OWAS
Ovako Working Posture Analysis System
Overview
OWAS is one of the earliest and most widely used systematic posture assessment methods — designed to evaluate the prevalence and severit y of awkward working postures in industrial environments through structured observation. The method categorises postures of the back, arms, and legs into defined classes and combines them with load or force information to produce an action category from on e to four — indicating whether the working posture is acceptable, requires attention in the near future, requires attention as soon as possible, or requires immediate corrective action. OWAS is particularly suited to tasks involving a wide variety of postu res and is valued for its simplicity and ease of use by non-specialist observers.