Influence of lift moment in determining MAWL

An experiment was performed to determine whether maximum acceptable weight of lift (MAWL) estimates were consistent with previously reported values when the MAWL was determined without visual feedback during the weight adjustment period. Twelve healthy male students performed four lifting tasks similar to those often performed in previous psychophysical studies: floor to knuckle at 1 lift per min, floor to knuckle at 4.3 lifts per min, knuckle to shoulder at 1 lift per min, and knuckle to shoulder at 4.3 lifts per min. When compared with the previous studies with similar box dimensions, similar trends between the conditions were present, but a slight reduction in weight was usually chosen by the participant in this study. However, the results of this study agreed with previous psychophysical studies when the distance of the load from the spine (moment arm) was taken into consideration by either comparing the MAWLs with those of a large box or by comparing load moments. Hence this study shows that eliminating visual feedback during the adjustment periods did not significantly alter the MAWLs from previous studies. It also indicates that one must use caution when applying the MAWL in the workplace because the MAWL is very sensitive to moment arm.