Gary Allread | The Ohio State University (original) (raw)
Papers by Gary Allread
Proceedings of the Human Factors and Ergonomics Society Annual Meeting
Proceedings of the Human Factors and Ergonomics Society Annual Meeting
Few assessment technigues have attempted to define the role of occupational trunk motion in the r... more Few assessment technigues have attempted to define the role of occupational trunk motion in the risk of occupationally-related low back disorder (LBD) even though laboratory studies have indicated that motion significantly Increases spine loading. An in-vivo study was performed to assess the contribution of three- dimensional dynamic trunk motions to the risk of LBD during occupational lifting in industry. Over 400 industrial lifting jobs were studied in 48 industries. Specific manual materials handling jobs historically identify as either high risk or low risk for LBD were identified. A tri-axial electrogoniometer was worn by workers and documented the three-dimensional trunk motion characteristics associated with these high risk or low risk jobs. Workplace characteristics such as load moment arm, load weight, etc. were also documented for each of the repetitive lifting tasks. A multiple logistic regression model indicated that a combination of five trunk motion and workplace facto...
Proceedings of the Human Factors and Ergonomics Society Annual Meeting
Spine, Jan 12, 2000
Study design: The effects of psychosocial stress on muscle activity and spinal loading were evalu... more Study design: The effects of psychosocial stress on muscle activity and spinal loading were evaluated in a laboratory setting. Objective: To evaluate the influence of psychosocial stress, gender, and personality traits on the functioning of the biomechanical system and subsequent spine loading. Summary of background data: Physical, psychosocial, and individual factors all have been identified as potential causal factors of low back disorders. How these factors interact to alter the loading of the spine has not been investigated. Methods: Twenty-five subjects performed sagittally symmetric lifts under stressful and nonstressful conditions. Trunk muscle activity, kinematics, and kinetics were used to evaluate three-dimensional spine loading using an electromyographic-assisted biomechanical model. A personality inventory characterized the subject's personality traits. Anxiety inventories and blood pressure confirmed reactions to stress. Results: Psychosocial stress increased spine compression and lateral shear, but not in all subjects. Differences in muscle coactivation accounted for these stress reactions. Gender also influenced spine loading; Women's anterior-posterior shear forces increased in response to stress, whereas men's decreased. Certain personality traits were associated with increased spine loading compared with those with an opposing personality trait and explained loading differences between subjects. Conclusions: A potential pathway between psychosocial stress and spine loading has been identified that may explain how psychosocial stress increases risk of low back disorders. Psychosocially stressful environments solicited more of a coactivity response in people with certain personality traits, making them more susceptible to spine loading increases and suspected low back disorder risk.
Occupational Health Safety, May 1, 2004
Principles and Applications in Engineering, 2003
Proceedings of the Human Factors and Ergonomics Society Annual Meeting, 2013
ABSTRACT Flooring surfaces can be made from concrete, bar grate, composite materials, or may be c... more ABSTRACT Flooring surfaces can be made from concrete, bar grate, composite materials, or may be covered with matting material. Anecdotal data suggested that surfaces made from wood composite materials may be a more comfortable surface on which to work. The objective of this study was to quantify differences in tibial shock as 16 people walked on concrete, bar grate, a wood composite material, and a concrete surface covered with matting. An accelerometer was attached to the right shin of volunteers who were asked to walk on each surface. Significant differences across the four surfaces were observed when each participant walked at their normal walking speed (p=.041) and when they walked at a faster than normal pace (p=.023). These findings suggest that individuals working in distribution centers, where extensive walking is part of the job, would possibly experience less lower extremity discomfort on selected floor surfaces.
Valuation of Investments in People's Training and Education, Safety and Health, and Work Productivity, 2010
... It currently employs more than 5,000 associates, who make the Honda Ridgeline pickup and Civi... more ... It currently employs more than 5,000 associates, who make the Honda Ridgeline pickup and Civic as well as Acura's MDX and ... The mission of the Orthopaedic Ergonomics Laboratory is to improve the interactions among employees, their jobs, and their work environments. ...
