Brian Lowe - Academia.edu (original) (raw)

Papers by Brian Lowe

The nation's growth and the need to meet mobility, environmental, and energy objectives place dem... more The nation's growth and the need to meet mobility, environmental, and energy objectives place demands on public transit systems. Current systems, some of which are old and in need of upgrading, must expand service area, increase service frequency, and improve efficiency to serve these demands. Research is necessary to solve operating problems, to adapt appropriate new technologies from other industries, and to introduce innovations into the transit industry. The Transit Cooperative Research Program (TCRP) serves as one of the principal means by which the transit industry can develop innovative near-term solutions to meet demands placed on it. The need for TCRP was originally identified in TRB Special Report 213-Research for Public Transit: New Directions, published in 1987 and based on a study sponsored by the Urban Mass Transportation Administration-now the Federal Transit Administration (FTA). A report by the American Public Transit Association (APTA), Transportation 2000, also recognized the need for local, problem-solving research. TCRP, modeled after the longstanding and successful National Cooperative Highway Research Program, undertakes research and other technical activities in response to the needs of transit service providers. The scope of TCRP includes a variety of transit research fields including planning, service configuration, equipment, facilities, operations, human resources, maintenance, policy, and administrative practices. TCRP was established under FTA sponsorship in July 1992.

Proceedings of the Human Factors and Ergonomics Society Annual Meeting, 1999

This cross-sectional study examined the effects of age on the dynamic coordination and control of... more This cross-sectional study examined the effects of age on the dynamic coordination and control of grip force with external force applied with a simulated hand tool. Grip force coordination capabilities were hypothesized to decline with age in light of previous studies examining simple lift and static hold maneuvers with a precision grip. Subjects performed a force-matching task in which dynamic forces were applied with the simulated tool. Subjects were given visual feedback regarding the applied force magnitude but not the grip force magnitude. Grip force control efficiency was measured by the ratio of grip to applied force and the degree of parallel modulation in grip force with respect to applied force. The measures of grip force control efficiency revealed no statistically significant differences (p > 0.05) between the younger (<64 years) and older (65+ years) subject groups. Older adults, when prudently screened for visual and motor impairments, performed equivalently to younger adults in terms of grip force coordination efficiency.

Proceedings of the Human Factors and Ergonomics Society Annual Meeting, 2001

... Brian D. Lowe _, J.Steven Moore 2, Naomi Swanson_, Lisa Perez3, Margit Alderson 4 ... measure... more ... Brian D. Lowe _, J.Steven Moore 2, Naomi Swanson_, Lisa Perez3, Margit Alderson 4 ... measures of FDS and EDC loading are expected to Pisces Nelson, and Robin Dunkin with data collection. be dependent upon typing rate. ...

This report describes an observational approach for assessing postural stress of the trunk and up... more This report describes an observational approach for assessing postural stress of the trunk and upper limbs that is intended to improve risk analysis for prevention of musculoskeletal disorders. The approach is supported by several recent research studies. These studies have evaluated how much time it takes observers to classify specific trunk and upper limb postures, how frequently observers are likely to make posture classification errors, and the magnitude of these errors. The frequency and magnitude of posture classification errors depend on how many categories (levels) are available from which to classify the specific posture. Recent studies suggest that optimal posture analysis performance is obtained by partitioning trunk flexion range of motion into 4 categories of 30° increments; trunk lateral bend into 3 categories of 15° increments; shoulder flexion into 5 categories of 30°; shoulder abduction into 5 categories of 30°; and elbow flexion into 4 categories of 30°. These categories are suggested because they optimize how rapidly and effectively analysts can visually judge posture. This report also presents more general guidelines for the video recording of posture and for the posture analysis process. Guidelines for video recording address such factors as camera position, field of view, lighting, and duration of recording. Guidelines for posture analysis address enhancements such as the benefits of digital video, computer software, training, and use of visual reference and perspective cues. Information in this report can assist health/safety, ergonomics, and risk management/loss control practitioners who conduct job/ worksite assessments of lifting, pushing, pulling, carrying, and/or manual handling risk factors.

