RULA (Rapid Upper Limb Assessment) is an observation method developed to assess the risk of musculoskeletal disorders related to working postures. It is based on a systematic analysis of the posture of the trunk, neck, arms, and wrists, taking into account muscular effort and repetitive movements. Each segment of the body is assessed according to angular grids, and the scores are combined to produce an overall score reflecting the level of postural risk.
The final interpretation, based on Table C of the RULA protocol (see attached PDF), allows the risk to be rated on a scale of 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.
Scientific articles on which the method is based:
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.