*1.4. Rapid Upper Limb Assessment (RULA) Method*

The RULA method was designed in 1993 by McAtamney and Corlett. Its objective is to know if workers are exposed to MSD risk factors in the upper extremities during the performance of their work [20].

The method assesses three factors: the posture of the different areas of the body, the load or force exerted and the muscle activity (static posture or repetitive movements). The body regions which RULA focuses on are divided into two groups [31]:

	- ➢ Level 1 (Score: 1–2). No action is needed.
	- ➢ Level 2 (Score: 3–4). Measures should be taken, but not in the short term.
	- ➢ Level 3 (Score 5–6). Measures should be taken in the short term.
	- ➢ Level 4 (Score 7). Urgent action must be taken.

**Figure 3.** RULA Scores [20,31].
