“I have some companies that are requesting 70lb lift tests.”
“In our facilities our providers currently do the lift tests and do a max of 50lb.”
“Do you have any information on the weight limit that should be performed in an OH setting?”
“Should there be a screening before lifting over a certain amount?”
“Would you consider lift tests a provider visit or can this be done by clinical staff in our office?”
Many employers request lift tests or functional capacity evaluations (FCEs) as part of their pre-employment screening or to determine an employee’s fitness for duty. As an occupational health provider, it’s important to understand the appropriate protocols and considerations for these tests. Here’s what you need to know:
Understanding Lift Test Requests
When a company requests a 70lb lift test, it’s crucial to clarify the context. Ask:
- Is this a maximum, sustained lift?
- What is the frequency of this lift?
- What is the object’s shape and handling requirements?
- What’s the distance carried, height of placement, and surrounding environment?
These details determine whether the test is reasonable and aligns with the actual job requirements.
Weight Limits in Occupational Health Settings
There’s no universal standard for maximum weight limits in occupational health lift tests. Consider these factors:
- Job Demands: Base the test weights on the specific physical requirements of the job.
- NIOSH Lifting Equation: Use this equation (see below) to calculate recommended weight limits and adjust testing weights based on lifting conditions.
- Patient/Client Safety: Prioritize the safety of the individual being tested.
Pre-Test Screening
Before performing any lift test, particularly those involving heavier weights, screen the individual for:
- Recent injuries or musculoskeletal pain
- Cardiovascular conditions
- Other health concerns that could be aggravated by lifting
Who Can Perform Lift Tests
The appropriate personnel for conducting lift tests depends on the complexity of the assessment:
- Simple Lift Tests: Clinical staff, like nurses or medical assistants, with proper training, can supervise lift tests at lower weights with clear parameters.
- Complex Evaluations: For assessments involving heavier weights or more extensive functional testing, consider involving a physical or occupational therapist, or an athletic trainer who specializes in work-related injuries and functional capacities.
Additional Considerations
- Documentation: Meticulously document the test parameters, the individual’s performance, and any concerns or limitations noted.
- Education: Educate both the employer and the individual being tested about safe lifting techniques and how the results relate to job tasks.
- Legal Considerations: Be aware of any state laws or regulations governing lift tests or functional capacity evaluations.
Disclaimer: This blog post provides general information. It is not a substitute for professional medical advice or specific legal requirements within your jurisdiction.
What is the NIOSH Lifting Equation?
- The NIOSH Lifting Equation is a tool developed by the National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH) to assess the risk of low back pain associated with manual lifting tasks.
- It calculates a Recommended Weight Limit (RWL), which is the maximum weight a healthy worker should lift under a specific set of conditions to minimize the risk of injury.
- The Lifting Index (LI) is derived from the equation. An LI greater than 1.0 suggests a lifting task may pose an increased risk for some workers. An LI exceeding 3.0 indicates a high-risk task.
How it works
The NIOSH Lifting Equation uses a series of multipliers to adjust the ideal starting weight (the Load Constant) based on specific characteristics of the lift:
- RWL = LC x HM x VM x DM x AM x FM x CM
Where:
- RWL: Recommended Weight Limit
- LC: Load Constant (51 pounds or 23 kg, the recommended maximum under ideal conditions)
- HM: Horizontal Multiplier (based on the distance of the load from the body)
- VM: Vertical Multiplier (based on the height at which the lift begins)
- DM: Distance Multiplier (based on the vertical travel distance of the lift)
- AM: Asymmetric Multiplier (based on the degree of twisting required during the lift)
- FM: Frequency Multiplier (based on the frequency of lifting)
- CM: Coupling Multiplier (based on the quality of the handholds on the object)
Importance
The NIOSH Lifting Equation is valuable for:
- Identifying hazardous lifting tasks: Helps pinpoint where risks might exist in a workplace.
- Designing safer work environments: Promotes adjustments to workstations or lifting protocols to reduce risk.
- Assessing job suitability: Can help match workers to jobs that are within their safe lifting capacity.
Limitations
- Complexity: The equation can be somewhat complex to calculate.
- Not universally applicable: The equation might not be the best tool for every lifting scenario, particularly those with complex or highly variable movements.
Resources
- Applications Manual for the Revised NIOSH Lifting Equation
- NIOSH Lifting Equation website: [https://www.cdc.gov/niosh/topics/ergonomics/nlecalc.html]
- NIOSH Lifting Equation App: Available on the Apple App Store and Google Play.
A worker on a warehouse floor must lift boxes from a conveyor belt at waist height and place them onto a pallet 2 feet away at shoulder height. The boxes weigh 35 pounds and the worker needs to lift an average of 4 boxes per minute for a 2-hour shift. There are good handles on the boxes.
Here’s how the NIOSH Lifting Equation would be applied:
- Load Constant (LC): We start with the ideal weight of 51 lbs.
- Horizontal Multiplier (HM): The load is 15 inches from the worker’s ankles (midpoint between ankles and the front of the box). Using the NIOSH table or calculation, we determine HM = 0.80.
- Vertical Multiplier (VM): The lift starts at 30 inches (waist height) and ends at 60 inches (shoulder height). VM = 0.80
- Distance Multiplier (DM): The vertical travel distance is 30 inches (60-30). DM = 0.88.
- Asymmetric Multiplier (AM): The lift is performed directly in front of the body so no twisting is involved. AM = 1.0.
- Frequency Multiplier (FM): With a lift rate of 4 lifts/minute for a 2-hour shift, FM = .95.
- Coupling Multiplier (CM): Good handles on the box, CM = 1.0.
Calculation of Recommended Weight Limit (RWL):
RWL = LC x HM x VM x DM x AM x FM x CM RWL = 51 lbs x 0.80 x 0.80 x 0.88 x 1.0 x 0.95 x 1.0 RWL ≈ 25.9 lbs
Calculation of Lifting Index (LI):
LI = Actual Load Weight / RWL LI = 35 lbs / 25.9 lbs LI ≈ 1.35
Interpretation
- RWL: The Recommended Weight Limit of 25.9 lbs suggests the task as described exceeds the ideal for healthy workers.
- LI: The Lifting Index of 1.35 indicates an increased risk of low back pain for some workers.
Recommendations
Based on this assessment, changes should be considered such as:
- Reduce box weight: If possible, pack less in each box.
- Lifting aids: Use mechanical equipment, if available, to remove the manual lifting component.
- Redesign workspace: Reduce vertical travel distance (e.g., raise conveyor, lower pallet) or bring the objects closer to the worker to improve multipliers.
- Job rotation: Implement job rotations to limit the duration of lifting for any individual worker.
Important Notes:
- This is a simplified example. Real-world assessments may be more complex.
- The NIOSH website has calculators and more detailed guides for the Lifting Equation.
Conclusion
The NIOSH Lifting Equation is a valuable tool for occupational health providers when assessing the risk associated with lifting tasks. As demonstrated in the warehouse scenario, it helps identify potentially hazardous work conditions and provides guidance on how to modify tasks to reduce risk.
While lift tests can be useful components of pre-employment screenings or return-to-work evaluations, it’s important to approach them with an understanding of safe lifting practices and the individual’s specific capabilities. By carefully considering test parameters, pre-test screening, and the expertise needed to conduct the assessment, occupational health providers can help employers and workers maintain a safe and healthy work environment.
Want to learn how pre-placement exams and testing can grow your occupational health practice? Schedule a call with me to discuss strategies and tailor a plan for your specific needs.
