Based on the results of RULA, a grand score is 7, categorized as Action level 4. Meanwhile, based on the results of REBA, the grand score obtained is 11, and also categorized as Action level 4. Based on the calculation of work posture using RULA and REBA methods, it revealed that the operator’s work posture has a high-level and dangerous risk. Therefore, the operator needs to immediately improve his work posture. In addition, due to the lifting position that was started with no squatting position, it causes waist injures, since it becomes the lift’s pedestal.

This study aimed to systematically compare three representative observational methods for assessing musculoskeletal loadings and their association with musculoskeletal disorders (MSDs): Ovako Working Posture Analysis System (OWAS), Rapid Upper Limb Assessment (RULA), and Rapid Entire Body Assessment (REBA). The comparison was based on a literature review without time limitations and was conducted on various factors related to observational methods. The comparisons showed that although it has a significant limitation of comprising only two classifications for the leg postures, (1) the RULA is the most frequently used method among the three techniques; (2) many studies adopted the RULA even in evaluation of unstable lower limb postures; (3) the RULA assessed postural loads as higher risk levels in most studies reviewed in this research; (4) the intra- and inter-reliabilities for the RULA were not low; and (5) the risk levels assessed by the RULA were more significantly associated with postural load criteria such as discomfort, MHTs and % capable at the trunk, and MSDs.

The Semani Drainage Works Project (Sentosa-Remaja-A. Yani) is an initiative in the development of waterways in Samarinda City. The large-scale development and the high level of risk of work accidents on the project require close monitoring of the Environment-Based Occupational Health and Safety Management System (SMK3L). This study aims to identify potential hazards and analyze the risks of potential hazards and design improvements to reduce the impact of risks using the Hazard Identification Risk Assessment and Risk Control (HIRARC) method. The result of this research is the discovery of 117 potential hazards on projects located in three different locations. Where the drainage work on Jalan Pemuda 1 has a low risk level (low) of 21%, a moderate risk level (moderate) of 38%, a high risk level (high) of 41%, and an extreme risk level (extreme) of 0%. For drainage work on the D.I. Pandjaitan road, it has a low risk level (low) of 18%, a moderate risk level (moderate) of 31%, a high risk level (high) of 51%, and an extreme risk level (extreme) of 0%. And for the level of risk in drainage work on Sentosa road has a low risk level (low) of 18%, a moderate risk level (moderate) of 36%, a high risk level (high) of 46%, and an extreme risk level (extreme) of 0%. Risk control or improvement design focuses on Engineering Control and administration as well as Personal Protective Equipment (PPE).

The spread of COVID-19 cases is taking place in a very fast time so that it has an impact on all sectors. One of the sectors affected is educational institutions. To prevent the spread of COVID-19 cases, all learning processes are carried out with an online learning system. Online learning causes an increase in sitting activities rather than standing activities, specially activity in front of a smartphone or laptop. Sitting activities that last for a long period of time can result in ergonomic risks. The purpose of the study was to analyze posture using the RULA method. Research was conducted on students of three study programs, namely Industrial Engineering, DIV-Health Promotion and Management with respondents 53 people. This study was conducted with a survey to see the posture of students when attending online lectures. From the results of the study obtained that the posture of students with RULA worksheet is in the range of 4 to 7. For rula score is mostly at a score of 6 as many as 24 students (45.28%). For RULA scores with scores of 5 and 7 as many as 10 people (18.86%). And rula score at a value of 4 as many as 9 people (16.98%).

