NIOSH Lifting Equation practice questions for the ASP exam
ASP11 Domain 3: Ergonomics (3.7 Ergonomic analysis methods (NIOSH Lifting Equation); 1.9 Manual lift calculations). 4 free questions below. Every answer quotes and links the formula source it rests on.
A lifting task has H = 15 in, V = 20 in, D = 20 in, and an asymmetry angle of 30°. The frequency multiplier is 0.75 and the coupling multiplier is 1. Using the Revised NIOSH Lifting Equation (U.S. customary units), what is the Recommended Weight Limit (RWL)?
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Answer: B. 19.4 lb
RWL = 51 x HM x VM x DM x AM x FM x CM. HM = 10/15 = 0.667, VM = 1 - 0.0075|20 - 30| = 0.925, DM = 0.82 + 1.8/20 = 0.910, AM = 1 - 0.0032 x 30 = 0.904. RWL = 19.4 lb. Leaving out FM and CM is a common mistake.
“The RWL is defined by the following equation: RWL = LC X HM X VM X DM X AM X FM X CM ... Load Constant LC 23kg 51lb; Horizontal Multiplier HM (25/H) (10/H); Vertical Multiplier VM 1-(.003|V-75|) 1-(.0075|V-30|); Distance Multiplier DM .82 + (4.5/D) .82 + (1.8/D); Asymmetric Multiplier AM 1-(.0032A) 1-(.0032A)”
A lifting task has H = 12 in, V = 40 in, D = 25 in, and an asymmetry angle of 30°. The frequency multiplier is 0.85 and the coupling multiplier is 1. Using the Revised NIOSH Lifting Equation (U.S. customary units), what is the Recommended Weight Limit (RWL)?
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Answer: A. 26.9 lb
RWL = 51 x HM x VM x DM x AM x FM x CM. HM = 10/12 = 0.833, VM = 1 - 0.0075|40 - 30| = 0.925, DM = 0.82 + 1.8/25 = 0.892, AM = 1 - 0.0032 x 30 = 0.904. RWL = 26.9 lb. Leaving out FM and CM is a common mistake.
“The RWL is defined by the following equation: RWL = LC X HM X VM X DM X AM X FM X CM ... Load Constant LC 23kg 51lb; Horizontal Multiplier HM (25/H) (10/H); Vertical Multiplier VM 1-(.003|V-75|) 1-(.0075|V-30|); Distance Multiplier DM .82 + (4.5/D) .82 + (1.8/D); Asymmetric Multiplier AM 1-(.0032A) 1-(.0032A)”
A worker lifts a 25-lb carton. The task's multipliers are HM = 0.50, VM = 1.000, DM = 0.910, AM = 1.000, FM = 0.94, and CM = 1. What is the Lifting Index (LI)?
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Answer: A. 1.15
RWL = 51 x 0.50 x 1.000 x 0.910 x 1.000 x 0.94 x 1 = 21.8 lb. LI = load / RWL = 25 / 21.8 = 1.15. Inverting the ratio (RWL / load) is the classic error.
“The RWL is defined by the following equation: RWL = LC X HM X VM X DM X AM X FM X CM ... Load Constant LC 23kg 51lb; Horizontal Multiplier HM (25/H) (10/H); Vertical Multiplier VM 1-(.003|V-75|) 1-(.0075|V-30|); Distance Multiplier DM .82 + (4.5/D) .82 + (1.8/D); Asymmetric Multiplier AM 1-(.0032A) 1-(.0032A)”
A worker lifts a 40-lb carton. The task's multipliers are HM = 1.00, VM = 0.887, DM = 0.880, AM = 1.000, FM = 0.94, and CM = 0.95. What is the Lifting Index (LI)?
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Answer: D. 1.12
RWL = 51 x 1.00 x 0.887 x 0.880 x 1.000 x 0.94 x 0.95 = 35.6 lb. LI = load / RWL = 40 / 35.6 = 1.12. Inverting the ratio (RWL / load) is the classic error.
“The RWL is defined by the following equation: RWL = LC X HM X VM X DM X AM X FM X CM ... Load Constant LC 23kg 51lb; Horizontal Multiplier HM (25/H) (10/H); Vertical Multiplier VM 1-(.003|V-75|) 1-(.0075|V-30|); Distance Multiplier DM .82 + (4.5/D) .82 + (1.8/D); Asymmetric Multiplier AM 1-(.0032A) 1-(.0032A)”
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