CIEE Ergonomic Principles & Evaluation Techniques 2 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: Which postural analysis tool uses a scoring system that categorizes body regions into Group A (trunk, neck, legs) and Group B (upper arm, lower arm, wrist) to assess musculoskeletal risk?
- RULA
- REBA (Correct answer)
- OWAS
- NIOSH Lifting Equation
Correct answer: REBA
REBA (Rapid Entire Body Assessment) divides the body into Group A (trunk, neck, legs) and Group B (upper arm, lower arm, wrist) to generate a risk score.
Question 2: When performing a NIOSH Lifting Equation analysis, what does a Lifting Index (LI) value greater than 1.0 indicate?
- The lift is within safe limits for most workers
- The lift exceeds recommended weight limits and poses elevated injury risk (Correct answer)
- The lift requires a team lift of two or more workers
- The lift must be immediately halted per OSHA regulation
Correct answer: The lift exceeds recommended weight limits and poses elevated injury risk
An LI greater than 1.0 indicates that the recommended weight limit is exceeded, increasing musculoskeletal injury risk for some workers.
Question 3: In ergonomic evaluation, the term 'anthropometry' refers to which of the following?
- Measurement of environmental factors such as noise and lighting
- Scientific measurement of the human body and its dimensions (Correct answer)
- Assessment of cognitive workload during task performance
- Evaluation of cumulative trauma disorders in a workforce
Correct answer: Scientific measurement of the human body and its dimensions
Anthropometry is the science of measuring the size, shape, and proportions of the human body to inform ergonomic design.
Question 4: A job requires sustained pinch grip force exceeding 2 kg for more than 10% of the work cycle. According to ergonomic risk criteria, this task would be classified as:
- Low risk requiring no intervention
- Moderate risk requiring engineering controls within 12 months
- High risk requiring priority ergonomic intervention (Correct answer)
- Acceptable if workers rotate every 2 hours
Correct answer: High risk requiring priority ergonomic intervention
Sustained pinch grip forces above 2 kg for significant portions of the work cycle are classified as high ergonomic risk requiring prompt intervention.
Question 5: Which of the following best describes the concept of 'neutral posture' in industrial ergonomics?
- A posture in which the worker is seated rather than standing
- The posture in which joints are positioned at mid-range, minimizing stress on muscles and tendons (Correct answer)
- A fixed posture maintained throughout the entire work shift
- The posture recommended for lifting tasks above shoulder height
Correct answer: The posture in which joints are positioned at mid-range, minimizing stress on muscles and tendons
Neutral posture places joints at mid-range positions, reducing mechanical stress on muscles, tendons, and nerves.
Question 6: During a worksite analysis, an ergonomist identifies that a worker bends their wrist into ulnar deviation repeatedly when using a hand tool. The most effective first-line engineering control would be to:
- Require the worker to wear a wrist splint
- Redesign or replace the tool to allow a more neutral wrist posture (Correct answer)
- Increase rest break frequency to reduce exposure time
- Train the worker to self-correct wrist posture
Correct answer: Redesign or replace the tool to allow a more neutral wrist posture
Engineering controls such as tool redesign to promote neutral wrist posture are the most effective and preferred hierarchy-of-controls solution.
Question 7: The 'forearm reach envelope' concept in workstation design is primarily used to:
- Determine safe lifting limits for overhead tasks
- Define the area within which controls and materials should be placed to minimize awkward reaches (Correct answer)
- Establish acceptable noise levels at the workstation
- Calculate energy expenditure during repetitive tasks
Correct answer: Define the area within which controls and materials should be placed to minimize awkward reaches
The forearm reach envelope defines the functional workspace where tools and materials should be located to avoid awkward shoulder and trunk postures.
CIEE Ergonomic Principles & Evaluation Techniques 2
Which postural analysis tool uses a scoring system that categorizes body regions into Group A (trunk, neck, legs) and Group B (upper arm, lower arm, wrist) to assess musculoskeletal risk?