Brian Craig

A Prospective Field Study of the Relationship of Potential Occupational Risk Factors with Occupational Injury/Illness

Twenty-one occupationally related risk factors were measured and prospectively evaluated for statistically significant relationships with occupational injury/illness in 442 manual material handlers, working for three different companies, at nine U.S. locations, and encompassing 15 different job descriptions. OSHA 200 logs were used to ascertain evidence of occupational injury/illness (dichotomous) within this population for 1 year after the testing and measurement were completed. The present study demonstrated evidence of a subset of critical variables significantly related to occupational injury/illness occurrence through the significantly related occupational risk factors presented in the univariate and multivariate models. Higher occurrences of injury/illness were significantly associated with nine risk factors in the univariate model, with odds ratios ranging from 1.11-2.27. The significantly (p<0.05) related risk factors in the univariate model were lifting frequency; weight lifted per day; weight lifted per hour; number of trunk flexions per hour; number of trunk twists per hour; number of trunk motions per hour; number of knee flexions per hour; number of shoulder flexions per hour; and static shoulder flexion. In the multivariate analysis two risk factors were associated with occupational injury/illness. The significantly (p<0.05) related risk factors in the multivariate model were lifting frequency (p=0.0010, odds ratio [OR]=4.47, 95% confidence interval [CI]=[2.38-8.40], and average weight of lift (p=0.0001, OR=1.71, 95% CI=[1.29-2.25]).

Cooling Suits, Physiological Response, and Task Performance in Hot Environments for the Power Industry

Heat stress on workers working outdoors in the power industry may result in fatigue and deterioration in task performance. This research collected and analyzed data on task performance of workers working indoors and outdoors with and without a cooling suit. The task performance was compared on the basis of heart rate, oxygen consumption, tympanic temperature, subjective responses, productivity, and error rates. Based on One-Way Analysis Of Variance (ANOVA) results, a significantly lower estimated working oxygen consumption was observed (p < .001) when the cooling suit was worn. The productivity was higher while workers wore the cooling suit as compared to no cooling suit (p = .011) whereas the error rates were significantly lower(p < .001). Also a significantly lower self-reported discomfort was observed in the neck and shoulders while working wearing the cooling suit (p = .004). This study concluded that wearing a cooling suit while working outdoors was associated with physiological benefits as well as improved task performance of the study participants.

The influence of supporting the Oxylog instrument on estimated maximal aerobic capacity during a step test and heart rate in a lifting test

This study investigated the influence of wearing, an Oxylog mask and heart rate monitor while the Oxylog instrument was supported in a stand versus that of wearing the Oxylog mask, heart rate monitor, and the Oxylog instrument, on oxygen consumption (VO2) and heart rate response during a graduated submaximal step test protocol. Also, the predicted maximal aerobic capacities ( VO2max) produced by the two graduated step tests were compared. In addition, differences in the working heart rates in a submaximal lifting test were analyzed in two lifting tests, one with the participant wearing the Oxylog mask, heart rate monitor, and Oxylog instrument and the other required the participant to only wear a heart monitor. Seventeen experienced male manual materials handlers participated in the study, and each treatment was seen by each participant in a randomized Latin Square design. Results from the two investigations indicate that there was no significant difference in the estimated maximal oxygen consumption (p = 0.1384) and no significant difference in the heart rate between the two lift tests. The analysis did show that the 4th stage (participants reaching their physiological limits) of the step tests indicated a statistically significant difference (p = 0.0259 for oxygen consumption, and p = 0.0465 for heart rate).

Occupational Risk Factors and Back Injury

Twenty-one risk factors affecting laborers in manual materials handling tasks were analyzed to determine what, if any, statistically significant relationships existed between the factors and the emergence of occupational back injury. The statistically significant risk factors (p≤.05) in the univariate analysis were determined to be weight lifted per hour (work intensity), trunk twists per hour, weight lifted per day, frequency of lift, trunk motions per hour, and trunk flexions per hour, with odds ratios (ORs) of 1.28 − 2.88. In addition, self-reported discomfort in the neck, middle back, knees, and lower back was associated with the outcome of back injury (p ≤ .05, OR 1.75-2.66). In the multivariate analysis, the statistically significant risk factors (p≤.05) were weight lifted per hour (work intensity), average weight of lift, and number of trunk twists per hour, with OR s of 1.74-4.98.