Back ground: While evidence suggests that psychosocial aspects of work impact low back disorders,... more Back ground: While evidence suggests that psychosocial aspects of work impact low back disorders, previous studies had methodological shortcomings. Using objective measures of physical workload and low back function, this prospective study examines the perception of fairness in the workplace as a moderator between physical workload and low back function. Methods. Warehouse employees (n = 301) provided data at baseline and six-month follow-up. Perceptions of management fairness were measured in a questionnaire with a 23-item scale (Cronbach alpha = .94) developed from a previous qualitative study. Physical workload was assessed by an ergonomist through systematic observation, and the number of exertions that exceed the threshold limit value was calculated for each job. Low back functioning was measured using a lumbar motion monitor. Linear regression was used to examine the association between the change in fairness perceptions and change in low back function for three levels of phys...
Occupational health & safety (Waco, Tex.), 2004
Spine, 1993
Current ergonomic techniques for controlling the risk of occupationally-related low back disorder... more Current ergonomic techniques for controlling the risk of occupationally-related low back disorder consist of static assessments of spinal loading during lifting activities. This may be problematic because several biomechanical models and epidemiologic studies suggest that the dynamic characteristics of a lift increase spine loading and the risk of occupational low back disorder. It has been difficult to include this motion information in workplace assessments because the speed at which trunk motion becomes dangerous has not been determined. An in vivo study was performed to assess the contribution of three-dimensional dynamic trunk motions to the risk of low back disorder during occupational lifting in industry. More than 400 repetitive industrial lifting jobs were studied in 48 varied industries. Existing medical and injury records in these industries were examined so that specific jobs historically categorized as either high-risk or low-risk for reported occupationally-related low back disorder could be identified. A triaxial electrogoniometer was worn by workers and documented the three-dimensional angular position, velocity, and acceleration characteristics of the lumbar spine while workers lifted in these high-risk or low-risk jobs. Workplace and individual characteristics were also documented for each of the repetitive lifting tasks. A multiple logistic regression model was developed, based on biomechanical plausibility, and indicated that a combination of five trunk motion and workplace factors distinguished between high and low risk of occupationally-related low back disorder risk well (odds ratio: 10.7). These factors included 1) lifting frequency, 2) load moment, 3) trunk lateral velocity, 4) trunk twisting velocity, and 5) the trunk sagittal angle. This analysis implies that by suitably varying these five factors observed during the lift collectively, the odds of high-risk group membership may decrease by almost 11 times. The predictive power of this model was found to be more than three times greater than that of current lifting guidelines. This study, though not proving causality, indicates an association between the biomechanical factors and low back disorder risk. This model could be used as a quantitative, objective measure to design the workplace so that the risk of occupationally-related low back disorder is minimized.
Theoretical Issues in Ergonomics Science, 2006
Personality theory suggests that individuals can react differently to the same situation. The pri... more Personality theory suggests that individuals can react differently to the same situation. The primary objective of this research was to study employees' personality preferences as they related to manual materials handing jobs. The hypothesis tested was that those whose work preferences did not match the nature of their job requirements would report more psychosocial, physiological or psychological stress and strain compared with those whose personality preferences did match their jobs. A total of 133 employees from two distribution centres completed the Myers-Briggs Type Indicator and other inventories pertaining to their work environments. The results showed that, when employees' personalities were better matched with the nature of their work environment, they generally reported less anxiety and physical discomfort and more job satisfaction and social support than those having a mismatch. This relationship was more prominent in the less physically demanding jobs, suggesting an interaction between physical workload factors and psychosocial influences. This research suggests that integrating knowledge of one's personality preferences with the physical and psychosocial demands of a job may increase one's understanding of the causes of musculoskeletal discomfort in industrial workplaces and aid ergonomists in designing jobs to better match individuals' capabilities, limitations and work preferences.
