Ergonomic Strength and Manual handling

Ergonomic strength testing is a structured method for measuring an individual's capacity to perform physical tasks safely and efficiently. By quantifying muscle strength, range of motion, and force application, it helps identify risks linked to manual handling, repetitive strain, and other workplace activities.

In occupational environments, this testing ensures that employees are physically capable of meeting job demands without compromising safety. In healthcare and rehabilitation, it is used to track patient progress, guide treatment plans, and support recovery following injury or surgery.

Ergonomic strength testing is essential for ensuring that human performance matches task requirements. This alignment reduces the risk of musculoskeletal injuries and improves long-term health outcomes.

Workplace applications

In industrial, logistics, and construction settings, manual handling tasks can present a high risk of strain or injury. Regulatory guidelines often require employers to assess these risks, making ergonomic strength testing a key compliance tool. By measuring lifting, pulling, pushing, gripping, and rotational forces, organisations can:

• Assign roles based on an employee’s physical capacity.
• Reduce the likelihood of injuries from overexertion.
• Optimise workflow by matching tasks to worker strengths.
• Demonstrate compliance with workplace safety standards.

Workplace ergonomic testing is more than a legal requirement, it supports a safer and more productive workforce.

Healthcare and rehabilitation use cases

In healthcare, ergonomic strength testing provides objective data to track recovery from musculoskeletal injuries, neurological conditions, or surgery. Physiotherapists and clinicians use this data to:

• Monitor progress over defined timeframes.
• Adjust rehabilitation programmes based on measurable improvement.
• Establish return-to-work readiness benchmarks.
• Reduce the risk of re-injury by ensuring strength is restored before resuming activities.

Patients also benefit from tangible evidence of progress, which can improve motivation and adherence to treatment plans.

The choice of method depends on whether the focus is workplace assessment, clinical rehabilitation, or research studies.

Tension, compression, and torque testing

Tension testing measures pulling strength or the ability to apply force in a pull motion. In workplace ergonomics, this may simulate pulling a loaded cart or lifting objects vertically. Typical workplace pulling forces range from 150 N to over 500 N, depending on task and role.

Compression testing measures pushing strength, relevant to moving trolleys, operating equipment, or closing heavy doors. Controlled testing ensures safe load levels while identifying strain risk.

Torque testing measures rotational force, such as turning valves, operating screwdrivers, or twisting machinery controls. In industrial and clinical applications, torque is often measured in the range of 1 N·m to 20 N·m for repetitive tasks.

These three measurement types combine to give a complete profile of an individual’s manual handling capability.

Tools and equipment used

Accurate ergonomic strength testing relies on calibrated, high-quality equipment. Common solutions include:

• Myometers for measuring isometric muscle strength in clinical or workplace assessments.
• Manual handling test kits for evaluating pushing, pulling, and lifting under realistic conditions.
• Force gauges and test stands for tension, compression, and torque measurements in controlled settings.

Mecmesin offers systems such as the OmniTest and MultiTest-dV with configurable fixtures for different force types, along with VectorPro software for real-time data capture, automated calculations, and professional reporting.

Routine testing offers measurable benefits for employers, healthcare providers, and safety professionals:

• Injury prevention by identifying limitations before they cause harm.
• Improved compliance with ISO 11228 and EN 1005 ergonomic and manual handling standards.
• Productivity gains by matching tasks to physical capability.
• Better recovery outcomes through structured rehabilitation tracking.
• Data-driven decision making for job design, workplace layout, and safety training.

Mecmesin’s ergonomic and manual handling testing solutions are engineered for precision, repeatability, and ease of use across industrial and clinical environments.

Specialist tools for human force measurement

From compact myometers for physiotherapy clinics to full-scale manual handling test systems for workplace assessment, Mecmesin designs equipment specifically for measuring human force safely and accurately.

Reliable and compliant results

Mecmesin instruments are trusted worldwide by safety officers, occupational health teams, and rehabilitation specialists. All systems are built for consistent performance, meeting relevant ergonomic safety and manual handling standards. Configurable fixtures, robust construction, and intuitive software integration ensure the equipment adapts to the needs of diverse testing environments.

Ergonomic strength testing plays a vital role in preventing workplace injuries, supporting patient rehabilitation, and meeting regulatory standards. Choosing the right equipment is key to obtaining accurate, actionable results.

Contact a Mecmesin specialist for advice on selecting the most effective ergonomic strength and manual handling testing solution for your application.