Occupational Health and Industrial Hygiene Commons^™

If Only Pickups And Vans Could Fly: Vehicle Maintenance And The Challenge Of Safely Lifting Large Vehicles On A Two-Post Lift, Damien Burlet-Vienney, Sylvie Beaugrand, Maud Gonella, Bertrand Galy, Élise Ledoux

Études primaires

The use of automotive lifts requires mechanics to work under or near a multi-ton load. Based on consultation with stakeholders, pickups and vans appear to pose problems when raised using two-post above-ground lifts (2PAG lifts), the most common type of automotive lift in garages. The aim of this study is therefore to highlight the work activity performed by mechanics when raising pickups and vans on 2PAG lifts and to describe the factors they take into account to ensure vehicle stability. Data collection took place under actual conditions in five garages. A total of 108 lifting situations were filmed and analyzed, …

Fitness To Work Evaluation In A Combined Physical And Office Working Activity With Piriformis Syndrome: A Case Report, Arif Prasetya, Nuri Purwito Adi

Occupational and Environmental Medicine Journal of Indonesia

Background Piriformis syndrome (PS) is a neuromuscular disorder with significant impact on workforce productivity. This case report presents a comprehensive evaluation of fitness for work and job modification strategies for a patient with PS in a combined physical and sedentary working environment. A 44-year-old male medical facility supervisor presented with left buttock pain, radiating to the left leg, diagnosed with left gluteal piriformis syndrome. Despite undergoing multiple conservative therapies by Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation Specialist, the patient showed minimal improvement.

Methods A seven-step fitness for work assessment approach was implemented following Indonesian Association of Occupational Medicine Specialists guidelines. The evaluation …

Preventing The Strain: An Educational Program To Address Upper Extremity Work-Related Musculoskeletal Disorders In The Beauty Industry, Stacy Bello, Rebecca King

Spring 2025 OTD Capstone Symposium

The program aims to enhance the safety and health of beauty professionals by addressing Work-Related Musculoskeletal Disorders (WRMSD). The educational program seeks to reduce injuries in the beauty industry by teaching ergonomic practices and joint protection strategies, which include the development of seminars targeted at cosmetology and esthetics students, as well as working professionals, with a strong emphasis on understanding body mechanics and ergonomic principles. Feedback from beauty professionals highlighted common WRMSD conditions and the critical need for preventative education and advocacy for care. The educational program strives to create a safer working environment that benefits beauty service providers throughout …

Vocational Training And Occupational Health: An Ergonomics Approach To Gender And Disabilities For Social Sustainability, Myriam Bérubé, Céline Chatigny, Marie Laberge

Études primaires

The Work-Oriented Training Path (WOTP) in Quebec, Canada, is a dual vocational training program that offers students with learning difficulties supervised traineeships. Teachers play a pivotal role in managing students' occupational health and safety (OHS), yet must do so under tight time constraints, limited institutional guidance and highly diverse student profiles. Building on an activity-centered ergonomics and capabilities framework, this multiple-case study explores how gender, disabilities, and work determinants shape OHS management within the WOTP, emphasizing their implications for social sustainability. Twenty-seven semi-structured interviews were conducted with 15 WOTP teachers; 497 narrated anecdotes, which are units of speech when teachers' …

Development And Validation Of A Subject-Specific Integrated Finite Element Musculoskeletal Model Of Human Trunk With Ergonomic And Clinical Applications, Farshid Ghezelbash, Amir Hossein Eskandari, Amir Jafari Bidhendi, Aboulfazl Shirazi-Adl, Christian Lariviere

Études primaires

Biomechanical modeling of the human trunk is crucial for understanding spinal mechanics and its role in ergonomics and clinical interventions. Traditional models have been limited by only considering the passive structures of the spine in finite element (FE) models or incorporating active muscular components in multi-body musculoskeletal (MS) models with an oversimplified spine. To address those limitations, we developed a subject-specific coupled FE-MS model of the trunk and explored its applications in ergonomics and surgical interventions. A parametric detailed FE model was constructed, integrated with a muscle architecture, and individualized based on existing datasets. Our comprehensive validation encompassed tissue-level responses, …

Facteurs Facilitants Et Défis Liés À L'Implantation D'Une Intervention Visant La Prévention Des Troubles Musculosquelettiques En Contexte De Travail Saisonnier : Une Étude Dans Le Secteur De La Transformation Alimentaire, Marie-Ève Major, Hélène Clabault, Isabelle Feillou, Nicole Vézina, Audrey Goupil, Nicolas Roux

