Analysis of Manual Lifting Tasks: A Qualitative Alternative to the NIOSH Work Practices Guide

A new method for evaluating ergonomic stresses on lifting tasks has been developed. This method utilizes the general procedures and hazard classification categories described in the National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health's (NIOSH) Work Practices Guide for Manual Lifting. The quantitative measurements of workplace dimensions and computations used by the NIOSH method to classify a job as "acceptable," "administrative controls required," or "hazardous" have been eliminated in favor of a table look-up procedure. A computer simulation was performed to compare results generated by the new method to results generated by the NIOSH method. The results of this simulation found that the new method was unbiased and was reasonably precise for most lifting activities.