New procedure for assessing sequential manual lifting jobs using the revised NIOSH lifting equation

Abstract

A sequential manual lifting job is defined as a job where workers rotate between a series of manual lifting rotation slots or elements at specified time intervals during the course of a work shift. The original NIOSH lifting equation lacked a method for assessing the physical demands of these types of jobs. This paper presents the sequential lifting index (SLI), a new conceptual method for assessing the physical demands for sequential manual lifting jobs. The new method is similar to the composite lifting index (CLI) method that was provided by NIOSH for assessing multi-task jobs. The SLI method expands upon the methods originally provided by NIOSH by providing a simple method for estimating the relative magnitude of physical stress for sequential manual lifting jobs. It should also be useful in assisting safety and health specialists to prioritize or rank hazardous jobs within a plant.