ASP Ergonomics & Occupational Health Flashcards

Which ergonomic risk factor is associated with the force exerted on the body during repetitive lifting tasks?

Answer: Forceful exertion

Forceful exertion is an ergonomic risk factor involving the muscular force required to perform tasks such as heavy lifting or gripping.

What is the primary purpose of the NIOSH Lifting Equation?

Answer: Determine the recommended weight limit for manual lifting tasks

The NIOSH Lifting Equation calculates a Recommended Weight Limit (RWL) to help reduce the risk of low back injuries from manual material handling.

Which occupational health condition results from prolonged exposure to repetitive motion, forceful exertion, and awkward postures and affects the muscles, tendons, and nerves?

Answer: Musculoskeletal disorder (MSD)

Musculoskeletal disorders (MSDs) are injuries to muscles, tendons, ligaments, nerves, and joints caused by ergonomic stressors like repetition and awkward postures.

What is 'whole-body vibration' as an ergonomic hazard?

Answer: Vibration transmitted to the entire body through a seated or standing surface, such as from operating heavy equipment

Whole-body vibration is transmitted through a supporting surface to the entire body and is commonly experienced by workers operating forklifts, trucks, or construction equipment.

Which of the following is an administrative control for reducing ergonomic risk factors?

Answer: Rotating workers between tasks to reduce repetitive strain exposure

Job rotation is an administrative control that limits the time any single worker is exposed to ergonomic stressors by alternating task assignments.

What does the 'lifting index' (LI) in the NIOSH Lifting Equation represent?

Answer: A relative estimate of physical stress associated with a specific lifting task

The Lifting Index is a ratio of the actual load lifted to the Recommended Weight Limit, providing a relative estimate of musculoskeletal stress.