ABSTRACT
This paper looks at the rating performance of raters using an observational physical ergonomic risk assessment instrument with which they had little or no experience. The physical stresses that are rated using this assessment instrument are: hand activity level, hand force, wrist flexion/extension, wrist radial/ulnar deviation, forearm rotation, elbow flexion, shoulder posture, neck posture, and back posture. Each stress is rated on a scale from 0 to 10 as described by W. A. Latko et al. (1997). Reliability and repeatability for this instrument for trained raters has previously been reported by Latko et al, but little is known about how individuals new to the instrument perform and how many jobs are needed to calibrate them.
