History and Benefit of RULA

Developed by Dr. E. Nigel Corlett and Dr. Lynn

McAtamney of University of Nottinghams
Institute for Occupational Ergonomics
Developed to investigate the exposure of
individual workers to risk factors associated with
work-related upper limb disorders

What is RULA
RULA is a quick survey method for use in
ergonomic investigations of workplaces where
MSDs are reported.
RULA is a screening tool that assesses
biomechanical and postural loading on the body.
RULA focuses on the neck, trunk and upper
limbs, and is ideal for sedentary workers e.g.
computer workplaces.
What is RULA (cont.)
RULA has been validated on groups of computer
users and sewing machine operators.
RULA is quick and easy to complete.
RULA scores indicate the level of intervention
required to reduce MSD risks.
RULA compliments other ergonomic methods.
RULA Scoring Classification
CLASS I (1 or 2)
Posture is acceptable if it is not maintained or repeated
for long periods
CLASS II (3 or 4)
Further investigation is needed
CLASS III (5 or 6)
Further investigation and changes are required soon
CLASS IV (6+)
Investigate and change now
Interpretation of RULA
Gives a total job assessment that suggests directions
for modifying body positions to reduce the possibility
of hazards
Does not provide exact Engineering controls or work
activity changes.
How to Do a RULA Estimation
RULA is a simple diagnostic tool that allows you to
survey various tasks involving the upper limbs at work.
Focuses on use of arms, wrists, position of the head,
and the posture of the upper body.
RULA Estimation (cont.)
Procedure
Records the position of the upper limbs and the head,
trunk and legs with two separate number codes.
The codes are entered into the relevant boxes.
An initial score is found in the appropriate tables, A and
B.
The score is modified according to the use of the limbs.
RULA Estimation (cont.)
The final A and B scores are calculated.
Using the final scores a Grand Score, using table C, is
determined.
Upper Arm
Upper Arms
Add 1 if shoulder is raised
Add 1 if upper arm is abducted
Subtract 1 if leaning or supporting the weight of the
arm.
Lower Arm

Add 1 if working across the midline of the body or out

to the side.
Wrist
Wrist Twist
Mainly in handshake

Twisting away from

handshake position.
Neck
Neck Twist

Add 1 if neck is twisting

Neck Side-Bend

Add 1 if neck is side-bending.

Trunk
Trunk Twisting

Add 1 if trunk is twisting.

Trunk Side-Bend

Add 1 if trunk is side-bending.

Lower Limbs
Legs and feet are well
supported and in an
evenly balanced
posture (add 1).
Legs and feet are not
evenly balanced or
supported (add 2).
Muscle Use Score
Raise the score by 1 if the posture is
Mainly static, e.g. held for longer than 10 minutes.
Repeated more than 4 times/minute.
 Forces or Load Score
0 1
No resistance or less 4-20 lbs intermittent
than 4 lbs intermittent load or force
load or force
2 3
4-20 lbs static or More than 20 lbs static
repeated load or force or repeated loads or
forces. Shock or forces
with rapid buildup.
 Score Sheet
Upper Lower Wrist Posture Muscle Force Score
Arm Arm Wrist Twist Score A Use /Load A

+ + = Look
Up in
Table
C for
Neck Trunk Legs
Posture
Score B
Muscle
Use
Force
/ Load
Score
B
Grand
Score
+ + =
Arms and Wrist Score Wrist
1 2 3 4
Wrist Twist Wrist Twist Wrist Twist Wrist Twist
Upper Arm Lower Arm 1 2 1 2 1 2 1 2
1 1 2 2 2 2 3 3 3

1 2 2 2 2 2 3 3 3 3

3 2 3 2 3 3 3 4 4

1 2 2 2 3 3 3 4 4

2 2 2 2 2 3 3 3 4 4

3 2 3 3 3 3 4 4 5

1 2 3 3 3 4 4 5 5

3 2 2 3 3 3 4 4 5 5

3 2 3 3 4 4 4 5 5

1 3 4 4 4 4 4 5 5

4 2 3 4 4 4 4 4 5 5

3 3 4 4 4 5 5 6 6

1 5 5 5 5 5 6 6 7

5 2 5 6 6 6 6 7 7 7

3 6 6 6 7 7 7 7 8

1 7 7 7 7 7 8 8 9

6 2 7 8 8 8 8 9 9 9

3 9 9 9 9 9 9 9 9
 Neck, Trunk, and Legs Score
TRUNK

1 2 3 4 5 6

Legs Legs Legs Legs Legs Legs

Neck 1 2 1 2 1 2 1 2 1 2 1 2

1 1 2 1 2 2 3 3 4 4 4 4 4

2 1 2 2 2 3 4 4 5 5 5 5 5

3 2 2 2 3 3 4 4 5 5 5 6 6

4 2 3 2 3 3 4 4 5 5 6 6 6
RULA Estimation
RULA Estimation (cont.)
Merits & demerits
References
McAtamney, L. & Corlett, E.N. (1993) RULA: a
survey method for the investigation of work-
related upper limb disorders, Applied
Ergonomics, 24, 91-99
http://www.ergonomics.co.uk/Rula/Ergo/
index.html