NIOSH Lifting Equation - Horizontal Distance Multiplier Factor

How can the horizontal distance affect the weight limit?

Example: A worker lifts 15 kg boxes from the table to the shelf five times an hour. Notice that there is a barrier between the worker and the box. To calculate the recommended weight limit (RWL) for the task: Weight equals 15 kg H (Horizontal Distance) - 50 cm V (Vertical Distance) - 70 cm D (Lifting/Carrying Distance) - 40 cm F (Frequency) - 12 min A (Angle) - 0° C (Coupling/quality of grip) - fair The revised NIOSH Lifting Equation is: 23 Kg x HM x VM x DM x AM x FM x CM= RWL 23 Kg x 0.50 x 0.99 x 0.93 x 1.00 x 1.00 x 1.00 = 10.59 kg The recommended weight is 10.59 kg, which is less than the current weight at 15 kg.

• requirement Determine the weight of the load.
• requirement Assess the six components of the lifting task. Refer to Assessing Relevant Handling Factors for an explanation of the terms.
• requirement Select the multiplier factors for each component of the lifting from the tables in Calculating Recommended Weight Limit (RWL).
• requirement Determine the Recommended Weight Limit for the task. Refer to Assessing Relevant Handling Factors and Calculating Recommended Weight Limit (RWL).
• requirement Compare the weight of the load against determined Recommended Weight Limit for the task:

Recommendations

The critical component is H, the horizontal distance of the box from worker's body.

• requirement Assess which components of the task contribute most to the risk. Refer to Assessing Relevant Handling Factors
• requirement Remove the barrier to allow worker to get closer to the box (horizontal distance is now 30 cm which uses a factor of 0.83).