Postgraduate Diploma in Quantitative Ergonomic Assessment (RULA/REBA/NIOSH)
Online 800-hour Postgraduate Diploma in Quantitative Ergonomic Assessment (RULA/REBA/NIOSH). 8 modules covering ISO 11228-1 (manual handling, lifting and carrying), ISO 11228-3 (handling of light loads at high frequency) and Ergo/IBV. Assigned tutor and open enrolment.
Take the controls.
Run a real engineering trade-off from this programme. Move the sliders, watch the model react in real time and beat the challenge.
What you will be able to do
Relate risk factors to musculoskeletal disorders.
Apply the RULA method to upper limb tasks.
Apply the REBA method to whole-body postures.
Calculate the recommended weight limit using the NIOSH equation.
Select other quantitative methods such as OCRA or Snook and Ciriello.
Carry out instrumented measurements of posture and exertion.
Design ergonomic interventions and evaluate their effectiveness.
Who it's for
- Ergonomist wanting to specialise in Quantitative Ergonomic Assessment (RULA/REBA/NIOSH).
- Higher technician in ergonomics prevention wanting to specialise in Quantitative Ergonomic Assessment (RULA/REBA/NIOSH).
- Process engineer with an ergonomics focus wanting to specialise in Quantitative Ergonomic Assessment (RULA/REBA/NIOSH).
- Ergonomics consultant wanting to specialise in Quantitative Ergonomic Assessment (RULA/REBA/NIOSH).
- Workstation designer wanting to specialise in Quantitative Ergonomic Assessment (RULA/REBA/NIOSH).
- Occupational physiotherapist wanting to specialise in Quantitative Ergonomic Assessment (RULA/REBA/NIOSH).
- Engineering or science graduates looking to enter the automotive sector.
What you'll work with
- ISO 11228-1 (manual handling, lifting and carrying)
- ISO 11228-3 (handling of light loads at high frequency)
- ISO 11226 (static working postures)
- ISO 11228-2 (pushing and pulling)
- Royal Decree 487/1997 (manual handling of loads)
- ISO/TR 12295 (application guide for ISO 11228 and ISO 11226)
- EN 1005-4 (postures and movements on machinery)
8 modules · 800 h
1.1Work-related musculoskeletal disorders1.2Biomechanical risk factors1.3Psychosocial and organisational factors1.4Royal Decree 487/1997 on manual handling of loads1.5INSST technical guides1.6ISO 11228 standard, parts 1, 2 and 31.7ISO 11226 standard on static postures1.8Selecting assessment methods1.9Initial risk identification1.10Case study: ergonomic screening of an assembly line
2.1Fundamentals and application of RULA2.2Group A: upper arm, forearm and wrist2.3Group B: neck, trunk and legs2.4Muscle activity and force scores2.5Final score tables2.6Action levels2.7Selecting postures to assess2.8Limitations of the method2.9Inter-rater reliability2.10Practical: RULA assessment of an assembly workstation
3.1Fundamentals and application of REBA3.2Trunk, neck and leg scores3.3Arm and wrist scores3.4Load, grip and activity3.5Risk and action levels3.6Differences between REBA and RULA3.7Application in the healthcare sector3.8Assessing variable tasks3.9Software to support assessment3.10Practical: REBA assessment of patient handling
4.1Revised NIOSH equation (1991)4.2Load constant and multipliers4.3Horizontal and vertical distances4.4Displacement and asymmetry4.5Frequency and duration4.6Coupling quality4.7Lifting index4.8Composite index for multiple tasks4.9Variable and sequential indices4.10Laboratory: NIOSH calculation for a palletising task
5.1OCRA for repetitive movements5.2Revised Strain Index5.3Snook and Ciriello tables5.4KIM method5.5OWAS method5.6Assessment of pushing and pulling5.7Assessment of forced postures5.8Comparing results across methods5.9Selecting a method by task5.10Case study: OCRA of a packaging workstation
6.1Motion capture with inertial sensors6.2Computer vision for postures6.3Electromyography in ergonomics6.4Dynamometers and force measurement6.5Electronic goniometry6.6Digital ergonomics: Jack and Process Simulate6.7Automating RULA and REBA6.8Validation against observation6.9Privacy in monitoring6.10Laboratory: automated RULA with IMU
7.1Intervention hierarchy7.2Workstation redesign and working heights7.3Mechanical handling aids7.4Industrial exoskeletons7.5Job rotation7.6Breaks and work organisation7.7Participatory ergonomics7.8Before-and-after assessment7.9Cost-benefit analysis7.10Workshop: redesign of a workstation with a high REBA score
8.1Workstation selection8.2Task analysis8.3Recording postures and loads8.4Assessment with RULA and REBA8.5Assessment with NIOSH8.6Comparison of results8.7Redesign proposal8.8Technical report8.9Written report and presentation8.10Final review with the tutor
How you'll learn
100% online training on the SEIUM Institute campus, with downloadable material, recorded classes and an assigned technical tutor. No fixed timetables: students progress at their own pace within the enrolment period, making it possible to combine the programme with work.
Each module combines theory, guided reading of the original standard and applied exercises. The working software is Ergo/IBV, Siemens Tecnomatix Jack, Kinovea, Excel advanced, in free, academic or evaluation versions. Case work is based on real procedures for observing and recording workstations, measurement with inertial sensors, and application of the NIOSH equation to real tasks. Assessment is continuous, module by module, plus a final integrative project.
Build it end to end
Your final project follows the real engineering workflow, step by step, reviewed by your tutor.
Relate risk factors to musculoskeletal disorders.
Apply the RULA method to upper limb tasks.
Apply the REBA method to whole-body postures.
Calculate the recommended weight limit using the NIOSH equation.
Select other quantitative methods such as OCRA or Snook and Ciriello.
Where this takes you
Requirements
- Prior technical training or professional experience in the sector. A university degree is not required.
- Internet connection and a computer capable of running the programme's software.
- Sufficient Spanish to follow technical standards documentation.
Ready to start?
Send your application today. Our admissions team replies within 72 hours with your study plan and funding options.
Frequently asked questions
The programme totals 800 hours, spread over 6 to 8 months. That is an average of 10 to 15 hours per week, compatible with a full-time job.
The programme uses Ergo/IBV, Siemens Tecnomatix Jack, Kinovea, Excel advanced. Free, academic or evaluation versions are used, and the tutor will indicate a free alternative where one exists.
A SEIUM Institute own diploma upon passing the continuous assessment and the integrative project. It is in-house training, not an official qualification from the Ministry.
Yes. Modules passed in a Course or Postgraduate Diploma in the same area are recognised towards the higher-level programme. Check the recognition policy when you enrol.
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