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ACGIH TLV for Hand Activity Level (HAL) 1(6)

www.ttl.fi/workloadexposuremethods J une 2009


ACGIH TLV for Hand Activity Level (HAL)
General descri ption and devel opment of the method
The ACGIH HAL TLV uses HAL (Hand activity level) and peak hand forces to evaluate the risk
factors for developing disorders in hand, wrist, or forearm. It is aimed for monotask jobs with 4 or
more hours of repetitive handwork. Observations are made during a worksite visit or from video
recordings. HAL considers exertion frequency, recovery time, and the speed of motion and is rated on
a single visuo-analogue scale (VAS) of 0 to 10. Peak force can be measured using a strain gauge or
other instrumentation (and normalized on a scale of 0 to 10) or estimated by a trained observer using
subjective exertion scales (i.e., Borg Modified CR-10 perceived effort scale). Peak force is related to
the population characteristics of the evaluated worksite (e.g. age, gender, individual capacities).
Combination of HAL and peak hand force are evaluated against the limits given for need of action and
an absolute maximum allowed limit. (Armstrong 2006)
HAL was developed in the University of Michigan for the assessment of workload on the distal upper
extremity in 1990s (Latko 1997). The method has been adopted by ACGIH that is a scientific
organization that has established committees to review existing published, peer-reviewed literature.
The committees recommend and the ACGlH Board of Directors approves the publication of guidelines
known as Threshold Limit Values for use by industrial hygienists in making decisions regarding safe
levels of exposure to various physical agents encountered in the workplace. (Armstrong 2006)..
In addition to the hand activity and peak force, the evaluation on a similar visuoanalogue scale has
been adopted for joint postures of the wrist, elbow and shoulder (Ebersole 2006, Werner 2005, Werner
2005, Werner 2005)
Exposure descriptors
ACGIH TLV applies to monotask hand work performed for four or more hours per day. Other work
factors, such as wrist posture, contact stresses, and hand-arm vibration should be considered
particularly when the exposures are close to the TLV (Armstrong 2006)
Exposure
Description of exposure* magnitude/
amplitude
duration frequency
posture
. . .
movements both dynamic and static exertions
included in verbal anchoring descriptors
of the scale
. x . x .
(external) force peak finger force
x . . .
vibration no
. . .
contact forces no
. . .
ACGIH TLV for Hand Activity Level (HAL) 2(6)
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Resource demands and usability
Equipment needed
Scoring sheet: http://www.theergonomicscenter.com/graphics/ErgoAnalysis%20Software/HAL.pdf
PocketHAL: Hand Activity Level Calculator v. 1.22http://www.pocketih.com/content/view/4/6/
Assessment can be done on video recordings. Hand dynamometers can be used to assess
maximal forces. EMG may be useful for determining the peak effort required.
"Team members can be trained to rate repetition / hand activity in approximately 1 hour"
"As similar scales are included for the other physical stressors (force, contact stress, postural stress), it
is predicted that training raters can be accomplished in approximately one day"(Latko 1997)
Process of coding and analysis
The first step is to identify the level of hand activity on a scale of 0 to 10, where zero is virtually no
activity to a level of 10 (highest imaginable hand activity). The second step characterizes the effort
level by noting the effort associated with a typically high force within the cycle of work. The
normalized peak force (NPF) is the relative level of effort on a scale of 0 to 10 that a person of average
strength would exert in the same posture required by the task. Three methods are suggested for
assessing NPF: Noting the measured % of maximum voluntary contraction and a subjective report of
perceived exertion (Subjective Scale) as well as an observational method borrowed from the Moore-
Garg Strain Index. The third step is to locate the combination of HAL and NPF on the following TLV
graph. http://personal.health.usf.edu/tbernard/HollowHills/HALTLVM15.pdf
Output type/level (risk assessment)
HAL and normalized peak hand force are combined on a graph showing Threshold Limit Value (TLV)
and the Action Limit (AL).
Criteria to help the evaluator to make decision
HAL and normalized peak hand force are compared to the Threshold Limit Value (TLV) and the
Action Limit (AL).