Journal of occupational and environmental medicine, 2017

The aim of this study was to assess effects of exercise on shoulder musculoskeletal symptoms amon... more The aim of this study was to assess effects of exercise on shoulder musculoskeletal symptoms among employees with overhead assembly work exposures. A voluntary workplace shoulder exercise program was offered to employees in two automotive assembly departments, while two similar departments served as controls. N = 76 total workers participated. Shoulder Rating Questionnaire (SRQ) and Discomfort of the Arm Shoulder and Hand (DASH) symptoms were queried monthly for 7 baseline months, followed by 6 months that included exercise. SRQ scores were higher for exercisers than among controls in the 6 exercising months, but not in the baseline months. Although the group x month interaction was significant (P < 0.05), the temporal trend was inconsistent. Exercise may have temporarily lessened decline in SRQ. It is not clear whether shorter term differences were clinically meaningful or predictive of longer term disability prevention.

Proceedings of the Human Factors and Ergonomics Society Annual Meeting, 2014

A biomechanical model is presented to estimate cumulative user hand/arm force associated with two... more A biomechanical model is presented to estimate cumulative user hand/arm force associated with two pneumatic nail gun trigger systems. The contact actuation trigger (CAT) can fire a nail when the user holds the trigger depressed first and then “bumps” the nail gun safety tip against the workpiece. With a full sequential actuation trigger (SAT) the user must press the tip against the workpiece prior to activating the trigger. The SAT is demonstrably safer in reducing traumatic injury risk, but increases the duration (and magnitude) of tip force exertion. Time integrated hand force was calculated for a single user from measurements of the tip contact force with the workpiece and transfer time between nails as inputs to a quasi-dynamic model of nailing in two task orientations. Application of the model shows the hand/arm force dependence upon the orientation of the workpiece in addition to the trigger system. Based on standard time allowances from work measurement systems (i.e. MTM - 1)...

American journal of industrial medicine, Jan 4, 2016

This article examines serious and fatal pneumatic nail gun (PNG) injury investigations for workpl... more This article examines serious and fatal pneumatic nail gun (PNG) injury investigations for workplace, tool design, and human factors relevant to causation and resulting OS&H authorities' responses in terms of citations and penalties. The U.S. Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) database of Fatality and Catastrophe Investigation Summaries (F&CIS) were reviewed (1985-2012) to identify n = 258 PNG accidents. 79.8% of investigations, and 100% of fatalities, occurred in the construction industry. Between 53-71% of injuries appear to have been preventable had a safer sequential trigger tool been used. Citations and monetary penalties were related to injury severity, body part injured, disabling of safety devices, and insufficient personal protective equipment (PPE). Differences may exist between construction and other industries in investigators interpretations of PNG injury causation and resulting citations/penalties. Violations of PPE standards were penalized most s...

American journal of safe patient handling & movement, 2012

Manual full-body vertical lifts of patients have high risk for developing musculoskeletal disorde... more Manual full-body vertical lifts of patients have high risk for developing musculoskeletal disorders. Two primary types of battery-powered lift assist devices are available for these tasks: floor-based and overhead-mounted devices. Studies suggest that the operation of floor-based devices may require excessive pushing and pulling forces and that overhead-mounted devices are safer and require lower operating forces. This study evaluated required operating hand forces and resulting biomechanical spinal loading for overhead-mounted lifts versus floor-based lifts across various floor surfaces and patient weight conditions. We did not examine differences in how operators performed the tasks, but rather focused on differences in required operating forces and estimated biomechanical loads across various exposure conditions for a typical operator. Findings show that the floor-based lifts exceeded recommended exposure limits for pushing and pulling for many of the floor/weight conditions and ...