Rapports de recherche scientifique

Les troubles musculosquelettiques (TMS) sont largement répandus dans les pays industrialisés. La population des travailleurs saisonniers serait particulièrement touchée et le secteur de la transformation alimentaire ne fait pas exception. Ceci peut s’expliquer par une activité marquée par des conditions de travail difficiles où s’entremêlent de fortes contraintes organisationnelles et temporelles, et qui ont des conséquences sur les conditions physiques et psychosociales du travail qu’il est d’usage d’accepter, puisqu’elles sont perçues comme passagères le temps d’une saison. Un tel contexte est même identifié comme pouvant représenter une incompatibilité avec une prise en charge et un suivi des problèmes de santé. …

An Assessment Of A Haptic-Based Ergonomic Intervention At An Aerospace Manufacturing Facility, Chase Mcdonald

USF Tampa Graduate Theses and Dissertations

The purpose of this thesis was to evaluate the effectiveness and sustainability of a haptic-based intervention designed to reduce hand motions and, consequently, the risk of musculoskeletal disorders (MSDs) among operators in a manufacturing facility. The intervention involved using ergonomic gloves equipped with haptic feedback, intended to encourage proper hand motion and reduce unnecessary movements.

Over a six-month period, data was collected from operators wearing the haptic gloves, focusing on two key metrics: Duty Cycle and Motion Rate. These metrics were chosen to normalize the data, accounting for the variability in duration for each individual operator who wore the device. …

Le Travail Dans Les Espaces Ouverts Et De Coworking : Deux Études En Ergonomie De L'Activité, Marlène Cheyrouze, Diane-Gabrielle Tremblay

Rapports de recherche scientifique

Ce rapport s'inscrit dans le cadre du projet intitulé : Les caractéristiques des espaces ouverts et des espaces de coworking en lien avec la SST (no 2018-0030), sous la direction de la professeure Diane-Gabrielle Tremblay, université TÉLUQ. L’étude en ergonomie de l’activité propose une analyse du travail en espaces ouverts et de coworking. Ces derniers sont présentés comme des lieux propices aux interactions sociales spontanées. Elles sont facilitées par l’aire ouverte qui, induisant le partage des locaux et du mobilier, instaure une coprésence et une proximité physiques entre les personnes. Mais ces interactions peuvent être vécues comme des distractions …

Risk-Reduction Research In Occupational Safety And Ergonomics: An Editorial, Roger C. Jensen, David P. Gilkey

Safety Health & Industrial Hygiene

Occupational health and safety is one of the pillars of public health. The magnitude of occupational injuries, illnesses, and fatalities has been well documented through retrospective analyses of existing record systems. This Special Issue in IJERPH sought research papers addressing risk reduction studies in occupational safety and ergonomics.

The Effects Of Dental Hygiene Instrument Handles On Muscle Activity Production, Jessica R. Suedbeck, Daniel Russell, Cortney Armitano Lago, Emily A. Ludwig

Dental Hygiene Faculty Publications

Purpose The objective of this study was to compare the effects of ten commercially available instrument handle designs’ mass and diameter on forearm muscle activity during a simulated periodontal scaling experience.

Methods A convenience sample of 25 registered dental hygienists were recruited for this IRB-approved study. Ten commercially available instruments were categorized into four groups based on their masses and diameters: large diameter/light mass, small diameter/light mass, large diameter/heavy mass, and small diameter/heavy mass. Participants were randomized to four instruments with one from each group. Participants scaled with each instrument in a simulated oral environment while muscle activity was collected …

Analisis Faktor Risiko Ergonomi Terhadap Keluhan Gangguan Muskuloskeletal Pada Pekerja Umkm Pengrajin Alas Kaki Di Kecamatan Ciomas, Dita Mayasari, Indri Hapsari Hapsari Susilowati

National Journal of Occupational Health and Safety

Work activity on footwear Micro, Small, and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs) such as sitting work position, bending down, neck bend, long duration of work and uncertain can cause pain that lead to musculoskeletal disorder complaint. This research aim to analyze individual risk factors, occupational risk factors, work environment risk factors, and work equipment risk factors against musculoskeletal disorder complaint on footwear MSMEs workers in Ciomas district. This research using cross sectional study design. The result of the research showed that 84,7% of respondent have a musculoskeletal disorder complaint. On some risk factors researched, there was a significant relationship between individual risk …

