CIEE Task Analysis & Job Demands 4 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: An ergonomist is analyzing a task where the worker must twist the trunk 45° while lifting. In the NIOSH Revised Lifting Equation, this is addressed by the:
- Asymmetry Multiplier (AM) (Correct answer)
- Horizontal Multiplier (HM)
- Vertical Multiplier (VM)
- Frequency Multiplier (FM)
Correct answer: Asymmetry Multiplier (AM)
The Asymmetry Multiplier penalizes lifts that deviate from the sagittal plane, accounting for trunk rotation (asymmetry angle) during the task.
Question 2: Which physical demand category in the US Department of Labor classification system requires the ability to lift up to 100 lbs occasionally and 50 lbs frequently?
- Very Heavy (Correct answer)
- Heavy
- Medium
- Light
Correct answer: Very Heavy
DOL classifies 'Very Heavy' work as lifting over 100 lbs occasionally and over 50 lbs frequently, distinguishing it from the 'Heavy' category (50 lbs occasional, 25 lbs frequent).
Question 3: During a task analysis, a CIEE finds that workers handle loads with only fingertip contact and no wrap of the hand. The NIOSH Coupling Multiplier value assigned for this grip type is:
- 0.90 (poor coupling) (Correct answer)
- 1.00 (fair coupling)
- 1.15 (good coupling)
- 0.75 (very poor coupling)
Correct answer: 0.90 (poor coupling)
Fingertip grip with no handle wrap is classified as 'poor' coupling in NIOSH guidelines, receiving a coupling multiplier of 0.90 which reduces the RWL.
Question 4: A job safety analysis (JSA) differs from a task analysis primarily because the JSA focuses on:
- Identifying hazards and preventive measures for each task step (Correct answer)
- Quantifying biomechanical exposure for MSD risk scoring
- Measuring time-on-task for efficiency benchmarking
- Documenting cognitive demands and decision trees
Correct answer: Identifying hazards and preventive measures for each task step
A JSA systematically identifies hazards associated with each step of a job and prescribes controls, whereas task analysis broadly documents how a job is performed.
Question 5: In the context of a physical demands analysis (PDA), 'positional tolerance' refers to:
- The duration a worker can maintain a given posture without rest (Correct answer)
- The maximum load a worker can lift at a specific height
- The acceptable range of motion for a given joint
- The frequency at which a posture must change to avoid injury
Correct answer: The duration a worker can maintain a given posture without rest
Positional tolerance measures how long a worker can sustain a specific body position (e.g., kneeling, reaching overhead) before requiring relief, which is critical for matching job demands to worker capability.
Question 6: When conducting a task analysis for a return-to-work evaluation, the ergonomist compares job physical demands to the worker's functional capacity results primarily to:
- Determine if a job match exists or identify necessary accommodations (Correct answer)
- Document OSHA recordable incident details
- Establish workers' compensation settlement values
- Certify the worker's maximum lifting capacity for legal purposes
Correct answer: Determine if a job match exists or identify necessary accommodations
The core purpose of comparing physical demands to functional capacity is to identify whether the worker can safely perform the job and what modifications or accommodations may be needed.
Question 7: A task analysis reveals that a sewing operator makes a wrist deviation exceeding 20° combined with pinch grip 12,000 times per shift. Using Moore & Garg's Strain Index, which two intensity factors are most critically elevated?
- Intensity of exertion and wrist posture (Correct answer)
- Duration per exertion and speed of work
- Efforts per minute and duration of task per day
- Hand/wrist posture and speed of work
Correct answer: Intensity of exertion and wrist posture
Moore & Garg's Strain Index weights intensity of exertion and wrist/forearm posture as two of its six multipliers, and a pinch grip combined with >20° deviation elevates both significantly.
CIEE Task Analysis & Job Demands 4
An ergonomist is analyzing a task where the worker must twist the trunk 45° while lifting.
In the NIOSH Revised Lifting Equation, this is addressed by the: