The Mental Workload Scale can be used to evaluate the cognitive load imposed on a worker by a work environment. This can be used for monitoring worker performance, errors and absenteeism.
The worker response is usually for the average mental workload for an entire work period. Alternatively peak and trough levels can be reported.
Parameters:
(1) activity
(2) cognitive demands (decision making, problem solving, etc)
(3) free time
|
Activity Level |
Demands |
Free Time |
Scale |
|
none |
none |
all of the period |
1 |
|
mild |
minimal |
most |
2 |
|
moderate |
mild. easy |
some |
3 |
|
busy |
challenging |
little |
4 |
|
very busy |
demanding |
minimal |
5 |
|
extremely busy |
very difficult |
none |
6 |
|
overloaded |
impossible |
none |
7 |
An average workload scale of 7 indicates an unsafe situation, since essential tasks may not be performed. There is some risk with low scale readings, since the worker may not be ready to respond to an emergency.
Purpose: To evaluate the average mental workload on a worker over a work period using the mental workload scale.
Specialty: Sports Medicine & Rehabilitation
Objective: disability and performance, psychological response
ICD-10: Y96,
