Principles of Ergonomic Risk Assessment using Rapid Entire Body Assessment (REBA)

Abstract

Ergonomic risk assessment is a crucial process for analyzing and preventing injuries resulting from improper work postures. The Rapid Entire Body Assessment (REBA) is a tool used to assess work-related risks through rapid and efficient evaluation of overall body posture. REBA was developed to enable assessors to quickly evaluate work postures without special equipment or extensive specialized knowledge. This tool is designed to assess both upper and lower body postures, as well as complex movements and tasks.

The principles of REBA involve breaking down the assessment into different body parts, including the neck, shoulders, arms, back, legs, and wrists. Assessors score each part based on predetermined risk levels, and combine these scores to calculate an overall risk score for the work posture. REBA helps employers and workplace safety managers identify and improve high-risk postures swiftly, reducing the risk of injury and enhancing long-term employee performance.