NIOSHTIC-2 Publications Search

The variable lifting index (VLI): a new method for evaluating variable lifting tasks using the revised NIOSH lifting equation.

Waters T; Occhipinti E; Colombini D; Alvarez E; Hernandez A

Proceedings of the 17th World Congress on Ergonomics (IEA2009), Beijing, China, August 9-14, 2009. Madison, WI: International Ergonomics Association, 2009 Aug; :1-3

20035849

This paper describes the concept behind the Variable Lifting Index (VLI), a new approach for analyzing the physical demands of highly variable lifting tasks using the Revised NIOSH Lifting Equation formulas. The VLI procedures involve collecting lifting equation data on a subset of the lifting tasks to be analyzed. The Frequency Independent Lifting Index (FILI) is calculated for each of the tasks selected for analysis and then the each lift is fitted into a fixed number of FILI categories (one to nine, depending upon task variability). The average values for each FILI category and the corresponding frequency of lifts in each category are then used as input into the Composite Lifting Index (CLI) equation previously published by NIOSH. This paper only focuses on the concept for the VLI equation. A simplified process for obtaining the data from the worksite is described in another paper (Colombini et al., 2009).

Ergonomics; Workers; Worker-health; Occupational-health; Occupational-exposure; Manual-lifting; Manual-materials-handling; Computer-models

20090809

Conference/Symposia Proceedings

2009

DART

Wholesale and Retail Trade

Proceedings of the 17th World Congress on Ergonomics (IEA2009), Beijing, China, August 9-14, 2009

OH