Journal of Andrology

Perspectives and Editorials and recommendations will require larger, detailed investigations base... more Perspectives and Editorials and recommendations will require larger, detailed investigations based on objective evidence establishing a clear physiologic basis to cycling-associated ED. Until that information is available, common sense approaches toward the patient concerned about ED, such as those outlined above, seem reasonable.

Professional safety, 2015

Use of a pneumatic nail gun with a sequential actuation trigger (SAT) significantly diminishes th... more Use of a pneumatic nail gun with a sequential actuation trigger (SAT) significantly diminishes the risk for acute traumatic injury compared to use of a contact actuation trigger (CAT) nail gun. A theoretically-based increased risk of work-related musculoskeletal disorders from use of a SAT nail gun, relative to CAT, appears unlikely and remains unproven. Based on current knowledge, the use of CAT nail guns cannot be justified as a safe alternative to SAT nail guns. This letter provides a perspective of ergonomists and occupational safety researchers recommending the use of the sequential actuation trigger for all nail gun tasks in the construction industry.

Journal of Occupational and Environmental Hygiene

A checklist was developed to evaluate nonpowered hand tools for basic features related to good er... more A checklist was developed to evaluate nonpowered hand tools for basic features related to good ergonomic tool design. The checklist contains 16 items to which a yes/no response is required. The checklist is intended to be used by tradespersons and is written in clear, simple language. This column reports on a study conducted to examine the reliability of the checklist questions in identifying the presence or absence of the basic ergonomic design features that are believed to be important for nonpowered hand tools. Using the checklist, 14 ergonomists and 126 carpenters evaluated 18 typical hand tools. Agreement among the carpenters and ergonomists was high for most of the checklist items. A few checklist questions were associated with relatively low agreement among raters in terms of the presence or absence of a design feature. Lack of agreement between raters indicates that the criterion was not explicit or that users had difficulty identifying whether the tool satisfied the particu...

Social media applications like YouTube can be valuable tools to significantly expand the dissemin... more Social media applications like YouTube can be valuable tools to significantly expand the dissemination of information worldwide to professionals in the field, to workers, and employers to help prevent work-related injuries, illnesses, and deaths. This presentation reports on an innovative pilot project testing the use of YouTube as a platform to drive traffic to the National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH) Web site. NIOSH worked with the Chicago police department to develop a video with footage of bicycle police officers using a no-nose seat as a part of their daily safety check. The dynamic 1-minute 26-second video was uploaded to NIOSH's YouTube channel and served as a teaser to generate curiosity and drive viewers to the NIOSH Web site to learn more about the benefits of no-nose saddles for minimizing groin pressure, a potential occupational risk to reproductive health. An active dissemination strategy was employed using internal and external connections ...

PsycEXTRA Dataset

This study evaluated the effects of handle grip span and user's hand size on maximum grip strengt... more This study evaluated the effects of handle grip span and user's hand size on maximum grip strength and individual finger force using a computerized digital dynamometer with five various grip spans (45, 50, 55, 60, and 65mm). Forty-six males participated and were assigned into three hand size groups (small, middle, large) according to their hand lengths. Results showed that generally 55 and 50mm grip spans had the highest grip strength (433.6N and 430.8N, respectively), whereas 65mm grip span had the least grip strength. With respect to the interaction effect of grip span and hand size, small hand sized participants produced the highest grip forces at the 45mm grip span, followed by 50 and 55mm, middle hand size participants provided the highest grip force at the 55mm followed by 50 and 45mm, whereas large hand size participants exerted the highest grip force at the 55mm followed by 60mm. In the analysis of individual finger force, the middle finger force was the strongest and the highest contribution (37.5%) to the total finger force, followed by ring (28.7%), index (20.2%) and little (13.6%) fingers. In addition, it was noted that each finger had a different optimal grip span for exerting maximum force, resulting in a bowed contoured shaped handle (i.e., the grip span of the handle at the center is larger than that of the handle at the end) for two-handle hand tools.

