MSD Risk Checklist
Position
Date
Task
Observer
High Repetition Motions
Moderate Risk
High Risk
More than 2 hours total per day
More than 4 hours total per day
Repeating same
motion with the
neck, shoulders,
elbows, wrists,
hands or feet with
little or no variation
every few seconds
Awkward Postures
(Hint: 30˚ = 5 minutes past the hour hand)
■ Mod
More than 2 hours total
per day
■ High
More than 2 hours total per day
combined with awkward wrist
posture and forceful grip; OR
more than 6 hours total per day
Contact Stress
Neck flexed
greater than 30˚
Neck extended
greater than 10˚
■ Mod
■ High
Back flexed
greater than 30˚
■ Mod
■ High
Back laterally flexed
greater than 10˚
■ High
Hand(s)
or elbow(s)
behind body
■ Mod
■ Mod
■ Mod
■ High
Elbow(s) forward,
greater than 60˚
■ High
■ Mod
■ High
Neck laterally flexed
greater than 30˚
■ Mod
■ High
Trunk rotated
greater than 30˚
■ Mod
■ High
Arm(s)
reaching
laterally,
greater than 60˚
■ Mod
■ High
Neck rotated
greater than 30˚
■ Mod
■ High
Hands above the
head, or elbows
above the shoulders
■ Mod
■ High
Squatting or
Kneeling
■ Mod
■ High
Mobility Requirements
Walking
over
rough,
uneven,
slippery or
sloping surfaces
Standing
Stationary
■ Mod
■ High
■ Mod
■ High
Climbing
of stairs,
ladders, or
equipment
■ Mod
Sitting with
no back rest
■ High
■ Mod
Fingertip
Pinch
greater
than 2 kg
■ Mod
More than 2 hours total per day
■ High
More than 3 hours total per day combined
with high reps or awkward wrist postures
One handed
pinch grip
greater
than 4 kg
■ Mod
More than 2 hours total per day
■ High
More than 3 hours total per day combined
with high reps or awkward wrist postures
■ Mod
More than 2 hours total per day
■ High
More than 3 hours total per day combined
with high reps or awkward wrist postures
© 2008 WorkSMART® Pressure from
leaning aganst
a hard edge;
object pressing
into soft tissue
■ Mod
More than 10 times per hour for
more than 2 hours total per day
■ High
More than once per minute for
more than 2 hours total per day
■ Mod
Worker reports moderate pressure with visible depressions on skin
Vibration
High vibratory
tools (impact
jackhammer,
wrench, etc.)
■ Mod
Between 30 and 120 minutes total
per day
■ High
More than 2 hours total per day
Low vibratory
tools (grinders,
sanders,
jigsaws, etc.)
■ Mod
Between 2 and 4 hours total per day
■ High
More than 4 hours continuously
High Risk Manual Material Handling
Heavy
Lifting
■ High
More than 75 pounds once per
day; or More than 55 pounds more
than 10X per day
Awkward
Lifting
■ High
More than 25 pounds above
shoulder, below knees or at arms
length more than 25X per day
Repetitive
Lifting
■ High
More than 10 pounds if done more
than 2X per minute and for more
than 2 hours total per day
■ High
More than 24 lbs force at one time
using just the upper body; OR More
than 50 lbs force at one time using
the whole body
■ High
Forceful Gripping
One
handed
power grip
greater
than 5 kg
Using the
hand or knee
as a hammer
Pushing/
Pulling
Total number of MODERATE
risk elements
Total number of HIGH
risk elements
Task Priority Considerations √
Have injuries been recorded with this task?
Have employees complained of discomfort while performing this task?
Have high risk elements been identified?
Have moderate risk elements been identified?
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