Rapid Upper Limb Assessment (RULA) MUSCLE USE SCORES TABLE

Score Verbal Anchor / Description

0 • all muscle use not described below
Date: Task: • postures that are mainly static (held for longer than one minute)
1
• repetitive use (action is repeated more than 4 times per minute)
Company: Supervisor:
FORCE SCORES TABLE
Dept: Evaluator: Score Verbal Anchor / Description
0 • weights or forces ≤ 4.4 lbs (2 kg) and held intermittently
Upper Arm Posture Scores LEFT RIGHT
1 • weights or forces 4.4 to 22 lbs (2 to 10 kg) and held intermittently
90º Additional Considerations
• weights or forces 4.4 to 22 lbs (2 to 10 kg) and held statically
90º 2 • weights or forces 4.4 to 22 lbs (2 to 10 kg) and repetitive
• weight or forces ≥ 22 lbs (10 kg) and held intermittently
45º • weights or forces ≥ 22 lbs (10 kg) and held statically
-20º 20º
45º 3 • weights or forces ≥ 22 lbs (10 kg) and repetitive
+ 1 raised + 1 abducted - 1 leaning or • shock or force with rapid build up
1 > 20º 2 2 20º 3 4 shoulder shoulder supported arm

Lower Arm Posture Scores LEFT RIGHT L R L R L R L R

Additional Considerations

100º 100º + 1 if working across the midline of

the body or out to the side 0 0 + + = 0 0
1 60º
2 60º

Wrist Posture Scores LEFT RIGHT SCORE A MUSCLE FORCE SCORE C

15º Additional Considerations

15º
0º NOTES
-15º
+ 1 if wrist is bent away
1 2 3 -15º from midline

Wrist Twist Posture Scores LEFT RIGHT L R

1 2
Mainly in hand-shake position Twisted away from hand-
(mid-range of twist) shake position (at or near
end-range of twist)

Neck Posture Scores GRAND SCORE

0º - 10º 10º - 20º > 20º in extension Additional Considerations

1 2 3 4 + 1 if twisted + 1 if side-bent
Trunk Posture Scores L R L R L R L R
20º - 60º Additional Considerations
0º > 60º
0º - 20º

0 + + = 0
1 2 3 4 + 1 if twisted + 1 if side-bent
Leg Posture Scores SCORE B MUSCLE FORCE SCORE D `

Score = 1-2: Posture acceptable if not maintained or repeated for long periods
1 2 Grand Score = 3-4: Further investigation is needed, and changes may be required
Well-supported & NOT well-supported & Score Score = 5-6; Investigation and changes are required soon
evenly balanced evenly balanced Score = 7; Investigation and changes are required immediately

Reference: McAtamney, L., and Corlett, N. (1993). RULA: a survey method for the investigation of work-related upper limb disorders. Applied Ergonomics, 24, (2), 91-99.

Question? The Ergonomics Center of North Carolina

3701 Neil Street, Raleigh, NC 27607 1-800-ON-4-ERGO
www.TheErgonomicsCenter.com © 07/2007 The Ergonomics Center of North Carolina