PsycEXTRA Dataset

An experiment was performed to evaluate the effect of handle diameter on handle comfort, finger f... more An experiment was performed to evaluate the effect of handle diameter on handle comfort, finger force capability, and torque, and to predict the optimal handle diameter based on a 'Normalized Hand Size (NHS)' in a maximum horizontal torque task. Subjective ratings, a force glove and LIDO WorkSET were used to assess comfort, finger force capability, and torque output on six experimental handles (from 25 to 50 mm). Analysis of subjective ratings showed that the 45 mm handle diameter was the most comfortable followed by the 50 mm handle. These two handles (50 and 45 mm) showed significantly larger torque, and lower finger forces than the other handles. The ratio of handle circumference to hand length, the NHS, was applied and resulted in 86.3% and 90.7% as the ratios to obtain maximum comfort and torque, respectively. From these data the optimal handle diameters can be recommended according to users' hand sizes in horizontal torque tasks. More sophisticated methods are being used to represent mathematically the relationships between handle diameter, finger force capability, and maximum torque output.

PsycEXTRA Dataset

The effects of handle diameter (25~50mm) and handle orientation (horizontal and vertical) on the ... more The effects of handle diameter (25~50mm) and handle orientation (horizontal and vertical) on the subjective comfort, maximum torque performance, total finger force, and efficiency of flexor and extensor muscle activity were evaluated in this study. A force glove system containing 16 force sensors was used to measure finger forces, and surface electromyography was used to investigate muscle activities during torque tasks. Overall 35~45mm diameter handles were rated as most comfortable. The average torque outputs were highest with the 45 and 50mm diameter handles in both orientations. Torque output exhibited a positive non-linear correlation with handle diameter, whereas total finger force showed an inverse relationship with handle diameter. The positive non-linear correlation between torque and handle diameter was explained by the relationship between handle diameter, total finger force, and coefficient of friction. Muscle activities and efficiencies of flexor and extensor muscles were also investigated in this study.

IIE Transactions on Occupational Ergonomics and Human Factors, 2013

Background-Pneumatic nail guns used in wood framing are equipped with one of two triggering mecha... more Background-Pneumatic nail guns used in wood framing are equipped with one of two triggering mechanisms. Sequential actuation triggers have been shown to be a safer alternative to contact actuation triggers because they reduce traumatic injury risk. However, the sequential actuation trigger must be depressed for each individual nail fired as opposed to the contact actuation trigger, which allows the trigger to be held depressed as nails are fired repeatedly by bumping the safety tip against the workpiece. As such, concerns have been raised about risks for cumulative trauma injury, and reduced productivity, due to repetitive finger motion with the sequential actuation trigger. Purpose-This study developed a method to predict cumulative finger flexor tendon travel associated with the sequential actuation trigger nail gun from finger joint kinematics measured in the trigger actuation and productivity standards for wood-frame construction tasks. Methods-Finger motions were measured from six users wearing an instrumented electrogoniometer glove in a simulation of two common framing tasks-wall building and flat nailing of material. Flexor tendon travel was calculated from the ensemble average kinematics for an individual nail fired. Results-Finger flexor tendon travel was attributable mostly to proximal interphalangeal and distal interphalangeal joint motion. Tendon travel per nail fired appeared to be slightly greater for a wall-building task than a flat nailing task. The present study data, in combination with construction industry productivity standards, suggest that a high-production workday would be * Corresponding author. BLowe@cdc.gov. OCCUPATIONAL APPLICATIONS This article reports a method for assessing finger tendon motion associated with the use of a sequential actuation trigger pneumatic nail gun. The two-stage actuation process of the sequential actuation trigger reduces risk of nail puncture injury from unintended nail discharge (relative to the higher risk of the contact actuation trigger). However, widespread adoption of the sequential actuation trigger nail gun throughout the construction industry has been hindered by beliefs about productivity and musculoskeletal concerns about the repetitive trigger actuation and finger motion for each nail fired. Though existing guidelines for finger tendon travel exposure are not well established, predictions derived with the present method combined with productivity standards suggest insufficient evidence to contradict the safety-based recommendation to adopt the sequential actuation trigger trigger.