With values over the limits Action Limit it is advised to consider additional work related and personal
factors that may increase the risk of musculoskeletal disorders.
Fields of the worki ng life where the method has been used
Cashiers and office workers (Bonfiglioli 2007); workers in manufacturing sector (electronics,
medical or exercise equipment, windows, kitchen cabinets, sawmill, and plywood mills)
(Silverstein 2006); workers in a foundry (Armstrong 2002); industry workers (Ebersole 2006,
Violante 2007); manufacturing and health care industry workers (Spielholz 2008);
ironworkers (Albers 2007); industry and office workers (Franzblau 2005); workers in
automotive plants (Drinkaus 2005)
ACGIH TLV for Hand Activity Level (HAL) 3(6)
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Validity
Face validity / Contents validity
Does the method seem to be valid for the aimed purpose?
(Armstrong 2006)
yes
1. The contents of the method is such that a relevant assessment can
be expected
x
Comments: Does not consider posture, vibration and contact trauma
The correlation to more detailed data collection methods seems rather low.
2. Items to be observed have a sound basis x
Comments: Main target on force, repetition and recovery time
The inter observer correlation for force are rather low. Another way of
estimating force may make it higher.
3. Sound operationalization of the items to be observed x
Comments: Subjective evaluation, no clear anchors between the ends of
scales
After comparison with SI it has been suggested that the limits should be
lower. Also Armstrong 2006 suggests that the action limit should be lower
4. Sound process to collect data x
Comments: Sampling not advised
5. Sound process to get the output of the collected data x
Comments: Assumes that there is a simple relationship between peak finger
force and HAL-value.
6. Output can help in decision making x
Concurrent validity
How well does the method correspond with more valid method/s?
1) HAL vs. detailed information from video recordings (number of exertions/sec, recovery time per
cycle, cycle time) (Latko 1997)
see results p. 281-2; figures 4, 6 , 7
2) HAL vs. Strain Index (Spielholz 2008)
Comparisons from video recordings
see results p. 254, Fig. 2
3) SI vs ACGIH HAL (Bao 2006)
- Weighted kappa =0.45; see Table 5
The SI method identified more hazard jobs than the HAL method.
ACGIH TLV for Hand Activity Level (HAL) 4(6)
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" Predictive validity"
How well has the risk-estimation of the method been shown to be associated
with or predicting musculoskeletal disorders (MSDs)?
Longitudinal field studies
1) (Gell 2005) p.50-1, Tab. 2-3
OR 1.5 (95% CI 0.9 - 2.9)
2) (Werner 2005), p. 396-7, Tab. 1(B)
- TLV-values showed no statistically discernible associations
3) (Werner 2005), p. 1046-7, Tab 1
- TLV-values showed no statistically discernible associations
4) (Werner 2005), p. 134-5, Fig. 1
- For visits to health station Hazard Ratio 2.7 (95% CI 0.95 - 7.9) (TLV 3 vs. 1)
5) (Werner 2005), p. 31-2, Tab 3
6) (Violante 2007), p. 1191-4, Tab 2-4
- Comparison Below AL vs Above TLV: OR 2.8 - 3.0 (95% CI 1.9-2.0 - - 4.0 - 4.5)
Note that the populations in studies 1) to 5) are partly same and the different individual health
outcomes have been reported in different studies
Cross-sectional field studies
1) (Latko 1999) p. 253, table 4: "linear trend", p<0.001
2) (Drinkaus 2005) Original and Modified TLVs. p. 273: case-control OR 11
3) (Franzblau 2005), p. 62-3, Table 3: sensitivity weak (0.29 - 0.59); specificity moderate (0.67 -
0.73)
4) (Spielholz 2008) p. 254, tables 3-4. AL vs. safe OR 1.9 (95% CI 0.9 - 4.4)
Intra-observer repeatability (within observers)
1) Test-retest of 33 jobs by the same team (Latko 1997), p. 283, fig. 8
Correlation r
2
=0.88
Inter-observer repeatability (between observers)
1) (Ebersole 2006)Inter-rater repeatability (12 observers in pairs, 848 jobs), p. 491
- results see Table 2
2) (Spielholz 2008) Inter-rater repeatability (4 observers in pairs, 125 tasks)
- results see Table 2
Comments: The peak force has a lower inter-rater reliability than the hand activity (HAL).
