Core Knowledge Areas Flashcards
7 cards from real AEP practice questions. Tap to flip, then mark Knew It or Still Learning — missed cards come back until you master them.
Read the first 7 Core Knowledge Areas flashcards as text
Which biomechanical principle explains why bending at the waist to lift a load significantly increases lumbar disc compression compared to bending at the knees?
Answer: The moment arm of the load is longer when the spine is flexed forward
When the spine flexes forward, the horizontal distance (moment arm) from the lumbar spine to the load increases, dramatically multiplying the compressive force on the discs.
A workstation assessment reveals a keyboard tray positioned so the worker's elbows are bent at 110°. What is the primary ergonomic concern with this configuration?
Answer: Elbow flexion beyond 90° increases forearm extensor muscle activity and carpal tunnel pressure
Elbows flexed beyond 90° can elevate pressure within the carpal tunnel and increase muscle activity in forearm extensors, raising cumulative trauma risk.
In the NIOSH Revised Lifting Equation, what does the Asymmetry Multiplier (AM) penalize?
Answer: Twisting of the torso away from the sagittal plane during the lift
The AM accounts for trunk rotation (asymmetry angle) during lifting, which increases spinal loading beyond sagittal-plane lifts.
What is the primary purpose of conducting a Rapid Upper Limb Assessment (RULA)?
Answer: To screen upper-extremity posture and muscle use for MSD risk
RULA is an observational screening tool that scores upper-limb postures, muscle use, and force to identify musculoskeletal disorder risk levels.
According to anthropometric design principles, a workstation designed for the 5th to 95th percentile accommodation would exclude approximately what percentage of users?
Answer: 10%
Designing for the 5th–95th percentile range accommodates 90% of the target population, excluding the extreme 5% at each tail (10% total).
Which control measure represents the highest level of the ergonomics hierarchy of controls?
Answer: Redesigning the job task to eliminate the hazardous motion entirely
Elimination—removing the hazard at the source through job or process redesign—is the most effective control at the top of the hierarchy.
A manufacturing worker develops lateral epicondylitis (tennis elbow). Which job factor is MOST directly associated with this condition?
Answer: Repetitive wrist extension and forearm pronation/supination under force
Lateral epicondylitis is strongly linked to repeated or forceful wrist extension and forearm rotation, which overload the common extensor tendon at the lateral epicondyle.