The nation's growth and the need to meet mobility, environmental, and energy objectives place dem... more The nation's growth and the need to meet mobility, environmental, and energy objectives place demands on public transit systems. Current systems, some of which are old and in need of upgrading, must expand service area, increase service frequency, and improve efficiency to serve these demands. Research is necessary to solve operating problems, to adapt appropriate new technologies from other industries, and to introduce innovations into the transit industry. The Transit Cooperative Research Program (TCRP) serves as one of the principal means by which the transit industry can develop innovative near-term solutions to meet demands placed on it. The need for TCRP was originally identified in TRB Special Report 213-Research for Public Transit: New Directions, published in 1987 and based on a study sponsored by the Urban Mass Transportation Administration-now the Federal Transit Administration (FTA). A report by the American Public Transit Association (APTA), Transportation 2000, also recognized the need for local, problem-solving research. TCRP, modeled after the longstanding and successful National Cooperative Highway Research Program, undertakes research and other technical activities in response to the needs of transit service providers. The scope of TCRP includes a variety of transit research fields including planning, service configuration, equipment, facilities, operations, human resources, maintenance, policy, and administrative practices. TCRP was established under FTA sponsorship in July 1992.

Proceedings of the Human Factors and Ergonomics Society Annual Meeting, 1999

This cross-sectional study examined the effects of age on the dynamic coordination and control of... more This cross-sectional study examined the effects of age on the dynamic coordination and control of grip force with external force applied with a simulated hand tool. Grip force coordination capabilities were hypothesized to decline with age in light of previous studies examining simple lift and static hold maneuvers with a precision grip. Subjects performed a force-matching task in which dynamic forces were applied with the simulated tool. Subjects were given visual feedback regarding the applied force magnitude but not the grip force magnitude. Grip force control efficiency was measured by the ratio of grip to applied force and the degree of parallel modulation in grip force with respect to applied force. The measures of grip force control efficiency revealed no statistically significant differences (p > 0.05) between the younger (<64 years) and older (65+ years) subject groups. Older adults, when prudently screened for visual and motor impairments, performed equivalently to younger adults in terms of grip force coordination efficiency.

Proceedings of the Human Factors and Ergonomics Society Annual Meeting, 2001

... Brian D. Lowe _, J.Steven Moore 2, Naomi Swanson_, Lisa Perez3, Margit Alderson 4 ... measure... more ... Brian D. Lowe _, J.Steven Moore 2, Naomi Swanson_, Lisa Perez3, Margit Alderson 4 ... measures of FDS and EDC loading are expected to Pisces Nelson, and Robin Dunkin with data collection. be dependent upon typing rate. ...

This report describes an observational approach for assessing postural stress of the trunk and up... more This report describes an observational approach for assessing postural stress of the trunk and upper limbs that is intended to improve risk analysis for prevention of musculoskeletal disorders. The approach is supported by several recent research studies. These studies have evaluated how much time it takes observers to classify specific trunk and upper limb postures, how frequently observers are likely to make posture classification errors, and the magnitude of these errors. The frequency and magnitude of posture classification errors depend on how many categories (levels) are available from which to classify the specific posture. Recent studies suggest that optimal posture analysis performance is obtained by partitioning trunk flexion range of motion into 4 categories of 30° increments; trunk lateral bend into 3 categories of 15° increments; shoulder flexion into 5 categories of 30°; shoulder abduction into 5 categories of 30°; and elbow flexion into 4 categories of 30°. These categories are suggested because they optimize how rapidly and effectively analysts can visually judge posture. This report also presents more general guidelines for the video recording of posture and for the posture analysis process. Guidelines for video recording address such factors as camera position, field of view, lighting, and duration of recording. Guidelines for posture analysis address enhancements such as the benefits of digital video, computer software, training, and use of visual reference and perspective cues. Information in this report can assist health/safety, ergonomics, and risk management/loss control practitioners who conduct job/ worksite assessments of lifting, pushing, pulling, carrying, and/or manual handling risk factors.

