IEM-323

HUMAN FACTORS
ENGINEERING

Zahid A. Shah | DIEM – PU

B.Sc. Industrial Engineering & Management

Semester 5th (Batch: 2021-2025)
 Module # 01
Physical Ergonomics

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01-06: Work-Related Musculoskeletal Disorders
 01-06 (D)
The Strain Index (SI)

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Learning Objectives
At the end of this lecture, you should be able to

• Understand the purpose of using Strain Index (SI)

• Differentiate between exertion time and recovery time

• Understand six variables used in the Strain Index (SI)

• Find the final score for the task using scoring criteria of SI

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Background and Applications
• The strain index (SI) is a method of evaluating jobs to determine if they expose
workers to increased risk of developing musculoskeletal disorders of the
distal upper extremity (DUE)
• The DUE is defined as the elbow, forearm, wrist, and hand
• Some disorders related to DUE
• Trigger finger
• Tenosynovitis
• Carpal Tunnel Syndrome
• Epicondylitis (Tennis Elbow)
• Raynaud’s cysts

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Background and Applications…
• The strain index was derived from physiological, biomechanical, and epidemiological principles

• According to work physiology, the critical parameters for predicting the onset and magnitude of
localized muscle fatigue are

• Intensity of exertion (as a percentage of task-specific maximal effort)

• Duration of exertion

• Duration of recovery time between exertions

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Background and Applications…
• Total exertion time is the sum of the durations of the individual exertions applied by a hand
within one job cycle (there may be one or many)

• Recovery time is cycle time minus exertion time

✓ As exertion time increases (by increasing duration or frequency), recovery time decreases and the
index value increases

✓ As exertion time decreases, recovery time increases and the index value decreases

✓ Since the physical stress on the body also depends on the magnitudes of these exertions, more
forceful exertions represent greater stress than less forceful exertions.

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Procedure
• To analyze a job with the strain index, it is important to observe or videotape a representative
sample of the job
• It is easier to perform the analysis from a videotape
• The right and left sides are analyzed separately
• The higher score should be used to characterize the job as a whole
• In terms of procedure, there are five steps:
1. Collect data on the six task variables.
2. Assign ordinal ratings using the ratings table
3. Determine multiplier values using the multiplier table
4. Calculate the SI score (the product of the six multiplier values)
5. Interpret the result

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Procedure…
• The strain index uses six task variables to describe hand exertions:
1. Intensity of exertion
2. Duration of exertion
3. Exertions per minute
4. Hand/wrist posture
5. Speed of work (how fast)
6. Duration of task per day

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1. Intensity of Exertion
• An estimate of the strength required to perform the task one time
• Light
• Somewhat hard
• Hard
• Very hard
• Near maximal

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2. Duration of Exertion

• Duration of Exertion is calculated by measuring the duration of all exertions during

an observation period, then dividing the measured duration of exertion by the total
observation time and multiplying by 100.

𝑑𝑢𝑟𝑎𝑡𝑖𝑜𝑛 𝑜𝑓 𝑎𝑙𝑙 𝑒𝑥𝑒𝑟𝑡𝑖𝑜𝑛𝑠

% Duration of Exertion= ∗ 100
𝑡𝑜𝑡𝑎𝑙 𝑜𝑏𝑠𝑒𝑟𝑣𝑎𝑡𝑖𝑜𝑛 𝑡𝑖𝑚𝑒

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3. Exertions per Minute
• Exertions per Minute are measured by counting the number of exertions that
occur during an observation period, then dividing the number of exertions by the
duration of the observation period, measured in minutes.

𝑛𝑢𝑚𝑏𝑒𝑟 𝑜𝑓 𝑒𝑥𝑒𝑟𝑡𝑖𝑜𝑛𝑠
Exertions per Minute =
𝑡𝑜𝑡𝑎𝑙 𝑜𝑏𝑠𝑒𝑟𝑣𝑎𝑡𝑖𝑜𝑛 𝑡𝑖𝑚𝑒 (𝑚𝑖𝑛.)

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4. Hand/wrist Posture
• Hand/Wrist Posture is an estimate of the position of the hand or wrist relative to
neutral position.
• Very good
• Good
• Fair
• Bad
• Very bad

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5. Speed of Work
• Speed of Work is an estimate of how fast the worker is working.
• Very slow
• Slow
• Fair
• Fast
• Very fast

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6. Duration of Task per Day
• Duration of Task per Day is either measured or obtained from plant personnel.

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Scoring Criteria

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Scoring Criteria…

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JSI Worksheet…

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 Example 1

Example 2 – Video

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Advantages
• It is based on principles relevant to the assessment of exposure for and the pathogenesis of DUE
disorders

• It accounts for (1) adverse effects related to the magnitude, duration, and frequency of tensile and
compressive forces in the DUE and (2) the beneficial effects of recovery time and limited
task duration

• It is a semiquantitative method using procedures related to time and motion study

• The outcome allows for dichotomous classification of a job or task that is familiar and practical and
allows for simulation of potential interventions

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Disadvantages
• It is not a quick pencil-and-paper screening method

• It is best used by individuals with experience and training

• Some task variables are subjectively evaluated by the analyst

• It does not account for DUE hazards related to localized compression or hand–
arm vibration

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Recap!
• Recall some disorders of distal upper extremity (DUE)

• What is the difference between intensity of exertion and duration of exertion? How is each rated?

• What is the difference between duration of exertion and exertions per minute?

• Give an example of a task that can be analyzed using strain index (SI)

• How is the rating criteria of SI similar to the NIOSH Lifting Equation?

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References
1. Introduction to Human Factors and Ergonomics by R. S. Bridger
2. A Guide to Human Factors and Ergonomics by Martin Hilander
3. Application Manual for the Revised NIOSH Lifting Equation by Thomas R.
Waters, Vern Putz-Anderson, and Arun Garg
4. The Rules of Work – A Practical Engineering Guide to Ergonomics by Dan
MacLeod

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Thank You!

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