Apples are still manually harvested by workers using ladders and buckets. Though it is known that manual apple harvest would probably lead to occupational injuries (e.g., back, neck, and shoulder strains), there has been little research that focuses on identifying the awkward activities/postures of pickers during the harvest process. After categorizing apple harvest work into 12 activities, this study used the method of Rapid Upper Limb Assessment (RULA) to identify awkward postures/activities that occurred during apple harvest. Awkward activities confirmed include descending a ladder, dumping apples, picking high and low apples on a ladder as well as on the ground, and moving a ladder, with potential reasons for each awkward activity provided. Meanwhile, it was demonstrated that pickers spent approximately 64% of working time under awkward postures that would lead to occupational diseases. In addition, this study analyzed picker harvest efficiency in terms of general and detail manners. The general mode assessed harvest activity in terms of picking and non-picking, with results showing that pickers averagely spent 76% (±7%) of harvest time in picking apples. Further analysis evaluated picking activities in terms of reaching, detaching, and transporting apples, with results showing that pickers spent averagely 30% (±6%) of time in detaching apples, which is the value time during apple harvest. Furthermore, valuable picking time ratio was obtained as the multiplication of picking time ratio and detaching time ratio. With a valuable ratio of 22% (±5%), it theoretically demonstrated the low harvest efficiency of the traditional harvest method. Since a majority of the awkward activities and the low efficiency were because of the ladders/buckets, using a harvest-assist unit may be a potential solution. Additionally, more efforts should be spent on the development of innovative mechanism to replace worker in placing attached apples to the bucket. Once the time for transporting apples is eliminated, the time for reaching apples is also removed, indicating the harvest efficiency would be improved significantly. Keywords: rapid upper limb assessment, awkward postures, apple harvest, safety, ergonomic analysis, harvest efficiency analysis DOI: 10.25165/j.ijabe.20191202.4567 Citation: Zhang Z, Wang Y J, Zhang Z H, Li D P, Wu Z Z, Bai R, et al. Ergonomic and efficiency analysis of conventional apple harvest process. Int J Agric & Biol Eng, 2019; 12(2): 210–217.

Based on hospitals' electronic health records (EHRs), emergency medical responders work in high-stress and hazardous environments, making ergonomics an essential tool for assessing and reducing the risks associated with improper work postures to prevent work-related musculoskeletal disorders (WMSDs). The objective is to evaluate the risk of work postures and recommend improvements to prevent future injuries. In this research, the REBA (rapid entire body assessment) and RULA (rapid upper limb assessment) methods were used to evaluate the ergonomic risks of common work postures of emergency medical services (EMS) personnel during their duties in scenarios such as lifting and moving the patient at the scene, performing medical procedures in the ambulance, and cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) in the ambulance. The results indicated that the ergonomic risks of work postures for emergency medical responders had an average REBA score ranging from 9.20 to 11.49, which falls within a high to very high-risk level. Meanwhile, the average RULA score for upper limb work ranged from 5.50 to 6.61, indicating a risk level that requires necessary changes soon. In summary, this assessment helps us identify potential risks associated with work that could impact the health and safety of medical personnel. It may also contribute to developing preventive measures and improvements in field operations.

Work-related Musculoskeletal Disorders (WMSDs) account for about 34% of non-fatal injuries resulting in days away from work in the construction industry. Particularly in modular construction, due to the repetitive nature of the manual tasks, workers are highly exposed to ergonomic risks. To identify workers’ awkward postures that potentially lead to WMSDs, ergonomic assessment tools have been developed and widely used by ergonomists and Occupational Health and Safety (OHS) practitioners. However, the accuracy of these methods is highly affected by the subjectiveness towards the user’s inputs (e.g., body joint angles), which are difficult to accurately determine in given observation time. Consequently, the imprecise estimates of worker postures may result in inaccurate final results and risk intervention plans. In an effort to address this issue, this study applies fuzzy logic techniques to ergonomic evaluation tools—e.g., Rapid Upper Limb Assessment (RULA). By modelling the range of input values using fuzzy sets rather than discrete boundaries, the imprecision inherit in the inputs has less impact on the final RULA score. As a result, an automated fuzzy expert system has been developed by using membership functions and rules created based on the existing RULA method. An experiment is carried out in order to study the amount of imprecision in joint angle values from human estimations while observing a posture, and also to compare the sensitivity of RULA and the developed fuzzy RULA system to input imprecision. The results reveal that although the fuzzy RULA model has high correlation with RULA, it is more accurate and less sensitive to the variance in input values. The developed model presents a methodology to improve the accuracy of ergonomic assessment methods and handle the uncertainty inherent in ergonomic evaluation, providing the construction industry practitioners with an automated technique to evaluate the ergonomic safety of workers.