Journal of occupational and environmental medicine, 2017

The aim of this study was to assess effects of exercise on shoulder musculoskeletal symptoms amon... more The aim of this study was to assess effects of exercise on shoulder musculoskeletal symptoms among employees with overhead assembly work exposures. A voluntary workplace shoulder exercise program was offered to employees in two automotive assembly departments, while two similar departments served as controls. N = 76 total workers participated. Shoulder Rating Questionnaire (SRQ) and Discomfort of the Arm Shoulder and Hand (DASH) symptoms were queried monthly for 7 baseline months, followed by 6 months that included exercise. SRQ scores were higher for exercisers than among controls in the 6 exercising months, but not in the baseline months. Although the group x month interaction was significant (P < 0.05), the temporal trend was inconsistent. Exercise may have temporarily lessened decline in SRQ. It is not clear whether shorter term differences were clinically meaningful or predictive of longer term disability prevention.

Proceedings of the Human Factors and Ergonomics Society Annual Meeting, 2014

A biomechanical model is presented to estimate cumulative user hand/arm force associated with two... more A biomechanical model is presented to estimate cumulative user hand/arm force associated with two pneumatic nail gun trigger systems. The contact actuation trigger (CAT) can fire a nail when the user holds the trigger depressed first and then “bumps” the nail gun safety tip against the workpiece. With a full sequential actuation trigger (SAT) the user must press the tip against the workpiece prior to activating the trigger. The SAT is demonstrably safer in reducing traumatic injury risk, but increases the duration (and magnitude) of tip force exertion. Time integrated hand force was calculated for a single user from measurements of the tip contact force with the workpiece and transfer time between nails as inputs to a quasi-dynamic model of nailing in two task orientations. Application of the model shows the hand/arm force dependence upon the orientation of the workpiece in addition to the trigger system. Based on standard time allowances from work measurement systems (i.e. MTM - 1)...

American journal of industrial medicine, Jan 4, 2016

This article examines serious and fatal pneumatic nail gun (PNG) injury investigations for workpl... more This article examines serious and fatal pneumatic nail gun (PNG) injury investigations for workplace, tool design, and human factors relevant to causation and resulting OS&H authorities' responses in terms of citations and penalties. The U.S. Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) database of Fatality and Catastrophe Investigation Summaries (F&CIS) were reviewed (1985-2012) to identify n = 258 PNG accidents. 79.8% of investigations, and 100% of fatalities, occurred in the construction industry. Between 53-71% of injuries appear to have been preventable had a safer sequential trigger tool been used. Citations and monetary penalties were related to injury severity, body part injured, disabling of safety devices, and insufficient personal protective equipment (PPE). Differences may exist between construction and other industries in investigators interpretations of PNG injury causation and resulting citations/penalties. Violations of PPE standards were penalized most s...

American journal of safe patient handling & movement, 2012

Manual full-body vertical lifts of patients have high risk for developing musculoskeletal disorde... more Manual full-body vertical lifts of patients have high risk for developing musculoskeletal disorders. Two primary types of battery-powered lift assist devices are available for these tasks: floor-based and overhead-mounted devices. Studies suggest that the operation of floor-based devices may require excessive pushing and pulling forces and that overhead-mounted devices are safer and require lower operating forces. This study evaluated required operating hand forces and resulting biomechanical spinal loading for overhead-mounted lifts versus floor-based lifts across various floor surfaces and patient weight conditions. We did not examine differences in how operators performed the tasks, but rather focused on differences in required operating forces and estimated biomechanical loads across various exposure conditions for a typical operator. Findings show that the floor-based lifts exceeded recommended exposure limits for pushing and pulling for many of the floor/weight conditions and ...

Journal of Andrology

Perspectives and Editorials and recommendations will require larger, detailed investigations base... more Perspectives and Editorials and recommendations will require larger, detailed investigations based on objective evidence establishing a clear physiologic basis to cycling-associated ED. Until that information is available, common sense approaches toward the patient concerned about ED, such as those outlined above, seem reasonable.