État Des Récentes Avancées En Matière De Développement De Sièges À Suspension, Subhash Rakheja, Pierre Marcotte, Karim Hamouda, Krishna Dewangan, Darshan Dorugade

Rapports de recherche scientifique

Dans divers secteurs d’activité du Québec, les conducteurs de véhicules sont exposés à des niveaux notables de vibrations globales du corps (VGC) et à des chocs intermittents, associés dans les deux cas à un risque accru de douleurs lombaires et de dégénérescence de la colonne vertébrale. Les sièges à suspension sont largement utilisés pour limiter l'exposition des conducteurs aux VGC. L’efficacité d'un siège à suspension à réduire les vibrations est fortement dépendante de la nature des vibrations du véhicule (amplitude, direction et fréquence). Un siège à suspension ne peut donc offrir une efficacité optimale que lorsque la suspension est mise …

State-Of-The-Art In Recent Developments Concerning Suspension Seats, Subhash Rakheja, Pierre Marcotte, Karim Hamouda, Krishna Dewangan, Darshan Dorugade

Rapports de recherche scientifique

Dans divers secteurs d’activité du Québec, les conducteurs de véhicules sont exposés à des niveaux notables de vibrations globales du corps (VGC) et à des chocs intermittents, associés dans les deux cas à un risque accru de douleurs lombaires et de dégénérescence de la colonne vertébrale. Les sièges à suspension sont largement utilisés pour limiter l'exposition des conducteurs aux VGC. L’efficacité d'un siège à suspension à réduire les vibrations est fortement dépendante de la nature des vibrations du véhicule (amplitude, direction et fréquence). Un siège à suspension ne peut donc offrir une efficacité optimale que lorsque la suspension est mise …

Electromyographical Assessments Of Recommended Neck And Trunk Positions For Dental Hygienists, Margaret F. Lemaster, Kyle J. Kelleran, Maryam Moeini, Daniel M. Russell

Rehabilitation Sciences Faculty Publications

Purpose: Dental professionals are recommended to limit neck and trunk flexion to within 20° of a neutral (0°) body posture, however empirical support for the recommendations is lacking. The purpose of this study was to determine whether there are differences in muscle workload between a range of neck and trunk postures in a population of dental hygiene students.

Methods: Fifteen first semester senior dental hygiene students with no history of neck and trunk injury volunteered to participate. Surface electromyography was used to record muscle activity from two neck extensors muscles, cervical erector spinae (CES) and upper trapezius (UT), and two …

The Effects Of The Traditional Scaling Technique Versus A Modified Scaling Technique On Muscle Activity And Pinch Force Generation: A Pilot Study, Jessica R. Suedbeck, Cortney Armitano-Lago

Dental Hygiene Faculty Publications

Purpose: Dental hygienists perform precision instrumentation tasks repetitively throughout the workday, placing them at increased risk for developing a musculoskeletal disorder. The purpose of this pilot study was to determine differences in muscle activity and pinch force generation between the traditional scaling technique and a modified scaling technique.

Methods: A convenience sample of dental hygienists (n=12) acted as their own controls in this counterbalance-designed pilot study. Muscle activity and pinch forces were assessed while participants performed traditional and modified scaling techniques with designated instruments on artificial calculus applied to the lower left quadrant of a typodont, for a period of …

Une Revue Des Méthodes D’Évaluation De La Rentabilité De La Prévention Des Lésions Professionnelles, Martin Lebeau

Rapports de recherche scientifique

Les lésions professionnelles entraînent des coûts élevés qui sont assumés par l’ensemble des acteurs économiques de la société (travailleurs, employeurs, assureurs, collectivité). L’investissement dans la prévention des lésions professionnelles peut permettre d’en réduire l’ampleur. Toutefois, l’investissement en vaut-il toujours le coût? Et comment peut-on estimer la rentabilité d’un investissement en prévention?

Cette étude s’inscrit dans la volonté institutionnelle de développer des connaissances et des outils en lien avec le calcul de la rentabilité des investissements en prévention des lésions professionnelles dans les entreprises.

