💥 What is KIM-BM?
An Effective and Scientific Key Indicator Method for Assessing Physical Strains Related to Body Movement

In occupational health and safety processes, not only lifting or high-force applications, but also the amount and manner of movement performed by the employee throughout the day pose a critical risk in terms of musculoskeletal disorders.

KIM-BM (Key Indicator Method for Body Movement) is a practical and applicable ergonomics assessment tool developed to systematically analyze the physical strains resulting from walking, climbing, moving around, and reaching movements performed by employees during work.

📌 Areas of Application of KIM-BM

The KIM-BM method evaluates the loads resulting from the movement of the body in a work area or between work points, regardless of the type of work requiring high force.

This method is particularly critical in the following tasks:

Furniture handling without moving equipment

Patient transport and transfer operations

Accessing rotating tower cranes or high platforms

Accessing antenna and transmitter systems

Walking for inspection purposes in canals, tunnels, and infrastructure systems

Long-distance movement in construction sites and waterworks areas

Lighting system maintenance work

Maintenance activities in industrial furnace facilities

Culvert, reservoir, and confined space maintenance operations

Workers in these types of tasks are constantly on the move. Even without high force application:

✔ Long-term walking
✔ Movement on uneven terrain
✔ Ladder and vertical access

✔ Frequent changes of direction
✔ Navigation in confined spaces

These factors create a significant risk of physical strain and fatigue.

🎯 Why Use KIM-BM?

Helps detect musculoskeletal disorders in advance

Enables data-driven job design improvement

Reduces absenteeism and workforce loss

Standardizes your ergonomic risk analysis processes

Provides strong documentation in terms of legal obligations

When implemented correctly, KIM-BM becomes not only a risk assessment tool but also a job design strategy that increases productivity.

📌 Differentiation from Other Key Indicator Methods

Each type of physical strain should be assessed differently. Choosing the wrong method can lead to incomplete risk analysis.

🔎 If the sub-action involves high force:

The following methods should also be evaluated:

Whole body forces (KIM-BF)

Lifting, holding, carrying

Pulling and pushing

Manual work processes

🔎 If there are multiple different sub-actions within a workday:

Each action should be analyzed separately (e.g., with the KIM-BM-E application).

⚠ Important:
The risk of strain on the body can only be accurately assessed when all physical exertion experienced during a workday is considered together.

🚀 Strategic Gains for Your Business

Thanks to the KIM-BM application:

You discover ergonomic blind spots in the field

You establish job rotation on a scientific basis

You reduce the risk of fatigue in jobs requiring constant movement

You reduce the costs of work accidents and occupational diseases

You generate strong data for your ESG and sustainability reports

Remember:

Movement is also a strain. Unmeasured movement cannot be managed.
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