ACGIH TLV for Hand Activity Level (HAL) 5(6)
www.ttl.fi/workloadexposuremethods J une 2009
Concl usi ons
Strengths of the method
Rapid and simple to use. In the assessment individual capacity is considered, although peak force
is related to the population characteristics (e.g. age, gender, individual capasities)
You do not need a lot of instruments, only a VAS-scale. Peak force can be estimated by an
observer using a scale or measured using a strain gauge.
Assessment can be done on video recordings.
The analysis of a job takes less than one hour and the processing time is less than five minutes.
Limitations in the use of the method
Subjective assessment, does not consider non-neutral postures, contact stress, low temperatures,
and vibration; does not suitable to assess monotask work <4 hours repetitive work.
There may be other factors beside those specified by the TLV that might lead to MSDs.
If the peak force is estimated by an observing rater, it is likely to have a rather large variance
especially at high forces.
The threshold limit values (TLV) may be set to high, i.e. jobs that would be categorizes as
hazardous by other methods may be found below the TLV.
To whom can this method be recommended?
Occupational safety/health practioners and reseearch purposes
References
Albers JT & Hudock SD. Biomechanical assessment of three rebar tying techniques. Int J Occup Saf
Ergon. 2007;13(3):279-89.
Armstrong T. The ACGIH TLV for hand activity level. In: Marras WS, Karwowski W, eds.
Fundamentals and assessment tools for occupational ergonomics. Boca Raton, Florida: CRC Press
2006: 41:1 - 14.
Armstrong TJ &al. Exposure to forceful exertions and vibration in a foundry. International J ournal of
Industrial Ergonomics. 2002;30(3):163-79.
Bao S &al. Quantifying repetitive hand activity for epidemiological research on musculoskeletal
disorders--part II: comparison of different methods of measuring force level and repetitiveness.
Ergonomics. 2006;49(4):381-92.
Bonfiglioli R &al. Relationship between repetitive work and the prevalence of carpal tunnel syndrome
in part-time and full-time female supermarket cashiers: a quasi-experimental study. Int Arch Occup
Environ Health. 2007;80(3):248-53.
Drinkaus P &al. J ob level risk assessment using task level strain index scores: a pilot study. Int J
Occup Saf Ergon. 2005;11(2):141-52.
Drinkaus P &al. J ob level risk assessment using task level ACGIH hand activity level TLV scores: a
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Ebersole ML & Armstrong TJ. Analysis of an observational rating scale for repetition, posture, and
force in selected manufacturing settings. Hum Factors. 2006;48(3):487-98.
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Franzblau A &al. A cross-sectional assessment of the ACGIH TLV for hand activity level. J Occup
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Gell N &al. A longitudinal study of industrial and clerical workers: Incidence of carpal tunnel
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Latko WA &al. Development and evaluation of an observational method for assessing repetition in
hand tasks. Am Ind Hyg Assoc J . 1997;58(4):278-85.
Latko WA &al. Cross-sectional study of the relationship between repetitive work and the prevalence
of upper limb musculoskeletal disorders. American J ournal of Industrial Medicine. 1999;36(2):248-59.
Silverstein BA &al. Natural course of nontraumatic rotator cuff tendinitis and shoulder symptoms in a
working population. Scand J Work Environ Health. 2006;32(2):99-108.
Spielholz P &al. Reliability and validity assessment of the hand activity level threshold limit value and
strain index using expert ratings of mono-task jobs. J Occup Environ Hyg. 2008;5(4):250-7.
Werner RA &al. Predictors of persistent elbow tendonitis among auto assembly workers. J ournal of
Occupational Rehabilitation. 2005;15(3):393-400.
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assessment of risk factors. J ournal of Occupational and Environmental Medicine. 2005;47(10):1044-
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Werner RA &al. Risk factors for visiting a medical department because of upper-extremity
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Werner RA &al. Predictors of upper extremity discomfort: A longitudinal study of industrial and
clerical workers. J ournal of Occupational Rehabilitation. 2005;15(1):27-35.
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