Background: Observational instruments, such as the Rapid Entire Body Assessment, quickly assess biomechanical risks present in the workplace. However, in order to use these instruments, it is necessary to conduct the translational/cross-cultural adaptation of the instrument and test its measurement properties. Objectives: To perform the translation and the cross-cultural adaptation to Brazilian-Portuguese and test the reliability of the REBA instrument. Method:The procedures of translation and cross-cultural adaptation to Brazilian-Portuguese were conducted following proposed guidelines that involved translation, synthesis of translations, back translation, committee review and testing of the pre-final version. In addition, reliability and the intra- and inter-rater percent agreement were obtained with the Linear Weighted Kappa Coefficient that was associated with the 95% Confidence Interval and the cross tabulation 2×2. Results: The procedures for translation and adaptation were adequate and the necessary adjustments were conducted on the instrument. The intra- and inter-rater reliability showed values of 0.104 to 0.504, respectively, ranging from very poor to moderate. The percentage agreement values ranged from 5.66% to 69.81%. The percentage agreement was closer to 100% at the item 'upper arm' (69.81%) for the Intra-rater 1 and at the items 'legs' and 'upper arm' for the Intra-rater 2 (62.26%). Conclusions: The processes of translation and cross-cultural adaptation were conducted on the REBA instrument and the Brazilian version of the instrument was obtained. However, despite the reliability of the tests used to correct the translated and adapted version, the reliability values are unacceptable according to the guidelines standard, indicating that the reliability must be re-evaluated. Therefore, caution in the interpretation of the biomechanical risks measured by this instrument should be taken.

Introduction: Among the methods of measurement of the biomechanical risk factors available in the literature, the observational methods have greater applicability in occupational practice. Objective: To identify observational methods used in Brazilian workers to identify and to evaluate their translation/cross-cultural adaptation procedures and measuring property tests. Methods: Three search strategies were used in MEDLINE, EMBASE, CINAHL, LILACS and SCIELO. After a review of titles and abstracts, potential articles were read in full for inclusion and subsequent extraction of data related to translation, cross-cultural adaptation and measurement properties of the observational methods. Results: 5349 potential studies were found and 29 were eligible for inclusion. The methods used in Brazilian workers were: AET, NIOSH, OCRA, OWAS, QEC, RARME, REBA and RULA. All procedures regarding the translation and cross-cultural adaptation were positive for the QEC and REBA. The translation, synthesis of the translations and review committee procedures were doubtful for the OCRA method. The QEC measuring properties showed negative reliability, doubtful internal consistency, and positive agreement and construct validity. The REBA showed negative reliability and agreement. The RARME presented positive reliability and negative construct validity.