This Rapid Entire Body Assessment (REBA) Worksheet Tool Guide will teach you how to use the REBA tool. The REBA tool was developed to identify high risk postures within the whole body. The guide provides a step by step guide with free PDF download.
Understanding the Rapid Entire Body Assessment (REBA)
Introduction
The Rapid Entire Body Assessment (REBA), developed by Sue Hignett and Lynn McAtamney in 2000, is a tool designed to evaluate whole-body working postures for risks of work-related musculoskeletal disorders (WMSDs). It collects data on postures, movement types, repetition, forces applied, and handling methods. The resulting REBA score indicates the risk level and urgency for corrective actions.
REBA builds on the Rapid Upper Limb Assessment (RULA), created in 1993, which focuses primarily on the upper limbs and neck. In contrast, REBA assesses the entire body, making it suitable for tasks involving diverse postures and loads.
Key Features of REBA
- Speed and Simplicity: REBA is a quick tool; with practice, assessments can be completed in minutes.
- Versatile Load Handling: It evaluates both animate (e.g., patients) and inanimate loads, whether handled frequently or infrequently.
- Relative Risk Scoring: The score provides a comparative risk level, not an absolute measure.
- Part of Broader Ergonomics: REBA serves as a screening tool within larger ergonomic evaluations, focusing on biomechanical and postural loading.
- Efficient Assessments: It requires minimal time and generates scores that map to clear action levels for interventions.
- Snapshot of High-Risk Postures: REBA captures the most critical posture in a task, such as those held longest or involving high force.
REBA Scoring System and Action Levels
REBA’s scoring breaks down into levels that guide the urgency of responses:
- Score 1: Negligible risk – no action needed.
- Score 2-3: Low risk – changes may be needed.
- Score 4-7: Medium risk – investigate further and implement changes soon.
- Score 8-10: High risk – investigate and implement changes promptly.
- Score 11+: Very high risk – implement changes immediately.
Step-by-Step Guide to Conducting a REBA Assessment
Follow these six steps for a thorough evaluation:
- Observe the Task
Combine interviews and observations to understand the task fully. Watch multiple cycles (ideally while filming) and have the worker voice concerns. Ensure the entire task cycle is observed before selecting postures. - Select Postures for Assessment
Choose postures based on:
- Longest duration.
- Highest apparent risk.
- Association with heaviest loads.
- Most frequent repetition.
- Highest muscle activity.
- Known discomfort from observations/interviews.
- Awkward, unstable, or extreme positions, especially with high force.
- Score the Postures
Use a REBA worksheet to complete:
- Table A: Neck, trunk, and leg posture scores.
- Table B: Upper arm, lower arm, and wrist scores.
- Process the Scores
Combine Table A and B results in Table C to calculate an initial score. - Establish the Final REBA Score
Add the activity score (accounting for load, repetition, and coupling) to the Table C score. - Determine Action Level
Compare the final score to the action levels above to prioritize control measures.
Conclusion
REBA is an essential tool for identifying and mitigating ergonomic risks in workplaces. If your organization needs assistance from a chartered ergonomist or help with ergonomic assessments, contact us.
Morgan Maxwell can also supply Industrial ergonomics AI powered software to automate the completion of REBA Assessments.
If your organisation requires support from a Chartered Ergonomist or for support to complete an ergonomic workplace assessment please contact us.
Download you free REBA Infographic here – Rapid Entire Body Assessment (REBA) PDF Worksheet
Need help with your MSD/RSI/Ergonomic Risk Assessment and overall MSD prevention and ergonomics improvement process? Contact Morgan Maxwell today to speak with a Chartered Ergonomist. We can help you identify the right ergonomic risk assessment, checklist, tool, or evaluation for the job. If you’re unsure whether you need a Chartered Ergonomist’s expertise, see our blog post first: What is a Chartered Ergonomist?, and drop us a line with any questions.
