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Genilogic

ART Tool

If the task involves manual handling, consider using the MAC tool

hour 1 hour 2 hour 3 hour 4 hour 5 hour 6 hour 7 hour 8 hour 9 hour 10 hour 11 hour 12

Frequency and repetition

Observe the movement of the arm and select the category that is most appropriate. It is possible to select intermediate scores. Assess both the left (L) and right (R) arm

Left Right
Arm movements are Infrequent (eg some intermittent movement)
Frequent (eg regular movement with some pauses)
Very frequent (eg almost continuous movement)

This refers to movement of the arm and hand, but not the fingers. Observe the movement of the arm and hand and count the number of times the same or a similar pattern of motion is repeated over a set period of time (eg 1 minute). Assess both the left (L) and right (R) arm.

Left Right
Similar motion pattern of the arm and hand is repeated 10 times per minute or less
11–20 times per minute
More than 20 times per minute

Force

Use the grid below to determine the level of force exerted with the hand and the amount of time that the force is exerted. It is possible to select intermediate scores on the grid if appropriate. If more than one type of force is exerted, select the highest score obtained with the grid. There are two methods to determine the level of hand force:

  • Ask the person doing the work if there are any actions that require muscle effort of the arm, hand or fingers. If such actions are identified, ask the worker to describe the level of force involved in each action (eg light force, moderate force, strong force, or very strong force).
  • Otherwise, use the written descriptions below to determine the level of force exerted with the hand.

Light force There is no indication of any particular effort
Moderate force Force needs to be exerted. For example:
  • Pinching or gripping objects with some effort
  • Moving levers or pushing buttons with some effort
  • Manipulating lids or components with some effort
  • Pushing or forcing items together with some effort
  • Using tools with some effort
Strong force Force is obviously high, strong or heavy
Very strong force Force is near to the maximum level that the worker can apply



Worker’s description of the level of force exerted with the hand
Light Moderate Strong Very strong
Infrequent
Part of the time (15–30%)
About half the time (40–60%)
Almost all the time (80% or more)

Awkward postures

The neck is considered to be bent or twisted if an obvious angle between the neck and back can be observed as a result of performing the task.

In an almost neutral posture
Bent or twisted part of the time (eg 15–30%)
Bent or twisted more than half of the time (more than 50%)

The back posture is considered awkward if more than 20° of twisting or bending is observed.

In an almost neutral posture
Bent forward, sideways or twisted part of the time
Bent forward, sideways or twisted for more than half of the time

The arm is considered to adopt an awkward posture if the elbow is raised to around chest height and the arm is unsupported (eg not resting on a workbench).

The elbow is: Left Right
Kept close to the body or supported
Raised away from the body part of the time
Raised away from the body more than half of the time

The wrist is considered to be bent or deviated if an obvious wrist angle can be observed.

The wrist is: Left Right
Almost straight/in a neutral position
Bent or deviated part of the time
Bent or deviated more than half of the time
The hands or fingers hold objects in a: Left Right
Power grip or do not grip awkwardly
Pinch or wide finger grip for part of the time
Pinch or wide finger grip for more than half of the time

Additional factors

Determine the maximum amount of time that individuals perform the repetitive task without a break. Breaks are significant changes or pauses (eg of at least 5–10 minutes) in arm or hand activity. They include structured breaks such as meal breaks. They also include time spent performing other tasks that do not involve similar repetitive arm movements (eg a visual inspection task).

The worker performs the task continuously, without a break, for:
Less than one hour, or there are frequent short breaks (eg of at least 10 seconds) every few minutes over the whole work period
1 hour to less than 2 hours
2 hours to less than 3 hours
3 hours to less than 4 hours
4 hours or more

Speak to the workers about any difficulties they might have keeping up with the work. Select the most appropriate category. If the score is amber or red, ask for more information about this aspect of the work.

Not difficult to keep up with the work
Sometimes difficult to keep up with the work
Often difficult to keep up with the work

Identify any other factors that are present in the task. For example:

  • gloves affect gripping and make the handling task more difficult
  • a tool (eg hammer, pick) is used to strike two or more times a minute
  • the hand is used as a tool (eg hammer) and struck ten or more times per hour
  • the tools, workpiece or workstation cause compression of the skin
  • the tools or workpiece cause discomfort or cramping of the hand or fingers
  • the hand/arm is exposed to vibration
  • the task requires fine precise movements of the hand or fingers
  • operators are exposed to cold or draughts or grip cold tools
  • lighting levels are inadequate.
Select the most appropriate category. Assess both the left and right arm.

Left Right
No factors present
One factor is present
Two or more factors are present