Assessment of Validity of Applying the Revised NIOSH Weight Limit of Lifts to Korean Young,Male Population: Psychophysical Approach

This investigation was aimed to study using the psychophysical method if the revised weight limit of lifts recommended by the U.S. National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH) can be used as a limit for the Korean workers. College students and field workers, all of whom were young males, participated in the experiment. The psychophysical experiment and the validation experiment were performed in sagittal plane where lifting frequency and lifting height varied. Main results showed the load constant obtained in this study was about the same as the one recommended in the NIOSH equation, which means that young, healthy, male Korean population can be well protected by the NIOSH equation.