Proceedings of the Human Factors and Ergonomics Society Annual Meeting
Proceedings of the Human Factors and Ergonomics Society Annual Meeting
Few assessment technigues have attempted to define the role of occupational trunk motion in the r... more Few assessment technigues have attempted to define the role of occupational trunk motion in the risk of occupationally-related low back disorder (LBD) even though laboratory studies have indicated that motion significantly Increases spine loading. An in-vivo study was performed to assess the contribution of three- dimensional dynamic trunk motions to the risk of LBD during occupational lifting in industry. Over 400 industrial lifting jobs were studied in 48 industries. Specific manual materials handling jobs historically identify as either high risk or low risk for LBD were identified. A tri-axial electrogoniometer was worn by workers and documented the three-dimensional trunk motion characteristics associated with these high risk or low risk jobs. Workplace characteristics such as load moment arm, load weight, etc. were also documented for each of the repetitive lifting tasks. A multiple logistic regression model indicated that a combination of five trunk motion and workplace facto...
Proceedings of the Human Factors and Ergonomics Society Annual Meeting
Spine, Jan 12, 2000
Study design: The effects of psychosocial stress on muscle activity and spinal loading were evalu... more Study design: The effects of psychosocial stress on muscle activity and spinal loading were evaluated in a laboratory setting. Objective: To evaluate the influence of psychosocial stress, gender, and personality traits on the functioning of the biomechanical system and subsequent spine loading. Summary of background data: Physical, psychosocial, and individual factors all have been identified as potential causal factors of low back disorders. How these factors interact to alter the loading of the spine has not been investigated. Methods: Twenty-five subjects performed sagittally symmetric lifts under stressful and nonstressful conditions. Trunk muscle activity, kinematics, and kinetics were used to evaluate three-dimensional spine loading using an electromyographic-assisted biomechanical model. A personality inventory characterized the subject's personality traits. Anxiety inventories and blood pressure confirmed reactions to stress. Results: Psychosocial stress increased spine compression and lateral shear, but not in all subjects. Differences in muscle coactivation accounted for these stress reactions. Gender also influenced spine loading; Women's anterior-posterior shear forces increased in response to stress, whereas men's decreased. Certain personality traits were associated with increased spine loading compared with those with an opposing personality trait and explained loading differences between subjects. Conclusions: A potential pathway between psychosocial stress and spine loading has been identified that may explain how psychosocial stress increases risk of low back disorders. Psychosocially stressful environments solicited more of a coactivity response in people with certain personality traits, making them more susceptible to spine loading increases and suspected low back disorder risk.
Occupational Health Safety, May 1, 2004
Principles and Applications in Engineering, 2003
Proceedings of the Human Factors and Ergonomics Society Annual Meeting, 2013
ABSTRACT Flooring surfaces can be made from concrete, bar grate, composite materials, or may be c... more ABSTRACT Flooring surfaces can be made from concrete, bar grate, composite materials, or may be covered with matting material. Anecdotal data suggested that surfaces made from wood composite materials may be a more comfortable surface on which to work. The objective of this study was to quantify differences in tibial shock as 16 people walked on concrete, bar grate, a wood composite material, and a concrete surface covered with matting. An accelerometer was attached to the right shin of volunteers who were asked to walk on each surface. Significant differences across the four surfaces were observed when each participant walked at their normal walking speed (p=.041) and when they walked at a faster than normal pace (p=.023). These findings suggest that individuals working in distribution centers, where extensive walking is part of the job, would possibly experience less lower extremity discomfort on selected floor surfaces.
Valuation of Investments in People's Training and Education, Safety and Health, and Work Productivity, 2010
... It currently employs more than 5,000 associates, who make the Honda Ridgeline pickup and Civi... more ... It currently employs more than 5,000 associates, who make the Honda Ridgeline pickup and Civic as well as Acura's MDX and ... The mission of the Orthopaedic Ergonomics Laboratory is to improve the interactions among employees, their jobs, and their work environments. ...
