<< Back to Ergonomics - Contributing Conditions

Some conditions that may contribute to employees developing MSDs may be identified through review of injury records, job and work analysis, and employee input, and may be obvious and not require further analysis. However, more complex problems may require further analysis before an effective solution can be designed and implemented.

There are a number of assessment tools available that may assist in analyzing jobs. The following are a sampling of non-OSHA, off-site analysis tools you may choose to use. The listing of these tools should not be interpreted, however, as an agency finding in support or rejection of any particular tool.
  • Applications Manual For the Revised NIOSH Lifting Equation. US Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS), National Institute of Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH) Publication No. 94-110, (1994, January 1). Contains a complete description of all terms in the lifting equation with several sample calculations.
  • Evaluation Tools. Washington State Department of Labor and Industries. Links for evaluation tools in PDF and Word format.
    • Lessons for Lifting and Moving Materials [447 KB PDF, 26 pages]. (2000, February). Provides pertinent information for safety professionals and manufacturing supervisors on back anatomy, back injuries and methods to avoid the risks of back injury. A checklist, Lifting Hazard Assessment Worksheet, based on the 1991 NIOSH Revised Lifting Equation, completed with a score of 6 or higher means the lift is unsafe.
  • WAC 296-62-051, Ergonomics (Repealed by ballot initiative 12/4/03) [695 KB PDF, 18 pages]. Washington Administrative Code (WAC), Washington State Labor Department and Industries, (2000). Includes WISHA Checklist for Work-Related Musculoskeletal Disorders. The initiative heightened awareness of ergonomics and generated a broader discussion of this important safety issue. Both sides of the debate have said that use of proper ergonomic techniques belongs in the workplace and benefits employers as well as workers.
  • Manual Materials Handling. Liberty Mutual Research Institute for Safety. These tables were formerly called the Snook tables.
  • Analysis Tools for Ergonomists. University of Southern Florida, College of Public Health, (2007, April 1). Provides tools organized into four categories: Basic, Qualitative, Semi-Quantitative and Quantitative.

Accessibility Assistance: Contact the OSHA Directorate of Technical Support and Emergency Management at (202) 693-2300 for assistance accessing PDF and XLS materials.