Mónica Barrera, MSc.

, CPE
Ergonomics Engineer

Ergonomic Risk Analysis Tools: Hand

Activity Level (HAL) TLVs
 A Complete Ergo Investigation…

If the complaint/injury/illness Do a Risk Analysis

involves:
Ask questions
• HAL
• Pushing parts
Basic Questions • RULA
• Trim Rolling Do a HRT4E • OCRA
• J-clipping • Strain Index
• Force Matrix

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 Hand Activity Level
TLVs

The focus of this Threshold Limit Value (TLV) is on the hand, wrist, and forearm.
The TLV specifically considers average hand activity level (HAL) and peak hand force
and represents conditions to which nearly all operators may be repeatedly exposed
without adverse health effects.
 Hand Activity Level
TLVs

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 How to determine HAL

HAL is based on the frequency of hand exertions and the duty cycle (distribution of work
and recovery periods).
HAL can be determined with ratings by a trained observer, using the scale shown below:
How to determine Normalized Peak
Force
Normalized Peak Force:
Subjective Scale
Moore-Garg Observer Scale
%MVC Score Verbal Anchor NPF
0 0 Nothing at all 0
Barely Noticeable or
5 0.5 Extremely Weak (Just Noticeable) 0.5
Relaxed Effort
10 1 Very Weak 1
20 2 Weak (Light) Noticeable or Definite Effort 2
30 3 Moderate 3
Obvious Effort, But
40 4 Unchanged Facial 4
Expression
50 5 Strong (Heavy) 5
60 6 Substantial Effort with 6
70 7 Very Strong Changed Facial Expression 7
80 8 8
Uses Shoulder or Trunk for
90 9 9
Force
Extremely Strong (Almost
100 10 10
Maximum)

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 How to do a HAL

• Select a period of job that represents an average activity (hogring, trim

rolling, sewing, etc.)
• Take a video of at least 10 cycles
• Obtain a rating by having 3 or more users independent scoring on
normalized peak force (experienced users or the injured person)
• Observe the job and identify forceful exertions
• Compare the HAL with the NPF
HAL at Webpage (next weeks)

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Example (Strain Index)

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Example HAL

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Example HAL

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Example HAL

Greater
than TLV

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Compare HAL Vs. Strain Index

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