Which ergonomic risk assessment tool is commonly used?

• A. RULA
• B. REBA
• C. OWAS
• D. Strain Index

Answer: (B)

The main idea is choosing a tool that can be applied quickly across a range of tasks to screen for whole-body musculoskeletal risk. REBA, which stands for Rapid Entire Body Assessment, is designed to evaluate postures of the trunk, neck, arms, and legs, along with factors like force, repetition, and coupling, to produce an overall risk score and action levels. Its broad scope and straightforward scoring make it a practical, widely adopted method for quick screenings in many industries, helping practitioners compare tasks and prioritize interventions. By contrast, RULA concentrates mostly on upper limb postures, which can miss risks in the lower body; OWAS is older and often less sensitive for current workflows; and the Strain Index targets hand-intensive tasks with emphasis on force and repetition rather than the whole-body posture. Because of its versatility and user-friendly scoring, REBA is the most commonly used choice for quick, comprehensive ergonomic risk assessment.