The RULA (Rapid Upper Limb Assessment) is an observation method developed to assess the risks of musculoskeletal disorders related to work postures. It is based on a systematic analysis of the posture of the trunk, neck, arms, and wrists, taking into account muscle exertion and the repetitiveness of movements. Each body segment is evaluated according to angular grids, and the scores are combined to produce an overall score reflecting the level of postural risk.
The final interpretation, derived from table C of the RULA protocol (see attached PDF), allows the risk to be placed on a scale from 1 to 7. The lowest scores correspond to acceptable postures under normal conditions of duration and frequency, while the highest scores indicate situations requiring rapid intervention.
Foundational scientific articles of the method:
McAtamney, L., & Corlett, E. N. (1993). RULA: a survey method for the investigation of work-related upper limb disorders. Applied ergonomics, 24(2), 91-99.
McAtamney, L., & Corlett, N. (2004). Rapid upper limb assessment (RULA). In Handbook of human factors and ergonomics methods (pp. 86-96). CRC Press.