OHST OHST Workplace Ergonomics & Human Factors 2 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: What is the NIOSH Lifting Equation used for?
- Calculating maximum team lift weights
- Determining a recommended weight limit for manual lifting tasks (Correct answer)
- Setting OSHA citation thresholds for lifting violations
- Estimating workers' compensation costs for back injuries
Correct answer: Determining a recommended weight limit for manual lifting tasks
The NIOSH Lifting Equation calculates a Recommended Weight Limit for a specific lifting task by accounting for factors such as frequency, distance, and posture.
Question 2: Which body region is most commonly affected by work-related repetitive strain injuries?
- Lower back and upper extremities (Correct answer)
- Feet and ankles
- Neck and scalp
- Knees and hips
Correct answer: Lower back and upper extremities
The lower back and upper extremities — including shoulders, elbows, wrists, and hands — are the most frequently reported sites of work-related musculoskeletal disorders.
Question 3: What is an administrative control for ergonomic hazards?
- Purchasing anti-fatigue mats
- Redesigning the workstation layout
- Implementing job rotation to reduce exposure time (Correct answer)
- Installing mechanical lift assists
Correct answer: Implementing job rotation to reduce exposure time
Job rotation is an administrative control that reduces an individual worker's exposure to a specific ergonomic risk factor by spreading the exposure across multiple workers.
Question 4: What does 'anthropometry' mean in the context of ergonomics?
- The study of human behavior at work
- The measurement of human body dimensions used to design workplaces and tools (Correct answer)
- A method for evaluating cognitive workload
- The analysis of accident statistics
Correct answer: The measurement of human body dimensions used to design workplaces and tools
Anthropometry is the science of measuring human body dimensions, and ergonomists use this data to design workstations, tools, and equipment that fit a range of workers.
Question 5: Which tool is commonly used to evaluate ergonomic risk levels in a workplace?
- Job Hazard Analysis (JHA)
- RULA (Rapid Upper Limb Assessment) (Correct answer)
- Fault Tree Analysis (FTA)
- Process Hazard Analysis (PHA)
Correct answer: RULA (Rapid Upper Limb Assessment)
RULA (Rapid Upper Limb Assessment) is a widely used observational tool that scores posture, force, and repetition to identify upper limb ergonomic risk.
Question 6: What is 'cumulative trauma disorder' (CTD)?
- A single acute injury from one traumatic event
- A progressive musculoskeletal condition caused by repeated microtrauma over time (Correct answer)
- A psychological disorder from workplace stress
- A skin condition from chemical exposure
Correct answer: A progressive musculoskeletal condition caused by repeated microtrauma over time
Cumulative trauma disorders develop gradually from repeated small injuries or stresses to muscles, tendons, and nerves over time rather than from a single incident.
OHST OHST Workplace Ergonomics & Human Factors 2
What is the NIOSH Lifting Equation used for?