PLIBEL—A Method Assigned for Identification of Ergonomics Hazards - Fundamentals and Assessment Tools for Occupational Ergonomics - page 781

importance. The concluding report gives an interpretation of the ergonomics working conditions,
starting with the most tiresome movements and postures.
The PLIBEL method is a general assessment method and is not intended for any specific occupation or
task. It observes a part, or the whole, of the body and summarizes the actual identification of ergonomics
hazards in a few sentences.
It is simple and designed for primary checking. For labor inspectors and others looking at many tasks
every day, it is certainly enough to be equipped and well acquainted with the checklist.
PLIBEL is an initial investigative method for the workplace observer to identify ergonomics hazards,
and it can be supplemented by other measurements, for instance, weight and time, or quotations

/

observations from other studies.
Although it is tempting to add up items, to obtain a simple and quantitative measure of ergonomics
conditions after a workplace assessment, PLIBEL should not be modified or used in this way. Different
ergonomics hazards do not have an equal influence, and certain problems can appear with more than one
hazardous factor in the checklist.
Many other methods are intended for a specific occupation or body region and can recordmore detailed
answers. If necessary, these more specific data can easily be used to supplement the PLIBEL questions.

40.3 Example

PLIBEL analysis of the task shown in Figure 40.4 reveals that it entails a risk of musculoskeletal stress
to the lower region of the back, due to the nonresilient walking surface, the unsuitably designed tools
and equipment, and the lack of any possibility to sit and rest. Repetitive and sustained work is performed
with the back flexed slightly forward, bent sideways, and slightly twisted. Loads are repeatedly lifted
manually and often above shoulder height. Note that the text order has been expressed by giving the
most exposed body region and the environmental and instrumental conditions first. The following
phrase gives “the answers” from the body, followed by a description of the tiresome, and perhaps
individual, way of performing the task.

40.4 Reliability and Validity

A reliability and validity study of the method has been performed according to Carmines and Seller. 1
It was tested for construct validity, criterion validity, reliability, and applicability. 3 The agreement

FIGURE 40.4 Example of a task posing ergonomics hazards that was analyzed using PLIBEL. (From Prevention of
Occupational Musculosketetal Injuries. Scand Journ. Of Rehab. Medicine. 35, 1996. With premission.)