Medicine and Health Sciences Commons^™

Ergonomics And The Potential For Sharps Injury Reduction: Developing A Strategy To Assess Mobile Dentistry In Rural Alaska, Gregory P. Calvert

Graduate Theses & Non-Theses

This report describes the development of an ergonomic assessment strategy for a Rural Alaska mobile dental team (n=3). An examination of available peer reviewed literature was conducted to identify known physical risk factors associated with musculoskeletal disorders and the practice of dentistry. The report also explored the association between ergonomics, work-related musculoskeletal disorders, and a reduction in dental sharps injury.

The known physical risk factors associated with work-related musculoskeletal disorders, sharps injury prevalence data, and results from Nordic Questionnaires were collected as baseline data. A sharps injury report from January through October of 2016 was obtained from the Bristol Bay …

Differentiating Between Low Level Activities In Sedentary Occupations Utilizing Fitbits, Trace A. Forkan

Graduate Theses & Non-Theses

Objective: Fitbits are popular devices used to track personal activity throughout the day. The potential usage of these devices in tracking sedentary activities in research studies rely on the validity and accuracy of the devices. The objectives of this study are to investigate if changes in daily activity is associated with changes in duration of standing time using a sit-to-stand workstation. Also to establish if an accelerometer may be used to detect differences between sitting and standing sedentary positions.

Methods: Sixteen participants wore Fitbit accelerometers throughout the workday and were emailed surveys on a weekly basis to report their …

Evaluation Of Libby Amphibole Asbestos In Three Media Sources Via Polarized Light Microscopy And Transmission Electron Microscopy, Kalli Mccloskey

Graduate Theses & Non-Theses

Studies have shown that the town of Libby, Montana and surrounding forested areas have been contaminated with Libby amphibole asbestos (LA) by activity from the vermiculite mine located northeast of Libby. The mine was in production from the 1920s until its closing in 1990. The United States Environmental Protection Agency (USEPA) created the operable units (OU) within the superfund site due to the LA contamination. In addition to the work completed in this research, previous studies have shown that there is an exposure pathway for the United States Department of Agriculture, Forest Service (USFS) personnel tasked with forest maintenance in …

Occupational Risks And Hazards Associated With Firefighting, Laura Walker

Graduate Theses & Non-Theses

Annually about 100 firefighters die in the line duty, in the United States. Firefighters know it is a hazardous occupation. Firefighters know the only way to reduce the number of deaths is to change the way the firefighter (FF) operates. Changing the way a firefighter operates starts by utilizing traditional industrial hygiene tactics, anticipating, recognizing, evaluating and controlling the hazard. Basic information and history of the fire service is necessary to evaluate FF hazards. An electronic survey was distributed to FFs. The first question was, “What are the health and safety risks of a firefighter?” Hypothetically heart attacks and new …

Comparison Of Two Surface Contamination Sampling Techniques Conducted For The Characterization Of Two Pajarito Site Manhattan Project National Historic Park Properties, Lopez Tammy

Graduate Theses & Non-Theses

Technical Area-18 (TA-18), also known as Pajarito Site, is located on Los Alamos National Laboratory property and has historic buildings that will be included in the Manhattan Project National Historic Park. Characterization studies of metal contamination were needed in two of the four buildings that are on the historic registry in this area, a “battleship” bunker building (TA-18-0002) and the Pond cabin (TA-18-0029). However, these two buildings have been exposed to the elements, are decades old, and have porous and rough surfaces (wood and concrete). Due to these conditions, it was questioned whether standard wipe sampling would be adequate to …

Noise Exposure In Electric And Natural Gas Utility Transmission And Distribution Operations, Christi Cole

Graduate Theses & Non-Theses

Noise exposures were measured in the electric and natural gas distribution operations workforce of a large Midwestern utility. Both personal dosimetry and area monitoring were utilized to evaluate noise exposures based on job classification as well as operation of specific equipment or performance of certain tasks. Job classifications were chosen for study based on observable noise exposures and employee requests. Five job classifications were sampled with 90% confidence according to NIOSH guidelines for sample sizes. Three of the five job classifications were previously enrolled in the company hearing conservation program and two of them were not.

