Task Information

If a worker rotates to one or more repetitive tasks in a day, this sheet can be used to estimate a combined exposure score for the job

Step 1. In the table below, enter the information for each repetitive task included in the rotation

Task Name Task Score Total Duration

Task Number (minutes)1
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
10

1 - The total duration is the total amount of the time (in minutes) that the worker performs the task in the day or shift
Frequent
Step 2. Click on the appropriate box to estimate the 'Job Exposure Score' for the worker Rotation

Click 'Frequent' if the worker rotates to another task at least every hour

Click 'Infrequent' if the worker rotates to another task after more than one hour Infrequent
Rotation
If in doubt, click 'Infrequent'

For more information about how the Job Exposure Score is estimated, click 'About' About
Estimated Job Exposure Score for Frequent Task Rotation
Task Total Duration Fraction of Total
Task Name Task Score
Number (minutes) Repetitive Work

1 0 0 0 #DIV/0!
2 0 0 0 #DIV/0!
3 0 0 0 #DIV/0!
4 0 0 0 #DIV/0!
5 0 0 0 #DIV/0!
6 0 0 0 #DIV/0!
7 0 0 0 #DIV/0!
8 0 0 0 #DIV/0!
9 0 0 0 #DIV/0!
10 0 0 0 #DIV/0!

Total Repetitive Work Time (minutes) 0

Job Duration Multiplier 0.5

Task
Job Exposure Score #DIV/0! Information

Click 'Task Information' to return to the Task Information Sheet

Estimated Job Exposure Score for Infrequent Task Rotation
Task Total Duration Fraction of Total Task Duration Maximum
Task Name Task Score Exposure Score
Number (Mins) Repetitive Work Multiplier Exposure Score

1 0 0 0 #DIV/0! 0.5 0.0 0.0

2 0 0 0 #DIV/0! 0.5 0.0 0.0
3 0 0 0 #DIV/0! 0.5 0.0 0.0
4 0 0 0 #DIV/0! 0.5 0.0 0.0
5 0 0 0 #DIV/0! 0.5 0.0 0.0
6 0 0 0 #DIV/0! 0.5 0.0 0.0
7 0 0 0 #DIV/0! 0.5 0.0 0.0
8 0 0 0 #DIV/0! 0.5 0.0 0.0
9 0 0 0 #DIV/0! 0.5 0.0 0.0
10 0 0 0 #DIV/0! 0.5 0.0 0.0 K= #DIV/0!
0.0 0.0

Total Repetitive Work Time (minutes) 0

Job Duration Multiplier 0.5

Job Exposure Score #DIV/0! Task

Information

Click 'Task Information' to return to the Task Information Sheet

Further Information

This page provides further information about how the Job Exposure Score is estimated. The Job Exposure Score has been introduced to improve the scope and usability of ART
when confronted with jobs involving several repetitive tasks. In particular, the Job Exposure Score can be used to:
1. Help prioritise jobs involving more than one repetitive task
2. Help take account of task rotation as a means of managing the risks posed by repetitive tasks.

However, users must be aware of the limitations of this method, so that they can make informed decisions about how to estimate and interpret the Job Exposure Score, and
ensure they take account of other factors important to planning task rotation. The colours assigned to the risk factors will also help inform whether task rotation is suitable.

How is the Job Exposure Score Estimated?

There are two different methods for estimating the Job Exposure Score. The selection of which method to use depends on whether task rotation is frequent (at least every
hour) or infrequent (after more than one hour).

Frequent Task Rotation

Where task rotation is frequent, the method calculates a 'time-weighted average' exposure score for all of the tasks involved in the job. This method assumes that tasks with
higher exposure levels are, to some extent, compensated for by tasks with lower exposure levels that occur close together. This is represented in the following formula:
JES(f) = ( TES(a max) x FTa ) + ( TES(b max) x FTb ) + … + ( TES(n max) x FTn )
where:
JES(f) is the Job Exposure Score where there is frequent task rotation
TES(a max, b max,…n max) are the Task Exposure Scores for each task within the rotation, if they were (hypothetically) performed for the total repetitive work time
(i.e. if there was no task rotation)
FTa, FTb,… FTn are the fractions of time each task is performed compared to the total repetitive work time

Infrequent Task Rotation

Where task rotation is infrequent, the 'time-weighted average' does not take sufficient account of the higher task exposures (i.e. it flattens out any significant peaks in
exposure). The approach adopted for infrequent task rotation is instead based on the concept of the 'most demanding task as minimum'. This approach will estimate a Job
Exposure Score that is at least equivalent to the Task Exposure Score of the most demanding task and, at most, equivalent to the Task Exposure Score of the most demanding
task if it were (hypothetically) performed for the whole period of repetitive work. This is represented in the following formula:
JES(if) = TES(1) + [(TES(1 max) - TES(1) ) x K]
where:
JES(if) is the Job Exposure Score where there is infrequent task rotation
TES(1) is the Task Exposure Score of the most demanding task within the rotation
 TES(2, 3, … n) is the Task Exposure Score of the 2nd, 3rd, … nth most demanding tasks within the rotation (i.e. ranked according to highest Task Exposure Score values)
TES(1 max) is the Task Exposure Score of the most demanding task if it was (hypothetically) performed for the total repetitive work time (i.e. if there was no task rotation)
TES(2 max, 3 max, … n max) is the Task Exposure Score of the 2nd, 3rd, … nth most demanding tasks if they were (hypothetically) performed for the total repetitive work time
(i.e. if there was no task rotation)
FT1, FT2,… FTn are the fractions of time that the 1st, 2nd, … nth most demanding tasks are perfromed compared to the total repetitive work time
K = (TES(1 max) x FT1) + (TES(2 max) x FT2) + … + (TES(n max) x FTn)
TES(1 max)

Limitations
We believe this method will improve the scope and usability of ART when confronted with jobs involving several repetitive tasks. However, users must be aware of the
limitations of this method, so that they can make informed decisions about how it is used, how they interpret the results and ensure they take account of other factors
important to the development of task rotation schedules. Some things to be aware of are:

This method for determining the Job Exposure Score has not been validated as a risk assessment tool for Upper Limb Disorders
This method does not take account of the order in which tasks are assigned to workers
This method does not consider many other factors that are important to planning task rotation schedules; for example, the skills, abilities, preferences and availability of
workers
This method does not consider the influence of task rotation on psychosocial factors
The method has not been included for the purpose of designing task rotation schedules

For these reasons, task rotation schedules should always be drawn up in consultation with those people who are doing the repetitive work

The colours assigned to the risk factors will also help inform whether task rotation is suitable

Where there are significant risks, task rotation should not be viewed as a substitute for 'higher order' solutions such as eliminating the risk at source

Click 'Task Information' to return to the Task Information Sheet

Task
Information
References
The methods are based on the research of Occhipinti et al. (2008) and Waters et al. (2007).

Occhipinti, E. Colombini, D. and Occhipinti, M. (2008). OCRA method: Development of a new procedure for analysis of multiple tasks with infrequent rotations. La Medicina del
Lavoro, 99(3), 234 - 241.

Waters, T.R., Lu, M.L., and Occhipinti, E. (2007). New procedure for assessing sequential manual lifting jobs using the revised NIOSH lifting equation. Ergonomics, 50(11), 1761 -
1770.