An Evaluation of Two Methods for the Injury Risk Assessment of Lifting Jobs*

This paper compares two methods of evaluating the risk potential of manual materials handling jobs. This comparison is based upon two large field studies. A total of 101 different lifting jobs were analyzed using each of the two methods. Injury profiles, representing a total of over one million hours of worker exposure, were also compiled. The results indicate that the two methods tend to agree in their risk assessment of most jobs. The results also indicate that the assessments tend to be correct when compared to observed injury statistics. There are, however, certain differences between the two methods. These and other points are also discussed.