Une recension des plus récentes études sur le sujet, publiées entre 1995 et 2017, a permis de …

Développement D’Outils Pour L’Évaluation Du Processus D’Implantation Et L’Analyse Économique D’Une Intervention Ergonomique : Le Cas D’Une Intervention De Prévention Des Troubles Musculosquelettiques Dans L’Industrie De L’Abattage Et De La Transformation De La Volaille, Émilie Desjardins, Hélène Sultan-Taïeb, France St-Hilaire, Nicole Vézina, Élise Ledoux, Patricia Bélanger, Rita Naji

Rapports de recherche scientifique

Depuis les années 1990, Nicole Vézina et son équipe ont réalisé des travaux de recherche qui ciblent l’apprentissage de l’affilage et de l’aiguisage des couteaux dans un objectif de prévention des troubles musculosquelettiques (TMS). Le cas à l’étude est une intervention implantée dans le département d’éviscération d’une usine d’abattage et de transformation de la volaille située au Québec. Il s’agit d’une intervention ergonomique de prévention des TMS avec plusieurs types de transfert d’apprentissage dans un contexte de travail à la chaîne à cadence élevée. L’objectif général de cette étude était de développer des outils de collecte de données adaptés aux …

An Occupational Hygiene And Safety Primer, Volume 1, Tim Ryan

OHIO Open Faculty Textbooks

Intended to teach the basic tenets of occupational hygiene and safety to a wide variety of undergraduate college students with quite diverse backgrounds, the information in these volumes is open-sourced from a variety of experts on the subject.

Critères D’Aménagement Sécuritaire Et Ergonomique Des Postes De Haleur Et De Support À Casiers Des Homardiers Du Québec, Francis Coulombe, Sylvie Montreuil, Jean-Guy Richard, Michel Tremblay

Rapports de recherche scientifique

La pratique de la pêche commerciale est reconnue comme l’un des métiers les plus dangereux à l’échelle mondiale. Entre 2012 et 2014, elle a fait l’objet de deux projets de recherche qui ont été réalisés en Gaspésie et aux Îles-de-la-Madeleine. Le premier visait à analyser les activités de travail et les risques de chute par-dessus bord des homardiers ainsi que leurs déterminants, tandis que le deuxième consistait en l’étude des aménagements aux postes de travail « haleur et support à casiers ». La présente recherche découle de ces projets et porte sur l’amélioration de l’ergonomie et de la sécurité de …

Get A Grip: Analysis Of Muscle Activity And Perceived Comfort In Using Stylus Grips, Evanda Vanease Henry

Theses

The design of handwriting instruments has been based primarily on touch, feel, aesthetics, and muscle exertion. Previous studies make it clear that different pen characteristics have to be considered along with hand-instrument interaction in the design of writing instruments. This should include pens designed for touch screens and computer based writing surfaces. Hence, this study focuses primarily on evaluating grip style’s impact on user comfort and muscle activity associated with handgrip while using a stylus-pen.

Surface EMG measures were taken approximate to the adductor pollicis, flexor digitorum, and extensor indicis of eight participants while they performed writing, drawing, and point-and-click …

Effects Of Instrument Handle Design On Dental Hygienists' Forearm Muscle Activity During Scaling, Jessica R. Suedbeck, Susan L. Tolle, Gayle Mccombs, Martha L. Walker, Daniel M. Russell

Dental Hygiene Faculty Publications

Purpose: The purpose of this study was to determine the effects of 4 different commercially available instrument handle designs (A. 16 grams and 12.7 mm diameter, B. 23 grams and 11.1 mm diameter, C. 21 grams and 7.9 mm diameter and D. 18 grams and 6.35 mm diameter) on the muscle activity of four forearm muscles during a simulated scaling experience.

Methods: A convenience sample of 27 (n=27) dental hygienists used a Columbia 13/14 curet with four different instrument handles to scale artificial calculus from typodont teeth. Each participant's muscle activity was measured using surface electromyography (sEMG).

