Using the NLE calculator, input the following information and answer the following questions.

https://www.cdc.gov/niosh/topics/ergonomics/nlecalc.html

https://www.cdc.gov/niosh/topics/noise/app.html

• Go to calculate LI/CLI, then go to settings and select metric units.
• For sig. control, select no.
• For hand location, enter 20 cm for horizontal origin. For vertical hand location, enter 25 cm for origin and 50 cm for destination.
• For asymmetry, enter 90. For load weight, enter 15 kg for both average and minimum. For frequency, enter 0.5 (1 lift every 2 minutes). For duration, select 2-8 hours. For coupling, select poor.

1. Select calculate. What is the lifting index? What does this number mean in terms of risk to the worker?
2. Using the same numbers, change coupling to good. What is the resulting lifting index? What is coupling and how does changing it impact the safety of the task?
3. With coupling changed to good, change asymmetry to 0. What is the resulting lifting index? What does changing asymmetry from 90 to 0 mean from a practical perspective? Is the task safe?
4. Provide a discussion on how manipulating the parameters of the task changed the lifting index.
5. If you were an Ergonomist asked to advise a company, what three suggestions would you give them to ensure a lifting task is safe? You can discuss any of the parameters included in the NIOSH lifting equation.

Part 2: Sound Level Meter

Using the sound level meter application, go to noise info and read the instructions on how to conduct a noise survey. You may use the following link when answering your questions:

Noise and Occupational Hearing Loss.

1. Select three different environments and complete a noise survey in each. Select one that you perceive as quiet, one that you perceive as moderate, and one that you perceive as loud. Each survey should last at least 30 seconds. Suggestions include in your own home, a public place like a restaurant or store, the classroom before class, close to a construction site, or close to a running lawn mower (or snow blower) or other equipment you may use regularly. For each measurement, indicate where the survey was completed and provide all the data you can view in the application.
2. Provide a discussion of the safety of each of the locations you surveyed, referring to NIOSH guidelines. Were you surprised by the numbers?
3. What are the risks of prolonged and frequent exposure to noise? What can be done to reduce the risk of hearing loss? You must use at least 2 peer-reviewed sources to formulate your answer.