MHC Ergonomics & Human Factors 2 â Questions and Answers
Question 1: Which work practice best reduces cumulative trauma disorders (CTDs) in a material handling facility?
- Requiring workers to maintain a constant pace throughout the shift
- Incorporating scheduled micro-breaks and job rotation (Correct answer)
- Limiting the number of workers on a shift to increase efficiency
- Assigning the heaviest tasks to the most experienced workers
Correct answer: Incorporating scheduled micro-breaks and job rotation
Scheduled micro-breaks and job rotation reduce prolonged exposure to repetitive motions and awkward postures, lowering the risk of CTDs.
Question 2: What is the primary purpose of a 'lift assist device' in a warehouse?
- To increase a worker's grip strength
- To reduce the manual force required to lift and position loads (Correct answer)
- To train workers in proper body mechanics
- To track inventory weights in real time
Correct answer: To reduce the manual force required to lift and position loads
Lift assist devices (vacuum lifters, scissor lifts, jib cranes) reduce the physical effort workers must exert, directly lowering injury risk.
Question 3: Awkward postures in material handling are defined as positions that:
- Keep joints within their normal range of motion
- Deviate joints significantly from neutral alignment (Correct answer)
- Require two workers to complete a task safely
- Are performed at waist height with minimal reach
Correct answer: Deviate joints significantly from neutral alignment
Awkward postures deviate joints from neutral alignmentâsuch as bending, twisting, or overreachingâincreasing stress on muscles, tendons, and joints.
Question 4: Which anthropometric principle is most important when designing ergonomic workstations for material handling?
- Designing for the average worker
- Designing for the 5th to 95th percentile range of workers (Correct answer)
- Designing for the tallest worker on the team
- Designing for the lowest-paid worker classification
Correct answer: Designing for the 5th to 95th percentile range of workers
Workstations should accommodate the 5th to 95th percentile of the workforce to ensure the majority of workers can use the station safely and comfortably.
Question 5: Which symptom is a common early warning sign of a work-related musculoskeletal disorder that workers should report immediately?
- Occasional fatigue at the end of a full shift
- Persistent tingling, numbness, or aching in the hands or back (Correct answer)
- Brief muscle soreness following new physical activity
- Mild hunger during long shifts without scheduled breaks
Correct answer: Persistent tingling, numbness, or aching in the hands or back
Persistent tingling, numbness, or achingâespecially if they continue off the jobâindicate developing tissue damage and should be reported early for intervention.
Question 6: In ergonomic risk assessment, what does the acronym 'RULA' stand for?
- Rapid Upper Limb Assessment (Correct answer)
- Repetitive Use Load Analysis
- Risk-Utility Lift Adjustment
- Rotation and Unloading Labor Audit
Correct answer: Rapid Upper Limb Assessment
RULA (Rapid Upper Limb Assessment) is an observational tool that evaluates upper body posture, muscle use, and force to identify ergonomic risk levels.
Question 7: When manually pushing or pulling a cart, which technique best reduces lower-back and shoulder strain?
- Pulling the cart while walking backward
- Keeping elbows bent and using body weight rather than arm strength (Correct answer)
- Extending arms fully forward and leaning over the handle
- Gripping the handle at or above shoulder height
Correct answer: Keeping elbows bent and using body weight rather than arm strength
Bent elbows and using body weight shifts the effort to larger muscle groups and the legs, reducing isolated strain on the back and shoulders.
MHC Ergonomics & Human Factors 2
Which work practice best reduces cumulative trauma disorders (CTDs) in a material handling facility?