The study determined that …

Evaluation Of Particulate Metal And Noise Exposures At A Foundry And Recommended Control Strategies, Jeshua Sargetis

Graduate Theses & Non-Theses

An evaluation of current industrial hygiene practices were performed at a foundry located in the Northwestern United States. The foundry was evaluated for respirable and inhalable manganese, respirable crystalline silica and noise exposure. Personal breathing zone sampling was performed using proper safety and health practices on workers in the foundry and around the entire facility. Results showed that workers were being exposed to respirable manganese but not inhalable manganese. Bulk crystalline silica sampling was performed and personal breathing zone sampling was performed as a follow up to certain control measures which showed low concentrations. Area noise sampling was conducted in …

Reducing Noise Exposures Produced By Vibratory Finishing Machines, Anna Kroening

Graduate Theses & Non-Theses

Tumbling operators are exposed to loud occupational noises when loading and unloading the metal products in tumbling machines. The increase in the number of hearing loss injuries in the metal stamping industry initiated OSHA’s Special Emphasis Programs in designated industries and locations across the United States. Because occupational hearing loss injuries do not manifest themselves until years later, it is critical that employers install engineering controls immediately in order to protect worker’s hearing and prevent hearing loss injuries.

Tumbling machines come in a variety of configurations. In addition to sound absorption material that can be installed on floors, ceilings, and …

Comparison Of Sample Methods And Results For Hexavalent Chromium Exposures At Langley Afb, Ericka Crosley

Graduate Theses & Non-Theses

Various exposure limits and analytical methods are recommended for hexavalent chromium exposures. While the OSHA standard is legally binding, NIOSH and ACGIH recommendations should be considered as well when determining personnel overexposures. Hexavalent chromium is linked to severe acute and chronic effects, including cancer. The United States Air Force currently uses NIOSH methods 7600 and 7605 to sample for hexavalent chromium. This research analyzed if personnel are being overexposed, in addition to comparing NIOSH 7600 and NIOSH 7605 results to determine if both methods are required, or if one can be used in place of both. The results of the …

Making It Sound As Good As It Tastes: Noise Reverberation Reduction In A Micro Distillery Tasting Room, Andrew Sheehy

Graduate Theses & Non-Theses

Noise reverberation in micro distillery tasting rooms can interfere with speech communication and negatively impact the acoustic quality of live music. Noise reverberation was characterized in a tasting room in Butte, MT by calculated and quantified methods. Sound absorbing baffles were then installed in an effort to reduce reverberation and improve room acoustics. The overall reverberation time and speech interference level were decreased by measureable amounts that corresponded with an increase in overall absorption in the space. Reverberation time decreased from 0.85 seconds to 0.49 seconds on average. As shown by a customer survey given before and after the installation, …

An Exploratory Study Of Carbon Monoxide Exposures In Ice Rink Volunteers, Jonathan Triner

Graduate Theses & Non-Theses

Hockey has grown in popularity in the United States substantially in the last fifty years. The combustion engine has primarily been utilized to power the ice resurfacing equipment to make the ice smooth and able to support the next activity. The exhaust from the combustion engine creates a source of CO that could be harmful to the bystanders if the exhaust is not ventilated from the area properly. Many studies have investigated CO concentrations in ice rinks, but few have evaluated carboxyhemoglobin (COHb) levels as a biological indicator of CO exposure, in order to evaluate the potential health effects of …

An Analysis Of Helmet Sound Attenuation During Abrasive Blasting, Michael Lindsey

Graduate Theses & Non-Theses

During abrasive blasting, the operator is exposed to a process consisting of combined sound pressure levels from compressed air propelling an abrasive media through the hose, the abrasive striking metal substrate, the flow of breathing air inside the helmet, and the reverberation of sound inside the walls of the blast booth. The resulting noise can reach peak sound pressure levels (Lpeak) of 128 dBA, exceeding allowable occupational exposure levels.

The objectives of this study were to investigate the noise levels produced during abrasive blasting, attempt to further quantify total noise exposure to the abrasive blast operator, and calculate combined attenuation …

Whole Body Vibration Exposure To Crane Operator’S, Steven Campbell

Graduate Theses & Non-Theses

Whole body vibration (WBV) has been linked to lower back disorders (LBD’s). The purpose of this study is to determine whether crane operators are exposed to whole body vibration (WBV). If exposure exists then, do they exceed a current consensus standard. This information will be used to determine whether WBV should become a larger discussion item when purchasing cranes and or rebuilding. This information can also be used to make the case for seat replacement or at the very least a qualification to consider when purchasing replacement seats.

While many studies exist relating WBV to LBD, I could not find …