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.
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