Journal of the Korea Safety Management & Science (대한안전경영과학회지)

Korea Safety Management & Science (대한안전경영과학회)
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Review and Comparison of OWAS, RULA and REBA Based on Literature Survey

문헌조사에 기반한 OWAS, RULA 및 REBA의 연구 현황 및 비교

  • Kee, Dohyung (Department of Industrial Engineering, Keimyung University)
  • 기도형 (계명대학교 산업공학과)
  • Received : 2021.02.09
  • Accepted : 2021.03.22
  • Published : 2021.06.30
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Abstract

This study aims to review observational methods for assessing postural loads such as OWAS, RULA and REBA, and to compare them, based on the literature survey. The literature was searched through academic database of ScienceDirect using the key words of observational methods, OWAS, RULA and REBA. The results exhibited that of the thee methods, RULA was cited in the literature and applied to manufacturing industries the most frequently. Although it has been known that RULA is appropriate for assessing upper body postures, it has been applied to healthcare and social work activities, agriculture, forestry, fishing, construction, mining and quarrying, which require unstable lower limb postures. The countries where more number of relevant studies have been carried out were USA, India, Brazil, UK, etc. It was recommended that of the three techniques, RULA may be better for assessing postural loads, because it evaluated postural loads more highly, irrespective of industry, work type and lower limb postures, and its assessment results had higher agreement rate with experts' assessments than those of OWAS and REBA. It is expected that the results of this study will be used as a guideline for selecting an appropriate observational method.

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