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Dive into the research topics where Terry L. Stentz is active.

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Featured researches published by Terry L. Stentz.


International Journal of Industrial Ergonomics | 1991

Seating comfort and its relationship to spinal profile: A pilot study

Ram R. Bishu; M. Susan Hallbeck; Michael W. Riley; Terry L. Stentz

Abstract Chair comfort is a subjective rating, comprising many factors which can be conceptually modelled. It was postulated that the overall comfort perceived by chair users is a function of the relative discomfort in various regions of the body and that the discomfort perceived in the lumbar region is a function of the spinal curvature. The results of two experiments are reported here. In the first experiment, five typical office chairs were evaluated in a field experiment using five subjects. The evaluation procedure used a general comfort rating scale, a body part discomfort rating scale, and a chair feature evaluation checklist. The results showed the body part discomfort ratings of the back regions to be critical in chair comfort. In the second experiment, three chairs were evaluated employing six subjects. The spinal posture of each subject was measured with a METRECOM ® digitizer while standing and seated in each chair type. The results indicate that the backrest curvature, and the thigh-trunk angle (included angle between the seat pan and the back rest) are critical for the overall chair comfort. The implications for the chair designer are discussed.


Journal of Computing in Civil Engineering | 2016

Comprehensive Fall-Risk Assessment of Construction Workers Using Inertial Measurement Units: Validation of the Gait-Stability Metric to Assess the Fall Risk of Iron Workers

Houtan Jebelli; Changbum R. Ahn; Terry L. Stentz

AbstractIn construction worksites, slips, trips, and falls are major causes of fatal injuries. This fact demonstrates the need for a safety assessment method that provides a comprehensive fall-risk analysis inclusive of the effects of physiological characteristics of construction workers. In this context, this research tests the usefulness of the maximum Lyapunov exponents (Max LE) as a metric to assess construction workers’ comprehensive fall risk. Max LE, one of the gait-stability metrics established in clinical settings, estimates how the stability of a construction worker reacts to very small disruptions. In order to validate the use of Max LE, a laboratory experiment that asked a group of subjects to simulate iron workers’ walking tasks on an I-beam was designed and conducted. These tasks were designed to showcase various fall-risk profiles: walking with a comfortable walking speed presented a low fall-risk profile; carrying a one-sided load and walking at a faster speed on the I-beam both presented ...


Journal of Occupational and Environmental Medicine | 1995

Wrist squareness and median nerve impairment.

Sposato Rc; Michael W. Riley; J. L. Ballard; Terry L. Stentz; Glismann Cl

Previous research indicated that a wrist-squareness ratio (thickness/width) greater than .7 is likely to indicate a median nerve sensory latency greater than 3.7 ms, usually a predictor of carpal tunnel syndrome (CTS). In this study, wrist thicknesses and widths were measured and wrist-squareness ratios were calculated for a sample of 417 railroad maintenance workers. Electrodiagnostic testing, in accordance with American Academy of Electrodiagnostics Medicine guidelines, was performed on both motor and sensory fibers of the median nerve to evaluate subjects for the presence of median nerve impairment typical of CTS. Results of this study indicate that wrist squareness is not a useful predictor of median nerve impairment typical of CTS in the railroad maintenance workers tested.


Proceedings of the 31st International Conference of CIB W78, Orlando, Florida, USA, 23-25 June, 997-1004 | 2014

The validation of gait-stability metrics to assess construction workers' fall risk

Houtan Jebelli; Changbum R. Ahn; Terry L. Stentz

Falling from height is the top cause of injuries and fatalities in the construction industry. Understanding the fall risk at different work environments can help to prevent fall accidents on a jobsite. While many previous studies attempted to assess the fall risk on a construction site, most of them are qualitative or subject to cognitive biases. In this context, this paper aims to introduce and validate a quantitative measure that allows researchers to characterize the fall risks of construction workers. In particular, this paper focuses on validating the fall risk predictive power of Maximum Lyapunov exponent (Max LE), which is one of the gait-stability metrics established in clinical settings. The kinematic data were collected using an inertial measurement unit (IMU) sensor attached to the right ankle of the subject performing different tasks. The Max LE for each tasks were then calculated based upon the IMU measurements. The results indicated a significant difference in the Max LE between different tasks, which indicates that Max LE has the potential to evaluate the dynamic stability of construction workers.


