NIOSH Lifting Equation

submitted by William A. Groves

C.6.b
 Introduction
• NIOSH first developed a lifting equation in
1981 to aid in evaluating lifting demands
• Original equation was widely used by
occupational health practitioners since it
provided an empirical method for estimating a
weight limit for different manual lifting tasks
– Useful for identifying lifting tasks that posed a risk
for developing low back pain
– Limited to sagittal plane lifting tasks – no
asymmetry or rotation out of longitudinal plane
 Introduction
• A revised lifting equation was developed
and initially presented in 1991
– Documentation and an application manual
were subsequently developed and released in
1993-94.
– Based on more recent research
– Provided methods for evaluating asymmetrical
lifting tasks, and lifts of objects with less than
optimal coupling between object and worker’s
hands
 Introduction
• NIOSH Lifting Equation represents
only one tool in a comprehensive effort
to prevent work-related low back pain
and disability
– Lifting is only one of the causes of low
back pain
– Psychosocial factors, medical treatment,
and job demands can also play an
important role
 Criteria Used in Developing
Equation
1. Physiological
• limit energy expenditure (3.5 Kcal/min)
2. Biomechanical
• limit compression on L5/S1 disc (770 lb)
3. Psychophysical
• 75% of female population capable of lift
4. Epidemiological
• consider risk to “fit” and “susceptible” populations
 NIOSH Lifting Equation
Limitations
• Does NOT apply to:
– Lifting/lowering with one hand
– Lifting/lowering for over 8 hrs
– Lifting/lowering while seated or kneeling
– Lifting/lowering in a restricted work space
– Lifting/lowering unstable object
– Lifting/lowering while carrying, pushing, or pulling
 NIOSH Lifting Equation
Limitations (cont)
• Does NOT apply to:
– Lifting/lowering with wheelbarrows or shovels
– Lifting/lowering with high speed motion
(faster than 30 in./sec)
– Lifting/lowering with poor foot/floor coupling
(< 0.4 coefficient of friction)
– Lifting/lowering in an unfavorable environment
(high or low temperature / humidity)
 Required Input
• Load weight
• Horizontal distance from load to low back
• Vertical location of load at beginning and end of lift
• Degrees from midline where load is located at
beginning and end of lift
• Frequency of lifting in lifts per minute
• The duration of the task
• The quality of any handles or hand-holds
 Revised Lifting Equation

• The revised equation for calculating the

recommended weight limit (RWL) is a
multiplicative model that incorporates weighting
factors (multipliers) corresponding to six task
variables:

RWL = LC x (HM x VM x DM x AM x FM x CM)

Load Constant 6 Weighting Factors

(maximum weight for ideal lift)
NIOSH Equation Multipliers

1)
2)
3)
4)
5)
6)
Task Variables
Task Variables
Frequency Multiplier
Coupling Multiplier
Coupling Multiplier Decision Tree
 Procedure
1. Measure horizontal distance (H1) and vertical
distance (V1) at the origin of lift
2. Estimate asymmetry at origin (A1)
3. Measure horizontal distance (H2) and vertical
distance (V2) at the destination of lift
4. Estimate asymmetry at destination (A2)
5. Select hand-hold category (good, fair, or poor)
6. Count the number of lifts in a given time frame,
and convert to lifts per minute
7. Select the duration of the task: 1 hr, 2 hr, or 8 hr
• Multipliers < 1.0
indicate non-optimal
conditions for that task
variable

• Table 8 outlines design

strategies for each task
variable to improve the
lift geometry (adjust
multiplier toward
value of 1.0)
Lifting Index (LI)
Example Problem 1
 H DESTINATION = 23"
ANKLE LOCATION ASSUMES
STEP FORWARD WITH LOAD

30" DIAMETER

44 LB REEL

V DESTINATION
= 63"

V ORIGIN = 15"

H ORIGIN = 23"

Example #1: Loading Punch Press Stock

Example Problem 1
Example 1
Example 1
 Review Questions (Answers on the next slide)
1. The maximum load that should be lifted according to the revised NIOSH equation is ?

a. 23 lbs
b. 43 lbs
c. 37 lbs
d. 51 lbs

2. The maximum value for any of the six task multipliers is ?

a. 100
b. 1
c. -1
d. 10

3. Which of the following design techniques would not be used to decrease the lifting index (LI) ?

a. increase lift frequency

b. reduce lift duration
c. bring load closer to worker
d. reduce vertical distance between origin and destination

4. The coupling type for an optimally sized container, with non-optimal handles, that allow for 90 o finger flex
would be ?

a. optimal
b. good
c. fair
d. poor
 Answers to the Review Questions
1. The maximum load that should be lifted according to the revised NIOSH
equation is ?

d. 51 lbs

2. The maximum value for the six task multipliers is ?

b. 1

3. Which of the following design techniques would not be used to decrease the
lifting index (LI) ?

a. increase lift frequency

4. The coupling type for an optimally sized container, with non-optimal

handles, that allow for 90o finger flex would be ?

c. fair
 References
1. Applications Manual for the Revised
NIOSH Lifting Equation; T.R. Waters,
V. Putz-Anderson, and A. Garg, DHHS
(NIOSH) Publication No. 94-110.
http://www.cdc.gov/niosh/94-110.html
2. Waters, T.R.; Putz-Anderson, V.; Garg,
A.; and Fine, L.J. Revised NIOSH
Equation for the Design and Evaluation
of Manual Lifting Tasks, Ergonomics,
1993, Vol 36(7), 749-776.