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RULA

RULA, or Rapid Upper Limb Assessment, is a survey method used to evaluate exposure of the upper limbs to ergonomic risks arising from repetitive or awkward postures, forceful exertions, and static loading during work tasks. Developed by McAtamney and Corlett in 1993, it is a quick screening tool designed to identify tasks that may require design changes to prevent musculoskeletal disorders. The method focuses on the neck, trunk, upper limbs, and wrists, and can be applied to a wide range of manual tasks.

Process: The observer records the posture of the upper arm, lower arm, and wrist (Section A) and

Interpretation: Scores are linked to action levels. A final score of 1 or 2 suggests the posture

Applications and limitations: RULA is widely used in manufacturing and service workplaces as a rapid screening

the
neck,
trunk,
and
legs
(Section
B).
Postures
in
each
section
are
scored
using
fixed
tables.
Muscle
use
and
force
are
incorporated
to
adjust
the
scores,
yielding
a
final
score
on
a
1
to
7
scale.
is
acceptable.
Scores
of
3
or
4
indicate
a
need
for
further
investigation
and
possible
change.
Scores
of
5
or
6
call
for
investigation
and
changes
soon,
and
a
score
of
7
requires
immediate
investigation
and
change.
tool
for
evaluating
upper-limb
risk
and
prioritizing
ergonomic
interventions.
It
is
not
a
substitute
for
full
biomechanical
analysis;
results
depend
on
the
number
of
observations
and
task
variability,
and
some
risk
factors
may
be
missed
by
a
quick
screen.