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REBA method

The REBA (Rapid Entire Body Assessment) method is a tool for evaluating the risk of biomechanical musculoskeletal disorders (MSDs). It helps quantify biomechanical risks, including uncomfortable postures, repetitive motions, and physical exertion.

Through the REBA method, safety professionals can accurately quantify the level of biomechanical strain experienced by operators, contributing to comprehensive workplace health and safety assessments.

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THE TOOLS AVAILABLE FOR APPLYING THE REBA METHOD

REBA method PDF
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Reba PDF

Automate your ergonomic analyses with Nawo Live, with access to multiple methods and ergonomic standards.

The REBA quotation grid

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Indications

The REBA method (Rapid Entire Body Assessment) assesses different body postures required and difficulty. It assigns a score to each of the following body parts: wrists, forearms, elbows, shoulders, neck, trunk, back, legs, and knees.

The method tables are then used to compile the risk factor variables generating a single score representing the risk level of MSD.

The REBA method uses a scoring system for evaluating postural assessments, encompassing static, dynamic, changing, or unstable positions. 

The REBA score provides a postural risk score, allowing for the quantification of posture criticality.

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Restrictions and limitations

This method is not recommended for evaluating manual handling tasks.

The REBA method examines strengths and activity, but it mainly focuses on work postures.

It does not take into account the duration of the activity, the recovery period, or the vibrations.

It is only designed to assess the right side and the left side of the body separately, and there is no method for combining scores to obtain a result for the whole body.

The combined impact of all activities conducted during a job or task is not considered.

The REBA method does not allow precise evaluation of the tasks linked to small manipulations of objects with the hands.

It does not make it possible to assess tasks requiring long travel or very varied and unpredictable tasks.

This method lacks precision in analysing the frequency of efforts or certain postures very specific to production.

ANALYSIS PROCEDURE

Step 1 – Analysis of the request

Analysis of the request and development of the criteria for choosing the work situations to be observed.

Step 2 – Observation of the workstations

Observation of all the elements of the workstation (the gestures of the operator, the tools used).

Identification of possible interactions between the different elements.

Selection of the posture to be evaluated.

Step 3 – Activity

Assessment of critical postures using RULA-type postural assessment methods to estimate their risk levels.

Step 4 – Processing the results of the analysis

Analysis of the postural data making it possible to draw up the list of priorities and to seek solutions and proposals for improvement.

Step 5 – Formulation of improvements

Formulation of improvements based on the results of the analysis and implementation of corrective measures taking into account the identified risks.

Step 6 – Reassessment of the work situation

A new assessment of the workstation makes it possible to study the impact, and benefits, of the corrective measures on the postural risk.

Interested in REBA method ?

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Apply the REBA method with Nawo Live

Nawo Live is your physical activity risk assessment tool for identifying risk factors for musculoskeletal disorders (MSDs).

In Nawo Live, automate and evaluate all biomechanical risk factors using reference methods (RULA, REBA, NIOSH, etc.).

Nawo Live guarantees you a reliability of the measurements acquired by our systems, including :

  • Automation of MSD risk factor calculations
  • Reliability of acquired data
  • Time saved by analysing thousands of postures
  • Exportable statistics in Excel format providing decision support