Results: Similar muscle …

Internet-Based Behavior Of It Professionals: Implications For Online Ergonomic Education To Prevent Work-Related Musculoskeletal Disorders, Priyadarshini Pattath

Theses and Dissertations

INTERNET-BASED BEHAVIOR OF IT PROFESSIONALS: IMPLICATIONS FOR ONLINE ERGONOMIC EDUCATION TO PREVENT WORK-RELATED MUSCULOSKELETAL DISORDERS

By Priyadarshini Pattath, Ph.D. A dissertation submitted in partial fulfillment of the requirements for the degree of Doctor of Philosophy at Virginia Commonwealth University Virginia Commonwealth University, 2017 Director: Dr. Robin Hurst, Assistant Professor of Adult Learning, Teaching and Learning,

School of Education

The purpose of this study was to explore the preferences of medium of ergonomic education and views about self-directed online training modules to prevent musculoskeletal disorders in computer professionals and understand their perspectives and experiences about online health information seeking using a …

Validation Of Inertial Measurement Units With An Optoelectronic System For Whole-Body Motion Analysis, Xavier Robert-Lachaine, Hakim Mecheri, Christian Larue, André Plamondon

Études primaires

The potential of inertial measurement units (IMUs) for ergonomics applications appears promising. However, previous IMUs validation studies have been incomplete regarding aspects of joints analysed, complexity of movements and duration of trials. The objective was to determine the technological error and biomechanical model differences between IMUs and an optoelectronic system and evaluate the effect of task complexity and duration. Whole-body kinematics from 12 participants was recorded simultaneously with a full-body Xsens system where an Optotrak cluster was fixed on every IMU. Short functional movements and long manual material handling tasks were performed and joint angles were compared between the two …

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 …

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 …

Evaluation Of Automated Vs. Manual Bagger Exposures Related To Ergonomics, Dust, And Noise At A Sand Mine Processng Plant, Lindsie Alyse Wilson

Graduate Theses & Non-Theses

Since 2000, the Mine Safety and Health Administration (MSHA) has reported 737 injuries involving bagging. Most of these injuries were related to “over-exertion” with an MSHA injury classification of “strains, sprains, and ruptured discs.” “Over-exertion” accounted for 331,130 injuries totaling 14.2 billion dollars in workers compensation costs in 2012 according to the National Safety Council (NSC). According to NSC, the average total incurred cost of an “over-exertion” injury is $42,883/claim, and the average total incurred cost of a “strain/sprain” injury is $31,521/claim.

Manual bagging in a sand mine processing plant is a highly physical job. There are six physical workplace …

Ymca Fitness Assessment: Tool For Evaluation With Regards To Ergonomics, Jacob Havlovick

Graduate Theses & Non-Theses

Professional ergonomists have several methods to analyze lifting tasks, in which the main goal is to determine the amount of strain on the body during manual material handling tasks. Several physical characteristics have been used to determine lifting capabilities, but developed screening methods do not cover the necessary traits or the right number of traits to predict an accurate level of strain. This project examined the use of the YMCA Fitness Test Assessment as a possible screening tool to determine lifting performance.

The project had one objective; To determine the association of any physical characteristic that might be used to …

Investigation Of Low Back And Shoulder Demand During Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation: The Effect Of Different Compression-Ventilation Ratios, Richard Scott Dainty

Theses and Dissertations (Comprehensive)

Background: The current American Heart Association (AHA) standard cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) is performed with a compression-ventilation ratio of 30:2 (standard CPR), meaning 30 compressions are applied to the chest followed by the administration of two breaths to the victim. Some evidence has shown that performing continuous chest compressions rather than standard CPR with breaks in chest compressions for administering breaths, may increase survival rates after cardiac arrest. Cont-CPR has been shown to be very fatiguing in nature, with a significant drop in chest compression force within the first two minutes of CPR. The purpose of this study was to examine …

Transient Trunk Flexion: The Potential To Alleviate Low Back Pain During Prolonged Standing, Danielle M. Stewart

Theses and Dissertations (Comprehensive)

The current study examined potential benefits of intermittent, short-term periods of full trunk flexion on the development of low back pain (LBP) over two hours of standing. Sixteen participants completed a 2-hour standing protocol, on two separate days. On one day, participants stood statically for 2 hours; on the other day participants bent forward to full spine flexion for 5 seconds every 15-minutes. During both protocols, participants reported LBP using a 100mm visual analogue scale every 15-minutes. During the flexion trials, erector spinae muscle activation was monitored. Ultimately, intermittent trunk flexion reduced LBP by 36% (10mm) at the end of …

Injury Prevention With Physical Therapy, Karen Kott, Margaret F. Lemaster

Rehabilitation Sciences Faculty Publications

(First paragraph) Ergonomics is the study of human performance (positioning and movement) and workplace design, such as equipment, ambience, and placement. The purpose of ergonomics is to maximize productivity by increasing safety, improving work quality, reducing operator fatigue and discomfort, and decreasing the risk of work -related musculoskeletal disorders (MSDs).^1-3