Background: Ultrasound is a non-invasive imaging technique that provides real-time evaluation of anatomical structures. While versatile in examining various organs, it can be physically demanding for physicians due to the need for challenging positions, causing musculoskeletal pain and potentially work-related diseases over time. The study aimed to assess the ergonomics of abdominal and breast ultrasound, identify the most challenging anatomical area, determine which part of the examination causes the greatest strain, and evaluate the overall ergonomic impact of the entire procedure. Methods: This single-center study involved 4 radiologists and focused on breast and abdominal ultrasonography. Kinematic data were recorded using the Noraxon Ultium Motion inertial system to track body movements during the ultrasound procedures. Five critical segments were identified while examining the liver, right kidney, left kidney, right breast, and left breast. Ergonomic assessment was performed using the Rapid Upper Limb Assessment (RULA) and Rapid Entire Body Assessment (REBA) methods, evaluating postural risks and physical strain during each segment and the whole procedure. Results: Both RULA and REBA assessments yielded median total scores of 6.0–7.0 and 6.0–7.5, respectively, reflecting consistently medium to high musculoskeletal loading. Examinations of the left breast and left kidney were associated with the most demanding postures. These elevated scores demonstrate that abdominal and breast ultrasonography imposes substantial ergonomic strain, potentially increasing the risk of work-related musculoskeletal disorders. Conclusions: The high ergonomic risk scores indicate an urgent need to modify scanning techniques and workstation design to reduce musculoskeletal strain in sonographers. Implementing ergonomic improvements is essential to prevent occupational injuries and promote long-term health.

Background: Following the widespread approval of laparoscopic procedures, which impose certain restrictions on surgeons’ movements and access to information, extensive research has been conducted on improving ergonomic conditions in this field. Ergonomic studies have indicated high levels of physical workload among laparoscopic surgeons. Objectives: The purpose of this study was to clarify the major ergonomic challenges faced by laparoscopic surgeon, their first assistants, and operating room nurses. Methods: This cross-sectional study recruited 62 volunteers with different levels of experience in minimally invasive surgeries between October 2014 and June 2015. Demographic data and the musculoskeletal disorder were collected by demographic questionnaire and the nordic musculoskeletal questionnaire (NMQ). Laparoscopic cholecystectomy procedures and surgical team members’ position were recorded by camera then evaluated via the rapid upper limb assessment (RULA) method by ErgoIntelligence – UEA software. The data were analyzed using T-test, ANOVA Test, pearson and Kendall correlation coefficient by using Spss 16 software. Results: 60%of participates are male and 40%are female. The Mean age of male and female participates are 43.94 and37.62, respectively. There is a significant relationship between weight, height and work experience with musculoskeletal disorders and jobs and RULA score. The surgeons had the highest score in Rulla method. Pearson correlation coefficient also showed a significant relationship between age and RULA score. Conclusions: The majority of the participants complained of pain and discomfort after laparoscopy, therefore it is imperative to consider ergonomic issues during such procedures.

Zam-Zam Furniture makes bookshelves, shelves, tables, chairs, beds and wardrobes. Working conditions that threaten the safety and health of employees are considered dangerous. Fatigue or problems with the musculoskeletal system or muscles, such as body aches during work or after work, and muscle aches, are signs of danger to worker safety and health. As work is performed in inappropriate postures repeatedly, employees complain about inappropriate work postures. Most of the work is done manually, violating ergonomic rules. This research aims to determine employee work posture using the Rapid Upper Limb Assessment (RULA) method. The results show that one of the employees from CV Zam-Zam Furniture who was evaluated using the RULA method got a final score of 7; this shows that their attitude towards their work is in a dangerous state and that they must improve their position immediately. Keywords: Ergonomics, Final Score, Risk, RULA, Work Posture