Rapid Upper Limb Assessment (RULA) MUSCLE USE SCORES TABLE

Score Verbal Anchor / Description

0 • all muscle use not described below
Date: Task: • postures that are mainly static (held for longer than one minute)
1
• repetitive use (action is repeated more than 4 times per minute)
Company: Supervisor:
FORCE SCORES TABLE
Dept: Evaluator: Score Verbal Anchor / Description
0 • weights or forces ≤ 4.4 lbs (2 kg) and held intermittently
Upper Arm Posture Scores LEFT RIGHT
1 • weights or forces 4.4 to 22 lbs (2 to 10 kg) and held intermittently
90º Additional Considerations
• weights or forces 4.4 to 22 lbs (2 to 10 kg) and held statically
90º 2 • weights or forces 4.4 to 22 lbs (2 to 10 kg) and repetitive

-20º 20º 45º

45º 3 3 • weight or forces ≥ 22 lbs (10 kg) and held intermittently
• weights or forces ≥ 22 lbs (10 kg) and held statically
3 • weights or forces ≥ 22 lbs (10 kg) and repetitive
1 > 20º 2 2 20º 3 4
+ 1 raised
shoulder
+ 1 abducted
shoulder
- 1 leaning or
supported arm
• shock or force with rapid build up

Lower Arm Posture Scores LEFT RIGHT L R L R L R L R

Additional Considerations

100º
2 2 4 4 + 0 1 + 1 3 = 5 8
100º + 1 if working across the midline of
the body or out to the side

1 60º
2 60º

Wrist Posture Scores LEFT RIGHT SCORE A MUSCLE FORCE SCORE C

15º Additional Considerations
15º
0º NOTES
-15º 3 2
1 2 3 -15º
+ 1 if wrist is bent away
from midline

Wrist Twist Posture Scores LEFT RIGHT L R

1 2
Mainly in hand-shake position
(mid-range of twist)
Twisted away from hand-
shake position (at or near
end-range of twist)
2 2 5 7

Neck Posture Scores GRAND SCORE

0º - 10º 10º - 20º > 20º in extension Additional Considerations

1 2 3 4 + 1 if twisted + 1 if side-bent
Trunk Posture Scores
20º - 60º Additional Considerations
0º > 60º
0º - 20º

4 0 + 1 + 3 = 4
1 2 3 4 + 1 if twisted + 1 if side-bent
Leg Posture Scores SCORE B MUSCLE FORCE SCORE D

1 2 Score =1-2: Posture acceptable if not maintained or repeated for long periods

Well-supported &
evenly balanced
NOT well-supported &
evenly balanced
2 Grand
Score
Score = 3-4: Further investigation is need, and changes may be required

Score = 5-6: Investigation and changes are required soon

Score = 7: Investigation and changes are required immediately

Reference: McAtamney, L., and Corlett, N. (1993). RULA: a survey method for the investigation of work-related upper limb disorders. Applied Ergonomics, 24, (2), 91-99.

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