Industrial Ergonomics Flashcards
7 cards from real CEA practice questions. Tap to flip, then mark Knew It or Still Learning — missed cards come back until you master them.
Read the first 7 Industrial Ergonomics flashcards as text
Which REBA (Rapid Entire Body Assessment) body region is scored FIRST before scoring other segments?
Answer: Neck
In REBA, the neck posture is the first body part scored in Group B (neck, trunk, legs), providing the starting point for the posture scoring table.
A stamping press operator must activate the press with a foot pedal while standing. The PRIMARY ergonomic concern with this arrangement is:
Answer: Unilateral weight-bearing and postural instability while one foot activates the pedal
Using one foot on the pedal while standing shifts all body weight to the stance leg, creating postural instability and asymmetric lower extremity loading.
Under the NIOSH Lifting Equation, a Recommended Weight Limit (RWL) of 15 lbs with an actual load of 45 lbs yields a Lifting Index (LI) of 3.0. This means:
Answer: The task poses a significant risk and redesign is required
A Lifting Index above 1.0 indicates risk, and an LI of 3.0 represents a substantially hazardous lift that exceeds safe limits for most workers and requires job redesign.
Which ergonomic principle is applied when a tool's center of gravity is balanced over the grip point?
Answer: Tool balance reducing wrist torque needed to maintain orientation
A balanced tool requires minimal wrist muscle activation to keep the tool oriented correctly, reducing static loading and fatigue in the forearm and wrist.
In ergonomic program management, a 'leading indicator' of MSD risk is BEST described as:
Answer: Results of proactive workstation assessments and risk scores before injuries occur
Leading indicators measure proactive safety activities (like hazard assessments) that predict future injury risk, as opposed to lagging indicators that count injuries after they occur.
A worker reports tingling and numbness in the thumb, index, and middle fingers that worsens at night. This pattern MOST suggests:
Answer: Carpal tunnel syndrome (median nerve compression)
Numbness and tingling in the median nerve distribution (thumb, index, middle, and radial half of ring finger) that worsens at night is a classic presentation of carpal tunnel syndrome.
Which ergonomic intervention strategy follows the hierarchy of controls at the highest (most effective) level?
Answer: Redesigning the task to eliminate the lifting hazard entirely
Elimination of the hazard (e.g., removing the need to lift manually) is the highest level in the hierarchy of controls and most effective at preventing injury.