International Journal of Industrial Ergonomics | 1994

Upper extremity altered sensations in dental hygienists

Terry L. Stentz; Michael W. Riley; Staton D. Harn; Richard C. Sposato; John W. Stockstill; Jennifer A. Harn

Abstract Dental hygienists are subjected to occupational health risks such as infection, eye strain, ionizing radiation exposure, hearing loss, toxic substance exposure, and musculoskeletal trauma. A 27-question voluntary survey was administered to all registered dental hygienists in the State of Nebraska ( N = 460). The survey was designed to gather work practice and physical stress information, and to help assess the general prevalence of upper extremity neuropathies among dental hygienists. A 56.5% (260 of 460) response rate was obtained. A simple descriptive, non-inferential analysis of the data revealed that 159 respondents (61.0% of the response sample) indicated that they had experienced upper extremity “altered sensations” related to the physical stress of dental hygiene practice. The most frequently reported “altered sensations” were “pain”, “tingling”, and “numbness”. Sixteen percent of the response sample (42 of 260) indicated that they had already been medically diagnosed as having an upper extremity neuropathy. More than 90% of those dental hygienists with a history of upper extremity “altered sensations” indicated that the sensations were first noticed after entering professional practice; on the average of 5.8 years since beginning their work.


Occupational and Environmental Medicine | 2012

A case-crossover study of laceration injuries in pork processing

Lina Lander; Gary S. Sorock; Terry L. Stentz; Lynette M. Smith; Murray A. Mittleman; Melissa J. Perry

Objectives The authors estimated the associations between transient risk factors and laceration injuries in workers at two meatpacking plants in the Midwest. Methods The case-crossover design was used to collect within-subject transient work task and personal-level exposure information. RRs of laceration injuries were estimated by comparing exposures during the ‘hazard’ period (just before the laceration injury) with exposures in the ‘control’ period (the previous workweek). Stratified analyses were utilised to estimate the effects of gender, ethnicity, training and the number of adjacent coworkers on each transient risk factor. Results The authors interviewed 295 meatpacking workers with laceration injuries (mean age 36.6 years, SD 11.2, 75% men, 48% Hispanic). Recent tool sharpening (RR 5.3, 95% CI 3.8 to 7.4) and equipment malfunction (RR 5.3, 95% CI 3.9 to 7.3) were associated with the highest RR for laceration injury, followed by using an unusual work method to accomplish a task (RR 4.1, 95% CI 2.6 to 6.4) and performing an unusual task (RR 2.3, 95% CI 1.8 to 3.0). Rushing and being distracted were not significantly associated with an elevated RR of a laceration injury. In stratified analyses, there were a number of significant differences in laceration risk factors by gender, ethnicity, training, and number of workers on the line. Conclusions Sharpening tools, equipment malfunction, using an unusual work method to accomplish a task and performing an unusual task were all associated with increased risk of lacerations. Expanded training in atypical work circumstances and evaluation of tool sharpening procedures are intervention areas in meatpacking that need examination.


2014 Construction Research Congress: Construction in a Global Network, CRC 2014 | 2014

Automated Detection of Near-miss Fall Incidents in Iron Workers Using Inertial Measurement Units

Kanghyeok Yang; Sepi Aria; Changbum R. Ahn; Terry L. Stentz

1 Ph.D Student, Construction Engineering and Management, Charles Durham School of Architectural Engineering and Construction, University of NebraskaLincoln, W113 Nebraska Hall, Lincoln, NE 68588; PH (402) 472-5631; email: [email protected] 2 M.S. Student, Computer Science and Engineering Department, College of Engineering, University of Nebraska-Lincoln, W113 Nebraska Hall, Lincoln, NE 68588; PH (402) 472-5631; email: [email protected] 3 Assistant Professor, Construction Engineering and Management, Charles Durham School of Architectural Engineering and Construction, University of Nebraska-Lincoln, W113 Nebraska Hall, Lincoln, NE 68588; PH (402) 4727431; email: [email protected] 4 Associate Professor, Environmental, Agricultural, Occupational Health Science, 984388 Nebraska Medical Center, Omaha, NE 68198-4388 and Construction Engineering and Management, Charles Durham School of Architectural Engineering and Construction, W113 Nebraska Hall, College of Engineering, University of Nebraska, Lincoln, NE 68588-0500; PH (402) 472-5078; email: [email protected]


Occupational and Environmental Medicine | 2010

A case-crossover study of occupational laceration injuries in pork processing: methods and preliminary findings.