Back ground: While evidence suggests that psychosocial aspects of work impact low back disorders,... more Back ground: While evidence suggests that psychosocial aspects of work impact low back disorders, previous studies had methodological shortcomings. Using objective measures of physical workload and low back function, this prospective study examines the perception of fairness in the workplace as a moderator between physical workload and low back function. Methods. Warehouse employees (n = 301) provided data at baseline and six-month follow-up. Perceptions of management fairness were measured in a questionnaire with a 23-item scale (Cronbach alpha = .94) developed from a previous qualitative study. Physical workload was assessed by an ergonomist through systematic observation, and the number of exertions that exceed the threshold limit value was calculated for each job. Low back functioning was measured using a lumbar motion monitor. Linear regression was used to examine the association between the change in fairness perceptions and change in low back function for three levels of phys...
Occupational health & safety (Waco, Tex.), 2004
Spine, 1993
Current ergonomic techniques for controlling the risk of occupationally-related low back disorder... more Current ergonomic techniques for controlling the risk of occupationally-related low back disorder consist of static assessments of spinal loading during lifting activities. This may be problematic because several biomechanical models and epidemiologic studies suggest that the dynamic characteristics of a lift increase spine loading and the risk of occupational low back disorder. It has been difficult to include this motion information in workplace assessments because the speed at which trunk motion becomes dangerous has not been determined. An in vivo study was performed to assess the contribution of three-dimensional dynamic trunk motions to the risk of low back disorder during occupational lifting in industry. More than 400 repetitive industrial lifting jobs were studied in 48 varied industries. Existing medical and injury records in these industries were examined so that specific jobs historically categorized as either high-risk or low-risk for reported occupationally-related low back disorder could be identified. A triaxial electrogoniometer was worn by workers and documented the three-dimensional angular position, velocity, and acceleration characteristics of the lumbar spine while workers lifted in these high-risk or low-risk jobs. Workplace and individual characteristics were also documented for each of the repetitive lifting tasks. A multiple logistic regression model was developed, based on biomechanical plausibility, and indicated that a combination of five trunk motion and workplace factors distinguished between high and low risk of occupationally-related low back disorder risk well (odds ratio: 10.7). These factors included 1) lifting frequency, 2) load moment, 3) trunk lateral velocity, 4) trunk twisting velocity, and 5) the trunk sagittal angle. This analysis implies that by suitably varying these five factors observed during the lift collectively, the odds of high-risk group membership may decrease by almost 11 times. The predictive power of this model was found to be more than three times greater than that of current lifting guidelines. This study, though not proving causality, indicates an association between the biomechanical factors and low back disorder risk. This model could be used as a quantitative, objective measure to design the workplace so that the risk of occupationally-related low back disorder is minimized.
Theoretical Issues in Ergonomics Science, 2006
Personality theory suggests that individuals can react differently to the same situation. The pri... more Personality theory suggests that individuals can react differently to the same situation. The primary objective of this research was to study employees' personality preferences as they related to manual materials handing jobs. The hypothesis tested was that those whose work preferences did not match the nature of their job requirements would report more psychosocial, physiological or psychological stress and strain compared with those whose personality preferences did match their jobs. A total of 133 employees from two distribution centres completed the Myers-Briggs Type Indicator and other inventories pertaining to their work environments. The results showed that, when employees' personalities were better matched with the nature of their work environment, they generally reported less anxiety and physical discomfort and more job satisfaction and social support than those having a mismatch. This relationship was more prominent in the less physically demanding jobs, suggesting an interaction between physical workload factors and psychosocial influences. This research suggests that integrating knowledge of one's personality preferences with the physical and psychosocial demands of a job may increase one's understanding of the causes of musculoskeletal discomfort in industrial workplaces and aid ergonomists in designing jobs to better match individuals' capabilities, limitations and work preferences.