Professional safety, 2015

Use of a pneumatic nail gun with a sequential actuation trigger (SAT) significantly diminishes th... more Use of a pneumatic nail gun with a sequential actuation trigger (SAT) significantly diminishes the risk for acute traumatic injury compared to use of a contact actuation trigger (CAT) nail gun. A theoretically-based increased risk of work-related musculoskeletal disorders from use of a SAT nail gun, relative to CAT, appears unlikely and remains unproven. Based on current knowledge, the use of CAT nail guns cannot be justified as a safe alternative to SAT nail guns. This letter provides a perspective of ergonomists and occupational safety researchers recommending the use of the sequential actuation trigger for all nail gun tasks in the construction industry.

Journal of Occupational and Environmental Hygiene

A checklist was developed to evaluate nonpowered hand tools for basic features related to good er... more A checklist was developed to evaluate nonpowered hand tools for basic features related to good ergonomic tool design. The checklist contains 16 items to which a yes/no response is required. The checklist is intended to be used by tradespersons and is written in clear, simple language. This column reports on a study conducted to examine the reliability of the checklist questions in identifying the presence or absence of the basic ergonomic design features that are believed to be important for nonpowered hand tools. Using the checklist, 14 ergonomists and 126 carpenters evaluated 18 typical hand tools. Agreement among the carpenters and ergonomists was high for most of the checklist items. A few checklist questions were associated with relatively low agreement among raters in terms of the presence or absence of a design feature. Lack of agreement between raters indicates that the criterion was not explicit or that users had difficulty identifying whether the tool satisfied the particu...

Social media applications like YouTube can be valuable tools to significantly expand the dissemin... more Social media applications like YouTube can be valuable tools to significantly expand the dissemination of information worldwide to professionals in the field, to workers, and employers to help prevent work-related injuries, illnesses, and deaths. This presentation reports on an innovative pilot project testing the use of YouTube as a platform to drive traffic to the National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH) Web site. NIOSH worked with the Chicago police department to develop a video with footage of bicycle police officers using a no-nose seat as a part of their daily safety check. The dynamic 1-minute 26-second video was uploaded to NIOSH's YouTube channel and served as a teaser to generate curiosity and drive viewers to the NIOSH Web site to learn more about the benefits of no-nose saddles for minimizing groin pressure, a potential occupational risk to reproductive health. An active dissemination strategy was employed using internal and external connections ...

PsycEXTRA Dataset

This study evaluated the effects of handle grip span and user's hand size on maximum grip strengt... more This study evaluated the effects of handle grip span and user's hand size on maximum grip strength and individual finger force using a computerized digital dynamometer with five various grip spans (45, 50, 55, 60, and 65mm). Forty-six males participated and were assigned into three hand size groups (small, middle, large) according to their hand lengths. Results showed that generally 55 and 50mm grip spans had the highest grip strength (433.6N and 430.8N, respectively), whereas 65mm grip span had the least grip strength. With respect to the interaction effect of grip span and hand size, small hand sized participants produced the highest grip forces at the 45mm grip span, followed by 50 and 55mm, middle hand size participants provided the highest grip force at the 55mm followed by 50 and 45mm, whereas large hand size participants exerted the highest grip force at the 55mm followed by 60mm. In the analysis of individual finger force, the middle finger force was the strongest and the highest contribution (37.5%) to the total finger force, followed by ring (28.7%), index (20.2%) and little (13.6%) fingers. In addition, it was noted that each finger had a different optimal grip span for exerting maximum force, resulting in a bowed contoured shaped handle (i.e., the grip span of the handle at the center is larger than that of the handle at the end) for two-handle hand tools.

