Automatic calculation of REBA for animated load handling

Over the years, technological innovation has played a fundamental role in various fields, particularly in production systems, in most modern companies, human resources increasingly work alongside advanced technological support. However, the human factor remains central to operational processes, ensuring workers’ needs are met while maintaining efficiency and safety. This study aims to develop a system capable of automatically assessing ergonomic isk through image acquisition. Specifically, it focuses on the automatic calculation of the Rapid Entire Body Assessment (REBA) index, which is particularly suitable for evaluating ergonomic risks associated with handling animated loads. One of the most significant applications of REBA is in the healthcare sector, where nurses and doctors frequently move patients. To validate the technology, ten different poses were performed by ten subjects, and the final REBA index for each pose was compared with an ergonomist’s assessment, demonstrating an almost perfect concordance. Additionally, five different tasks were simulated in a laboratory setting, with a second subject acting as the patient. This experiment highlights the significant physical effort required of healthcare staff during patient handling, particularly the strain on the trunk and arms, underscoring the potential ergonomic risks involved in these tasks.