RULA - A RAPID UPPER LIMB ASSESSMENT TOOL

Lynn McAtamney and Nigel Corlett
COPE Occupational Health and Ergonomic Services Ltd, Business Park, Technology Drive, Beeston, Nottingham, NG8 2RB, U.K.
Institute for Occupational Ergonomics, University of Nottingham, University Park, Nottingham, NG7 2RD, U.K.

Rapid Upper Limb Assessment (RULA) is a survey method developed foruse in ergonomic investigations of workplaces where work related upper limb disorders are reported. RULA is a screening tool that assesses biomechanical and postural loading on the whole body with particular attention to the neck, trunk and upper limbs. Reliability studies have been conducted using RULA on groups of VDU users and sewing machine operators. A RULA assessment requires little time to complete and the scoring generates an action list which indicated the level of intervention required to reduce the risks of injury due to physical loading on the operator. RULA is intended to be used as part of a broader ergonomic study.