Ergonomic program effectiveness: ergonomic and medical intervention.

The implementation of a successful ergonomic and medical intervention program designed to reduce the number and severity of injuries and illnesses and the associated levels of discomfort in the workplace is presented. Because of the recent activity concerning the on-again-off-again Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) Ergonomic Program Standard questions have been raised as to the value and effectiveness of an organization’s ergonomics program. In light of these concerns, the immense cost associated with work-related injury and illness, and the related pain and suffering associated with such injuries and illnesses, it is important to present a workable and effective ergonomic and medical intervention program. The results of this applied study demonstrate that through the application of an ergonomic and medical intervention program, workplace-related injuries and illnesses can be reduced or eliminated.

Effect of Smartphone Use on Upper Extremity and Neck

Smartphones nowadays are very popular and does most of the work from sending emails to attending meetings. However, Smartphone over-use has been studied from years now and there are many proven problems such as neck pain, back pain, headache, arm or wrist pain, psychological discomfort, etc. In this study, effect of screen sizes, task type and one/two hand on user muscle activities was investigated while users perform various tasks on Smartphone. Electromyography was used to assess muscle activities. Results showed that screen size and one/two handed use had significant main effects on users’ muscle activity. Significant interaction effect was also found. For example, significantly less muscle activities were observed in hands while texting with two hands compared to one-hand. Gaming with two hands led to higher muscle activities on large screen Smartphone than small screen. The research could help users to choose more appropriate smart phones and develop a better usage habit.

Analysis of Muscular Fatigue and Foot Discomfort While Wearing Different Types of Men’s Formal Shoes

The basic intention of this study was to find the discomfort of wearing formal shoes of regular working professionals like engineers who must look formal always. The independent variables are shoes heel height and shoes weight. The dependent variables are EMG signal of lower limb muscle actives and user discomfort questionnaire. This study considered 07 male participants of age group 20–30 in Lamar University campus and its neighborhood. Primarily, this study focused on the two lower limb muscles’ (Tibialis anterior and medial head of the gastrocnemius) activities to find the muscle stress of the participants. For both lower limb muscles, the two-way ANOVA analysis revealed a significant main effect of shoes weight. However, there was no significant main effect of shoes heel height on both muscle activities. The user discomfort survey indicates that low heel low weight shoe caused less fatigue and provided more comfort than the other types of shoes.

Effect of Flooring on Lower Extremity Discomfort during Food Service Tray-line Jobs

This paper investigate the extent to which flooring mats affect stress and fatigue among food service workers on trayline duties. A food service trayline job was simulated in the lab to study the effect of the flooring mat on the lower leg swelling, muscle temperature, fatigue levels and discomfort levels. Six participants participated in the study and performed a 1-hour simulated trayline job. Results showed a significant effect of flooring condition on the muscle temperature change in Tibialis Anterior and Quadriceps with decreasing trend observed for hard floor condition. Results also indicated an increasing trend for leg volume and higher fatigue and discomfort in hard floor condition.

Effect of Position: An Ergonomics Evaluation of Police’s Wearable Equipment

The importance of wearable equipment in certain profession for the purpose of safety and communication cannot be overemphasized. However, the number, size and positons of these equipment raise questions concerning ergonomics and human factors. This study examines the effect of the police body camera in conjunction with the walkie-talkie speaker on the ergonomics of an active duty police officer. Two additional alternatives to the current set up were provided. Result showed a significant effect of position on task performance and workload. The research should give insights to other wearable equipment.

Maritime and Port Activity Analysis Tool

Safety and productivity are crucial considerations when evaluating the effectiveness management has exhibited in their control of the operations involved with maritime transport and port management. Recent maritime and port management research has been concentrated primarily on the use of state-of-the-art technologies that result in the level of productivity becoming less dependent on the workforce. However, industry experts have consistently recognized and been concerned about challenges that remain in the enhancement of workforce productivity and safety. No readily available guide describing how to conduct activity analysis has existed until now. Hence, this research project involves the investigation and application of “activity analysis” methodologies. Activity analysis denotes the extension of simple work sampling so that it becomes a continuous productivity and safety improvement program. Such a program entails a cyclical process designed to quantify the activities of craft workers to identify barriers to safety and optimal productivity, to implement improvements for reducing or eliminating these barriers.