[A psychophysical evaluation of NIOSH Lifting Equation in a Chinese young male population: a pilot study].
OBJECTIVE
To determine the maximum acceptable weight of lift (MAWL) in a Chinese young male population, and examine whether the revised weight limit recommended by the US. National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health can be used for Chinese workers.


METHODS
Eleven young male college students participated in the experiment. The psychophysical approach was used to determine the MAWL with the different frequencies of lift, the heart rate and the self-evaluation. The weight was lifted from the floor to the work-table (760 mm). The results were compared with the recommended weight limit (RWL) and the MAWL by Snook.


RESULTS
The MAWL of young male was 34.1 kg while the MAWL with frequency of 1, 4 and 8/min was 17.4, 14.7 and 12.2 kg respectively. The overall MAWL were lower than RWL of NIOSH and the results of Snook.


CONCLUSIONS
The NIOSH 1991 equation such as load constant and frequency multiple should be revised when the NIOSH limits is used in Chinese population.
Xiao
Guo-Bing
GB
Ningbo Municipal Agency for Public Health Inspection, Ningbo, Zhejiang Province 315010, China.
Liang
You-Xin
YX
D000328:Adult; D044466:Asian People; D006801:Humans; D017770:Lifting; D008297:Male; D053580:Muscle Strength; D009314:National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health, U.S.; D005082:Physical Exertion; D010865:Pilot Projects; D011601:Psychophysics; D012016:Reference Values; D014481:United States; D055815:Young Adult