Knowledge Center

Performance of the same motion or motion pattern every few seconds for 2 hours continuously, or more than a total of 4 hours, excluding mandatory breaks.

• The job requires rapid repetition of the same movements which stresses the body parts performing the motion.
• Different parts of body may be affected, depending on the motion, fingers, arms, neck, knees or ankles.

• Inserting and tightening 4 bolts in 15 seconds on a moving conveyor line.
• Intensive data entry requiring rapid repeated keying.
• Climbing stairs.

Unsupported fixed or awkward work posture for more than 1 hour continuously, or a total of 4 hours, excluding mandatory breaks.

• Unsupported fixed postures involve holding the arms, back or feet in the same position without support.
• Awkward postures become a risk factor when the wrist or neck is noticeably bent; the elbow is away from the body (indicates shoulder movement); the back is bent forward, backward or to the side; the knee is bent to kneel or squat.

• Keying with the fingers and no arm movement, and no forearm support.
• Sitting without back support.
• Sitting with the feet dangling.
• Bending the neck back to see while painting a ceiling.
• Reaching to get items more than 20 inches away from the worker.
• Working overhead.
• Operating a foot pedal while standing.
• Picking/weeding crops near the ground (not raised beds) by hand or with short handled tools.

Use of vibrating or impact tools or equipment for more than 1 hour of continuous use, or more than a total of 2 hours.

• Jobs that involve vibration exposure from hand tools such as sanders, grinders and chain saws.
• Whole body vibration occurs when standing or sitting while operating a truck or other heavy machinery without vibration dampening over rough or uneven surfaces.

• Polishing metal parts to a high luster.
• Grinding burrs from machined parts.
• Cutting out window and door openings with a power saw.
• Removing mineral deposits with a chipping hammer.
• Operating an excavator, forestry tractor, or forklift on uneven ground.

Using forceful hand exertions for more than a total of 2 hours.

• Holding an object that weights 10 pounds or more in the hand.
• Pinching an object with 2 or more pounds of force.

• Holding a gallon of whole milk in a plastic container.
• Holding a gallon can of paint.
• Pinching open a small binder clip.

Unassisted frequent or forceful manual handling.

• Lift more than 35 pounds in an awkward posture;
• Lift more than 35 pounds near the body more than 25 times;
• Lift 15 pounds or more 2 feet in front of the body more than 25 times;
• Repeated lifting of more than 10 pounds for more than 1 hour;
• Pushing or pulling with more than 20 pounds of force for more than 1 hour.

• Lifting, pushing or pulling adult patients.
• Repeatedly lifting a case with four gallons of water.
• Repeatedly lifting 20 pound items from the trunk of a car.
• Pushing a shopping cart loaded with 5 (40 pound) bags of dog food, stopping and starting for more than one hour.