PsycEXTRA Dataset

An experiment was performed to evaluate the effect of handle diameter on handle comfort, finger f... more An experiment was performed to evaluate the effect of handle diameter on handle comfort, finger force capability, and torque, and to predict the optimal handle diameter based on a 'Normalized Hand Size (NHS)' in a maximum horizontal torque task. Subjective ratings, a force glove and LIDO WorkSET were used to assess comfort, finger force capability, and torque output on six experimental handles (from 25 to 50 mm). Analysis of subjective ratings showed that the 45 mm handle diameter was the most comfortable followed by the 50 mm handle. These two handles (50 and 45 mm) showed significantly larger torque, and lower finger forces than the other handles. The ratio of handle circumference to hand length, the NHS, was applied and resulted in 86.3% and 90.7% as the ratios to obtain maximum comfort and torque, respectively. From these data the optimal handle diameters can be recommended according to users' hand sizes in horizontal torque tasks. More sophisticated methods are being used to represent mathematically the relationships between handle diameter, finger force capability, and maximum torque output.

PsycEXTRA Dataset

The effects of handle diameter (25~50mm) and handle orientation (horizontal and vertical) on the ... more The effects of handle diameter (25~50mm) and handle orientation (horizontal and vertical) on the subjective comfort, maximum torque performance, total finger force, and efficiency of flexor and extensor muscle activity were evaluated in this study. A force glove system containing 16 force sensors was used to measure finger forces, and surface electromyography was used to investigate muscle activities during torque tasks. Overall 35~45mm diameter handles were rated as most comfortable. The average torque outputs were highest with the 45 and 50mm diameter handles in both orientations. Torque output exhibited a positive non-linear correlation with handle diameter, whereas total finger force showed an inverse relationship with handle diameter. The positive non-linear correlation between torque and handle diameter was explained by the relationship between handle diameter, total finger force, and coefficient of friction. Muscle activities and efficiencies of flexor and extensor muscles were also investigated in this study.

IIE Transactions on Occupational Ergonomics and Human Factors, 2013

Background-Pneumatic nail guns used in wood framing are equipped with one of two triggering mecha... more Background-Pneumatic nail guns used in wood framing are equipped with one of two triggering mechanisms. Sequential actuation triggers have been shown to be a safer alternative to contact actuation triggers because they reduce traumatic injury risk. However, the sequential actuation trigger must be depressed for each individual nail fired as opposed to the contact actuation trigger, which allows the trigger to be held depressed as nails are fired repeatedly by bumping the safety tip against the workpiece. As such, concerns have been raised about risks for cumulative trauma injury, and reduced productivity, due to repetitive finger motion with the sequential actuation trigger. Purpose-This study developed a method to predict cumulative finger flexor tendon travel associated with the sequential actuation trigger nail gun from finger joint kinematics measured in the trigger actuation and productivity standards for wood-frame construction tasks. Methods-Finger motions were measured from six users wearing an instrumented electrogoniometer glove in a simulation of two common framing tasks-wall building and flat nailing of material. Flexor tendon travel was calculated from the ensemble average kinematics for an individual nail fired. Results-Finger flexor tendon travel was attributable mostly to proximal interphalangeal and distal interphalangeal joint motion. Tendon travel per nail fired appeared to be slightly greater for a wall-building task than a flat nailing task. The present study data, in combination with construction industry productivity standards, suggest that a high-production workday would be * Corresponding author. BLowe@cdc.gov. OCCUPATIONAL APPLICATIONS This article reports a method for assessing finger tendon motion associated with the use of a sequential actuation trigger pneumatic nail gun. The two-stage actuation process of the sequential actuation trigger reduces risk of nail puncture injury from unintended nail discharge (relative to the higher risk of the contact actuation trigger). However, widespread adoption of the sequential actuation trigger nail gun throughout the construction industry has been hindered by beliefs about productivity and musculoskeletal concerns about the repetitive trigger actuation and finger motion for each nail fired. Though existing guidelines for finger tendon travel exposure are not well established, predictions derived with the present method combined with productivity standards suggest insufficient evidence to contradict the safety-based recommendation to adopt the sequential actuation trigger trigger.