Analysis Introduction

This section gives some basic background information on the analysis of working postures in the workplace. It also describes the analyses types available.

Basics

Some analyses require you to record two postures (initial and final posture) while others use the current posture of the manikin as a base for the analysis.

As soon as the postures are set and recorded (if necessary) you can call each guideline individually and apply the analysis. The result of each analysis appears at the bottom of the corresponding analysis window. Each dialog box allows you to specify the criterion required for that specific task such as duration and frequencies.

Note: All the analyses are real-time based. This means that if you modify the selected manikin's posture, the current analysis score is automatically updated.

Important: You must select one manikin in the scenario to be able to conduct the analysis.

RULA Analysis

This describes the RULA Analysis standards.

Standard Explanation
NIOSH 1981 In 1981, NIOSH (National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health) published an algebraic equation for analyzing two-handed symmetrical lifts. The lifting is based on a two-handed symmetrical lift with no upper body twisting, and the distance between hands is less than 75 cm (30 inches). This analysis requires a good coupling between the load and the hands as well as between the shoes and the floor surface.
NIOSH 1991 The NIOSH 1991 equation also known as "the revised lifting equation" deals with two-handed manual lifting tasks. The equation handles a certain level of asymmetry. This analysis assumes an adequate coupling between the shoes and the floor surface.
Snook and Ciriello

The Snook and Ciriello lifting and lowering analysis tool is based on a study done by S. Snook and V. Ciriello. As with the NIOSH equations, this analysis is based on two input postures. The lifting is based on a two-handed symmetrical lift. The action (lifting or lowering) is determined by the displacement of the load in the scene.

There are three levels of lifting and lowering with approximately 30 inches between each.


  • from floor to knuckle height
  • from knuckle height to shoulder height
  • from shoulder height to arm reach
  • The horizontal distance is calculated from the chest to the mid-part of the hand grasp.

Push Pull Analysis

This describes the Push Pull Analysis standards.

The Snook and Ciriello Push-Pull Analysis tool is based on a study done by S. Snook and V. Ciriello at Liberty Mutual Insurance Company. This analysis allows you to compare actual data for a "pushing/pulling" task to what is considered as a safe force to perform that task.

There are six predefined distances for push: 7, 25, 50, 100, 150, and 200 foot push

The gender as well as the vertical height of hands are extracted from the selected manikin in the scene.

See also Concepts of the Push-Pull Analysis, Reports - Push/Pull.

There are 3 steps defined for the vertical height of hands for the pushing task:

  • from floor to 25 inches
  • from floor to 35 inches
  • from floor to 53 inches

Carry Analysis

This describes the Carry Analysis standards.

The Snook and Ciriello Carry Analysis tool is based on a study done by S. Snook and V. Ciriello at Liberty Mutual Insurance Company. This analysis allows you to compare actual data for a carrying task to what is considered as a maximum acceptable weight of carry to perform that task.

See also Concepts of the Carry Analysis.

This analysis considers two vertical height distances of hands for the carrying task:

  • For males: from floor to 31 inches, from floor to 44 inches
  • For females: from floor to 28 inches, from floor to 41 inches

BioMechanics Single Action Analysis

This describes the BioMechanics Single Action Analysis.

This ergonomic tool measures biomechanical data on a worker in a given pose. From the current manikin posture, the About the Biomechanics Single Action Analysis tool calculates and outputs information such as the lumbar spinal loads (abdominal force, abdominal pressure, body movements) and the forces and moments on manikin joints. All the output incorporated in the model are based on research results and algorithms published by the scientific community.

The forces (loads) acting on the manikin's hands are taken into account in the biomechanical analysis; these forces represent the load of carry, push, lift/lower, or pull, depending on the scenario, and are available for the hands only. Both the Load Properties and the Biomechanics Single Action Analysis dialog boxes can be open at the same time. The last analysis is updated when the load is modified.