Evaluating the NIOSH Equation Performance to Estimate the Risk of Injury to Spine in Asymmetric Lifting

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Behjati Ashtiani, Mohammad | 2017

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Type of Document: M.Sc. Thesis
Language: Farsi
Document No: 49297 (08)
University: Sharif University of Technology
Department: Mechanical Engineering
Advisor(s): Arjmand, Navid
Abstract:
The 1991 NIOSH Lifting Equation (NLE) is widely used to assess the risk of injury to the spine by providing estimates of the recommended weight limit (RWL) in hands. The present study uses the AnyBody modeling software to verify whether the RWL generates L5-S1 within the limits (e.g., 3400 N for compression recommended by NIOSH and 1000 N for shear recommended in the literature). Twenty-four symmetric and asymmetric lifting activities were simulated to evaluate the RWL by the NLE and the L5-S1 loads by AnyBody. In two activities, involving large trunk flexion and 30 and 60 degrees of load asymmetry, the estimated RWL generated L5-S1 spine loads exceeding the recommended limits. The NIOSH vertical multiplier properly controls spinal loads but the asymmetry multiplier is likely responsible for predictions of the spinal load beyond the tolerant limits
Keywords:
Low Back Pain ; National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH) Equation ; Manual Material Handeling ; Anybody Software ; Spinal Biomechanics ; Asymmetry Lifting

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