Postural Modeling of Palletizing Workers via Simulation based on RULA, NMQ, and NIOSH

The risk factors in palletizing were analyzed using CATIA V5 software, considering the Nordic Musculoskeletal Questionnaire (NMQ), Rapid Upper Limb Assessment (RULA), and NIOSH. The NMQ showed a high prevalence of Musculoskeletal Disorders of 58.3% within 12 months and 33.3% within 7 days. The RULA score was 7, however, when using an assistive device in palletizing and wrapping, the RULA became 3 at low and medium heights lifting, and 4 at the highest level of the loaded pallet lifting, and when lifting at the elbow height. NIOSH results while using the assistive device showed a lifting index of 0.3 at origin, and 0.4 at destination. The paper introduces a new assistive device to industry, which could help reduce the exposure to physical loads among palletizing workers, using the three studied tools: The NMQ, RULA, and NIOSH.