Rapid Upper Limb Assessment(RULA)

INSY 3021Spring 2005

History and Benefit of RULA Developed by Dr. E. Nigel Corlett and Dr.

Lynn McAtamney of University of Nottingham’s Institute for Occupational Ergonomics

Developed to “investigate the exposure of individual workers to risk factors associated with work-related upper limb disorders”

“It is straight forward and can be used with a minimum of training.”

What is RULA RULA is a quick survey method for use

in ergonomic investigations of workplaces where MSD’s are reported.

RULA is a screening tool that assesses biomechanical and postural loading on the body.

RULA focuses on the neck, trunk and upper limbs, and is ideal for sedentary workers e.g. computer workplaces.

What is RULA (cont.) RULA has been validated on groups

of computer users and sewing machine operators.

RULA is quick and easy to complete. RULA scores indicate the level of

intervention required to reduce MSD risks.

RULA compliments other ergonomic methods.

RULA Scoring Classification CLASS I (1 or 2)

Posture is acceptable if it is not maintained or repeated for long periods

CLASS II (3 or 4) Further investigation is needed

CLASS III (5 or 6) Further investigation and changes are required

soon CLASS IV (6+)

Investigate and change now

Interpretation of RULA

Gives a total job assessment that suggests directions for modifying body positions to reduce the possibility of hazards

Does not provide exact Engineering controls or work activity changes.

How to Do a RULA Estimation

RULA is a simple diagnostic tool that allows you to survey various tasks involving the upper limbs at work.

Focuses on use of arms, wrists, position of the head, and the posture of the upper body.

RULA Estimation (cont.) Procedure

Records the position of the upper limbs and the head, trunk and legs with two separate number codes.

The codes are entered into the relevant boxes.

An initial score is found in the appropriate tables, A and B.

The score is modified according to the use of the limbs.

RULA Estimation (cont.) The final A and B scores are

calculated. Using the final scores a Grand Score,

using table C, is determined.

Upper Arm

Upper Arms

Add 1 if shoulder is raised Add 1 if upper arm is abducted Subtract 1 if leaning or supporting

the weight of the arm.

Lower Arm

Add 1 if working across the midline of the body or out to the side.

Wrist

Wrist Twist Mainly in

handshake

Twisting away from handshake position.

Neck

Neck Twist

Add 1 if neck is twisting

Neck Side-Bend

Add 1 if neck is side-bending.

Trunk

Trunk Twisting

Add 1 if trunk is twisting.

Trunk Side-Bend

Add 1 if trunk is side-bending.

Lower Limbs Legs and feet are

well supported and in an evenly balanced posture (add 1).

Legs and feet are not evenly balanced or supported (add 2).

Muscle Use Score

Raise the score by 1 if the posture is” Mainly static, e.g. held for longer than

10 minutes. Repeated more than 4 times/minute.

Forces or Load Score

0No resistance or less than 4 lbs intermittent load or force

14-20 lbs intermittent load or force

24-20 lbs static or repeated load or force

3More than 20 lbs static or repeated loads or forces. Shock or forces with rapid buildup.

Score Sheet

Upper Arm

Lower Arm

Wrist

Wrist Twist

Posture Score A

Muscle Use

Force /Load

Score A

Look Up in Table C for Gran

d Score

+ + =

Neck

Trunk

Legs

Posture

Score B

Muscle Use

Force / Load

Score B

+ + =

Upper Arm Lower Arm

Wrist

1 2 3 4

Wrist Twist Wrist Twist Wrist Twist Wrist Twist

1 2 1 2 1 2 1 2

 1 

1 1 2 2 2 2 3 3 3

2 2 2 2 2 3 3 3 3

3 2 3 2 3 3 3 4 4

 2 

1 2 2 2 3 3 3 4 4

2 2 2 2 3 3 3 4 4

3 2 3 3 3 3 4 4 5

 3 

1 2 3 3 3 4 4 5 5

2 2 3 3 3 4 4 5 5

3 2 3 3 4 4 4 5 5

 4 

1 3 4 4 4 4 4 5 5

2 3 4 4 4 4 4 5 5

3 3 4 4 4 5 5 6 6

 5 

1 5 5 5 5 5 6 6 7

2 5 6 6 6 6 7 7 7

3 6 6 6 7 7 7 7 8

 6

 

1 7 7 7 7 7 8 8 9

2 7 8 8 8 8 9 9 9

3 9 9 9 9 9 9 9 9

Arms and Wrist Score

Neck, Trunk, and Legs Score

Neck 1 2 1 2 1 2 1 2 1 2 1 2

1 1 2 1 2 2 3 3 4 4 4 4 4

2 1 2 2 2 3 4 4 5 5 5 5 5

3 2 2 2 3 3 4 4 5 5 5 6 6

4 2 3 2 3 3 4 4 5 5 6 6 6

TRUNK

1

Legs

2

Legs

3

Legs

4

Legs

5

Legs

6

Legs

RULA Estimation

RULA Estimation (cont.)

References

McAtamney, L. & Corlett, E.N. (1993) RULA: a survey method for the investigation of work-related upper limb disorders, Applied Ergonomics, 24, 91-99

http://www.ergonomics.co.uk/Rula/Ergo/index.html

Questions & Comments