CEA Cheat Sheet 2026

The 30 highest-yield CEA facts, distilled from real exam questions. Print it, save it as a PDF, or study it here — free, no sign-up.

1. When selecting a power screwdriver for assembly work, which grip style best reduces wrist deviation? → Inline (pencil) grip for horizontal surfaces
2. The 'moment arm' in biomechanics refers to: → The perpendicular distance from a joint axis to the line of force
3. Which vigilance decrement factor is most strongly linked to the length of time an operator must sustain attention on a low-event-rate task? → Time-on-task duration
4. What is the recommended temperature range for office workstations to support worker comfort and productivity? → 68-76°F (20-24°C)
5. In the RULA (Rapid Upper Limb Assessment) method, a score of 7 indicates: → Implement changes immediately
6. Which feature of an ergonomic stapler most directly reduces peak hand force during stapling? → Extended lever arm that distributes force over a wider range of motion
7. During a lighting assessment for a visual display terminal (VDT) workstation, the ergonomist should prioritize measuring: → Luminance ratio between the screen and surrounding surfaces
8. What is 'dead man's hand' or 'trigger finger' most associated with in industrial ergonomics? → Repetitive or sustained flexion of finger tendons combined with high grip force
9. What role does employee participation play in ergonomic programs? → Increases program effectiveness
10. When evaluating a seated workstation, what is the recommended elbow angle for keyboard use? → 90–110 degrees
11. Which workstation modification best accommodates a worker who alternates between seated and standing positions throughout the day? → A height-adjustable (sit-stand) desk with corresponding monitor arm
12. In an ergonomic assessment, a worker's chair seat pan is found to be too long (deep). The primary risk this creates is: → Excess pressure behind the knees, limiting lumbar contact with the backrest
13. According to Miller's Law, working memory can hold approximately how many chunks of information at once? → 7 ± 2 items
14. A workstation redesign reduces a worker's required reach distance from 26 inches to 16 inches. This is an example of which intervention type? → Engineering control
15. When evaluating a push/pull task using the Liberty Mutual Psychophysical Tables, the primary variable affecting acceptable force limits is: → Task frequency, distance, and height of force application
16. What is the most effective ergonomic solution for prolonged standing at a workbench? → Use anti-fatigue mats
17. Which industrial task modification BEST addresses the ergonomic risk of sustained static loading? → Introducing micro-breaks or brief postural changes within the task
18. In the context of ergonomics program evaluation, 'leading indicators' are metrics that: → Predict future risk by tracking proactive safety activities such as assessments completed
19. In a push/pull assessment using a force gauge, the ergonomist should capture both initial and sustained forces because: → Initial force overcomes static friction and is typically higher than sustained force
20. What is the primary purpose of document holders placed adjacent to computer monitors? → Reduce neck rotation and accommodation changes between source and screen
21. What is the recommended illuminance level (in foot-candles) for general office work according to IESNA guidelines? → 30–50 fc
22. A dental hygienist develops neck and shoulder pain. Which primary postural risk factor should the ergonomist address FIRST? → Sustained trunk rotation and neck flexion while working around the patient's head
23. A worker experiences hand-arm vibration while operating a grinder. Which health outcome is specifically associated with this exposure? → Raynaud's phenomenon (vibration white finger)
24. Multiple Resource Theory (MRT), proposed by Wickens, predicts that dual-task interference will be greatest when two tasks share the same: → Processing stage, modality, and response code
25. Which measure best quantifies spinal compressive force during a manual lift for biomechanical analysis? → L4/L5 compression force in Newtons
26. When designing for the 5th–95th percentile of the target user population, which body dimension guideline applies to clearance (space) dimensions? → Design for the 95th percentile so the largest user is accommodated
27. A participatory ergonomics program differs from a traditional ergonomics program primarily because it: → Actively involves workers in identifying hazards and designing solutions
28. A Recommended Weight Limit (RWL) of 20 kg and an actual load of 30 kg yields a Lifting Index (LI) of 1.5. This value indicates: → Some workers may be at elevated risk; the task warrants ergonomic redesign
29. In ergonomic program management, a 'leading indicator' of MSD risk is BEST described as: → Results of proactive workstation assessments and risk scores before injuries occur
30. In biomechanics, 'static loading' of muscles differs from 'dynamic loading' because: → Static loading impairs blood flow and accelerates fatigue faster