AEP Assessment and Evaluation 2 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: Which observational method involves recording the posture of a worker at random intervals throughout the shift?
- Continuous time study
- Work sampling (Correct answer)
- NIOSH lifting equation
- Snook tables
Correct answer: Work sampling
Work sampling captures posture or activity data at random intervals to estimate the proportion of time spent in various positions.
Question 2: The Strain Index (SI) primarily assesses risk for musculoskeletal disorders of which body region?
- Lower back
- Neck and shoulder
- Distal upper extremity (Correct answer)
- Knee and ankle
Correct answer: Distal upper extremity
The Strain Index was developed specifically to evaluate risk of distal upper extremity disorders such as carpal tunnel syndrome and tendinitis.
Question 3: In a psychophysical assessment, what does the 'maximum acceptable weight' represent?
- The heaviest load ever lifted in the facility
- The load a worker can handle for 8 hours without fatigue beyond accepted limits (Correct answer)
- The OSHA regulatory weight limit
- The load at which injury occurs
Correct answer: The load a worker can handle for 8 hours without fatigue beyond accepted limits
Maximum acceptable weight is the load workers select as manageable over a full shift without unacceptable fatigue, based on psychophysical methodology.
Question 4: Which sensor type is most appropriate for measuring grip force applied to a hand tool?
- Goniometer
- Accelerometer
- Force transducer (Correct answer)
- Electrogoniometer
Correct answer: Force transducer
Force transducers (load cells) measure compressive or tensile forces, making them suitable for quantifying grip force on tools.
Question 5: When evaluating a repetitive task, which parameter of the ACGIH TLV for hand activity level (HAL) reflects the duty cycle of exertion?
- Peak hand force
- Frequency of exertions
- Hand activity level (Correct answer)
- Exposure duration
Correct answer: Hand activity level
The Hand Activity Level (HAL) score in the ACGIH TLV encapsulates the frequency and duty cycle of hand exertions on a 0–10 scale.
Question 6: An ergonomist reviews video footage and scores each body region independently with a final score driving action level — which tool is being used?
- QEC (Quick Exposure Check)
- REBA (Rapid Entire Body Assessment) (Correct answer)
- PATH (Posture, Activity, Tools, Handling)
- BRIEF survey
Correct answer: REBA (Rapid Entire Body Assessment)
REBA scores the trunk, neck, legs, upper arm, lower arm, and wrist separately and combines them into a single action level score.
Question 7: The Discomfort Survey is best categorized as which type of ergonomic assessment tool?
- Biomechanical analysis tool
- Physiological measurement instrument
- Self-report symptom and discomfort questionnaire (Correct answer)
- Direct observational checklist
Correct answer: Self-report symptom and discomfort questionnaire
Discomfort surveys are self-report instruments that capture the location and intensity of worker-perceived musculoskeletal discomfort.
AEP Assessment and Evaluation 2
Which observational method involves recording the posture of a worker at random intervals throughout the shift?