Recommended weight limit

RVA (Raad voor Accreditatie), 1974 RWL, see Recommended weight limit... 

The International Labour Organization has recommended weight limits for manually transported loads by gender and age. For adult male workers the recommended maximum permissible weight is 55 kg (1211b). For adult women the recommendation is substantially less than permitted for males. The minimum recommended age for sustained manual transport of loads is 18 years. 

Figure 15-2. Illustration of dimension involved in a lifting task and then used in calculating the Recommended Weight Limit (RWL).

Require lifting aids, whether mechanical ones or coworkers, when exceeding NIOSH-recommended weight limits. 

The NIOSH equation determines the Recommended Weight Limit (RWL) as from six reduction factors from the constant of load. It is the Lifting Index (LI) that determines and quantifies the risk of musculoskeletal injury. 

The Lifting Index (LI) for posture and load calculated with the hands placed at 19 cm from the ground was 2.30 for men and 2.78 for women, both classified as High Risk to the lifting a fertilizer bag with 25.0 kg and resulting in a Recommended Weight Limit (RWL) of the order of 11.0 and... 

ABSTRACT A proper JHA requires much more than observing a job to see if it looks hard . The purpose of this study is to break down a task into its component steps, determine the hazards associated with each step, and focus on the ergonomic connection of those hazards. In order to quantify the risks of musculoskeletal disorders, we calculated lifting tasks and compared those to minimal averages. The results indicated that multiple job tasks were in excess of the recommended weight limits for those tasks. Implementing controls is necessary for reduction of these injuries. 

After breaking this task down, it was evident that it consisted of risk factors such as repetitive motion, awkward posture and foree. Quantification also assisted in determining that this job was in need of ergonomic improvements. Using the revised NIOSH lifting equation, we calculated the recommended weight limit for the rotor inspection and stacking. Specifically, we chose the worst position for the task. 

After calculating the back compressive force for the lift, we decided to run the NIOSH RLE. Although this equation is not intended for patient lifts, it can be used when certain conditions are met, such as the patient is non-combative, the amount of weight the nurse is lifting can be estimated, the lift is smooth, and the lift is fairly consistent. When used for a patient lift, the recommended weight limit changes from the regular 51 pounds to 35 pounds. 

RWL = recommended weight limit (lower than that acceptable to at least 90% of females)... 

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