Application of Biomechanics Instrumentation in Occupational Health Research

Occupational morbidities during manual material handling operations are routine at workplaces. This is a global burden contributing substantially to the economy. The multifactorial etiology for musculoskeletal disorders (MSDs) along with workplace stressors require multidisciplinary preventive effort. Biomechanics plays a pivotal role in occupational health research quarrying into the root cause analysis of posture, load handling, muscular loading, balance, and stability at work. Sophisticated instrumentation and experimental techniques assist in understanding the biomechanical mechanisms of MSDs and ergonomic principles, etc. Kinetic, kinematic, isotonic, isokinetic, as well as isometric experimental modes investigate body postures and muscular responses. Foundation of biomechanics instrumentation and injury mechanism would aid researchers alongside ergonomists in dealing with identification, assessment, and control of workplace risks through participatory ergonomics approach. Judicious utilization of this discipline would approach a long-term sustainable solution to protect health and safety of workers at the workplace.

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Application of Biomechanics Instrumentation in Occupational Health Research

Advances in Medical Technologies and Clinical Practice - Design and Development of Affordable Healthcare Technologies ◽

10.4018/978-1-5225-4969-7.ch004 ◽

2018 ◽

pp. 85-102

Author(s):

Sanjay M. Kotadiya ◽

Joydeep Majumder ◽

Sunil Kumar

Keyword(s):

Occupational Health ◽

Health Research ◽

Material Handling ◽

Health And Safety ◽

Root Cause ◽

Workplace Stressors ◽

Preventive Effort ◽

And Control ◽

Load Handling ◽

Occupational Health Research

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Evaluating the Evolution of Social Networks: A Ten-Year Longitudinal Analysis of an Agricultural, Fishing and Forestry Occupational Health Research Center

International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health ◽

10.3390/ijerph182412889 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 18 (24) ◽

pp. 12889

Author(s):

Melissa B. Scribani ◽

Pamela J. Tinc ◽

Erika E. Scott ◽

Julie A. Sorensen ◽

Nancy H. Tallman ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Social Network ◽

Occupational Health ◽

Health Research ◽

Occupational Safety ◽

Health And Safety ◽

Occupational Safety And Health ◽

Evaluation Design ◽

Safety And Health ◽

Over Time ◽

Occupational Health Research

As part of our evaluation of the NIOSH-funded Northeast Center for Occupational Health and Safety: Agriculture, Forestry and Fishing (NEC), we present methodology, findings and the potential implications of a sequential social network analysis (SNA) conducted over ten years. Assessing the effectiveness of the center’s scientific projects was our overarching evaluation goal. The evaluation design employed SNA to (a) look at changes to the center’s network over time by visualizing relationships between center collaborators annually, (b) document collaborative ties and (c) identify particularly strong or weak areas of the network. Transdisciplinary social network criteria were applied to the SNA to examine the collaboration between center personnel, their partners and the industry groups they serve. SNA participants’ perspectives on the utility of the SNA were also summarized to assess their interest in ongoing SNA measures. Annual installments of the SNA (2011–2020) showed an expansion of the network with a 30% increase in membership from baseline, as well as an increase in total relational ties (any type of contact). SNA measures also indicated significant increases in co-publication, cross-sector and transdisciplinary ties. Overall, SNA is an effective tool in visualizing and sustaining an occupational safety and health research and outreach network. Its utility is limited by how ties are characterized, grant cycle timeframes and how SNA metrics relate to productivity.

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