Lina Lander; Gary S. Sorock; Terry L. Stentz; Ellen A. Eisen; Murray A. Mittleman; Russ Hauser; Melissa J. Perry

Objectives Meatpacking remains a hazardous and largely unexamined industry. Despite prevention efforts, laceration injuries, among others, remain high. We estimated the magnitude of associations between transient exposures such as equipment malfunction, performing an unusual work task, rushing, and occurrence of laceration injuries. Methods Injured workers were recruited from two pork-processing plants, one in Iowa and one in Nebraska. A telephone interview was conducted within 7 days of the injury, on average to collect information on fixed and transient exposures preceding the injury event. Case-crossover methodology was used to evaluate case and control data within the same subject, thus controlling for between-subject confounding. A Mantel–Haenszel estimator for person-time data was used to estimate the relative risks of injury and transient exposures of interest. Results Of the 362 workers with lacerations between April 2006 and October 2007, 153 (42%) were interviewed (74% male, 41% Hispanic). Forty-eight per cent were injured by a knife or a knife-like object such as scissors or a band saw. Other sources of lacerations included sharp edges and hooks. Tool sharpening was associated with the highest RR of laceration (RR 8.4, 95% CI 5.4 to 12.8) followed by slipping (RR 74.8, 95% CI 30.5 to 183.3), equipment malfunction (RR 3.8, 95% CI 2.8 to 5.3), and performing an unusual task (RR 3.7, 95% CI 2.6 to 5.2). Being tired, distracted, or rushing were not significant risk factors for a laceration. Conclusions Aspects of the physical environment and work practices appear to be significant risk factors for laceration injury in meatpacking. Personal risk factors were less significant in this study.


American Journal of Industrial Medicine | 2009

Validation of self-reported occupational exposures in meatpacking workers

Lina Lander; Gary S. Sorock; Terry L. Stentz; Ellen A. Eisen; Murray A. Mittleman; Russ Hauser; Melissa J. Perry

OBJECTIVE The ability of workers to accurately recall exposures that occur on the day of their injury is considered a potential limitation of case-crossover studies. This study assessed validity of occupational exposures reported by uninjured workers at a Midwestern meatpacking plant. METHODS One hundred thirty-six workers were observed for 60 min while working and then interviewed within 8 days (median 3 days) about exposures during the observation period. The level of agreement between self-reports and direct observations was assessed using kappas and intraclass correlation coefficients. RESULTS Excellent agreement was found between observed and reported work location (kappa = 0.97, 95% CI: 0.92-1.0), task (kappa = 0.83, 95% CI: 0.76-0.91) and tools used (kappa = 0.88, 95% CI: 0.81-0.95). Personal protective equipment varied by work type and location, and agreement between observed and reported usage varied from excellent to poor for various items. Excellent agreement was found for tool sharpening (kappa = 0.89, 95% CI: 0.82-0.97); good agreement for occurrence of break during the observation period (kappa = 0.60, 95% CI: 0.45-0.74); and poor agreement for equipment malfunction, line stoppages, being tired, unusual task, unusual work method, being distracted, rushing, slipping, or falling. CONCLUSIONS Agreement between observed and reported occupational exposures varied widely. Self-reported exposures are utilized in many occupational studies, and future exposure validity assessment studies should continue to improve retrospective study methods. Valid exposures will allow researchers to better understand injury etiology and ultimately prevent injuries from occurring.


American Journal of Industrial Medicine | 2011

Near-miss reporting system as an occupational injury preventive intervention in manufacturing.

Lina Lander; Ellen A. Eisen; Terry L. Stentz; Kathleen J. Spanjer; Bryce Wendland; Melissa J. Perry

BACKGROUND a database of near-misses (NM), minor injuries, and OSHA recordable injuries was established at a mid-size electrical manufacturing plant as part of injury prevention efforts. The utility of a NM reporting system was evaluated by estimating its impact on the annual incidence of minor and OSHA recordable injuries. METHODS logistic regression was performed to examine the effects of predictor variables (year, age, duration of employment) on the type of event (NM, minor, OSHA recordable). Poisson regression was fit to model the annual rate of OSHA recordable injuries as a function of time. RESULTS 1690 events were reported between 1999 and 2006 including 261 NM, 1205 minor, and 205 OSHA recordable injuries. The expected rate of OSHA recordable injuries decreased by 0.84 (95% CI: 0.73-0.97) annually. CONCLUSIONS the implementation of a NM reporting system was associated with decrease in the rate of OSHA recordable injuries. NM reporting systems may be valuable injury interventions in manufacturing.

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Michael W. Riley

University of Nebraska–Lincoln

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Melissa J. Perry

George Washington University

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Gary S. Sorock

Johns Hopkins University

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Ellen A. Eisen

University of California

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