by Brianna Crandall — November 4, 2015—Ergonomics science company Humantech has released the second installment of its new video series “The Bottom Line,” created to summarize current scientific research on ergonomics into a simple message that is immediately applicable to the workplace.
In the new “2 is the New 3” video, Blake McGowan, a certified professional ergonomist and managing consultant, summarizes the recommended new threshold limits for predicting the risk of low-back pain based on the Revised NIOSH Lifting Equation.
The equation, developed by the National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health, determines the safe limits for a specific lifting or lowering task. The equation calculates the recommended weight limit (RWL) and the lifting index (LI). The LI value indicates whether the lift is safe for the working population or if engineering or administrative controls need to be implemented.
“Manual material handling is one of the most common topics I get asked about. The equation is one of the best tools to use,” McGowan said.
In 2014, a team of researchers conducted a study challenging the threshold limits of the lifting index. As a result of their findings, the high-risk category was adjusted to more accurately predict the risk of low back pain.
“2 is the New 3” and the first installment, “The Optimal Distance for Palletizing,” can be viewed on Humantech’s blog.
