Dose-response relationship between lung function and chest imaging response to silica exposures in artificial stone manufacturing workers.

Background: Occupational exposure to artificial stone, a popular material used for countertops, can cause accelerated silicosis, but the precise relationship between silica dose and disease development is unclear.

Objectives: This study evaluated the impact of silica exposure on lung function and chest imaging in artificial stone manufacturing workers.

Methods: Questionnaire and spirometry assessments were administered to workers in two plants.

Contributions of Ergonomics, Psychological Factors, and Sleep Disturbances to Lower Back Pain Among Taiwanese Workers.

Objective: We investigated the contributions of ergonomics, psychological factors, and sleep disturbances to lower back pain (LBP).

Methods: A nationwide survey of sampled 27,508 (2.6‰) Taiwanese workers was conducted in 2010.

Incorporating Exposure Measurement Data from Similar Exposure Scenarios to Inform Exposure Modeling Estimates: A Demonstration Using Cluster Analysis and Bayesian Modeling.

Addressing occupational health and safety concerns early in the design stage anticipates hazards and enables health professionals to recommend control measures that can best protect workers' health. This method is a well-established tool in public health. Importantly, its success depends on a comprehensive exposure assessment that incorporates previous exposure data and outcomes.

Body volume estimation equation for male laborers in Taiwan.

The purpose of this study was to develop a body volume () estimation equation for male laborers in Taiwan with body weight () and stature height () as initial estimators. A three-dimensional (3D) body scanner and a 3D foot scanner were used to measure the 3D range data of 100 male laborers in this study. Subjects' was extracted from the 3D body model, and and were used as independent variables in regression analysis.

Will daytime occupational noise exposures induce nighttime sleep disturbance?

Background: Nighttime environmental noise affects sleep quality. However, the effects of daytime occupational noise remain unclear.

Methods: A quasi-experiment of 48 participants who had been employed for at least six months in two hospital cafeterias.

Field evaluation of personal sampling methods for multiple bioaerosols.

Ambient bioaerosols are ubiquitous in the daily environment and can affect health in various ways. However, few studies have been conducted to comprehensively evaluate personal bioaerosol exposure in occupational and indoor environments because of the complex composition of bioaerosols and the lack of standardized sampling/analysis methods. We conducted a study to determine the most efficient collection/analysis method for the personal exposure assessment of multiple bioaerosols.

Risks of musculoskeletal disorders among betel quid preparers in Taiwan.

Background: Betel quid chewing is common in Taiwan. The work of betel quid preparers is characterized by long hours of static work, awkward working posture and highly repetitive hand/wrist motion. However, the musculoskeletal health of betel quid preparers receives very little attention.

Shoe sole tread designs and outcomes of slipping and falling on slippery floor surfaces.

A gait experiment was conducted under two shoe sole and three floor conditions. The shoe soles and floors were characterized by the tread and groove designs on the surface. The coefficients of friction (COF) on the floor in the target area were measured.

Effectiveness of leg movement in reducing leg swelling and discomfort in lower extremities.

Various occupations required that workers stand for long periods, causing discomfort and pain. This study considered the effectiveness of three leg movements in relieving discomfort of the lower extremities during long periods of standing at work. Ten paid male subjects with no history of problems of the lower extremities were enrolled in this study.

Influence of shoe/floor conditions on lower leg circumference and subjective discomfort during prolonged standing.

Many occupations require workers to stand for prolonged periods, which can cause both discomfort and pain. This study examines the effects of different shoe and floor conditions on standing discomfort in the workplace and laboratory. Two experiments were conducted.

Assessment of slip resistance under footwear materials, tread designs, floor contamination, and floor inclination conditions.

Slip and fall incidences are common in our daily lives. They are not only important environmental safety issues but also important occupational safety and health problems. The purpose of this study was to use the Brungraber Mark II to measure the friction so as to investigate the effects of the shoe sole, surface condition and the inclined angle of the floor and their interactions on friction coefficient.

Prevalence of musculoskeletal disorders and job exposure in Taiwan oyster shuckers.

Background: Oyster shucking is characterized by long hours of static work, awkward working posture, and highly repetitive hand/wrist motion. The objectives of this study were to investigate the prevalence of musculoskeletal discomfort and kyphosis in oyster shuckers in Taiwan as well as the biomechanical features of oyster shucking.

Methods: The Chinese version of the Standardized Nordic Musculoskeletal Questionnaire was successfully collected from 234 oyster shuckers.

Perceived job stress and health complaints at a bank call center: comparison between inbound and outbound services.

This study investigated how perceived job stress and health status differ, as well as the relationships to inbound (incoming calls) versus outbound (outgoing calls) calling activities, for call center workers in a bank in Taiwan. The sample bank employed 289 call center workers at the time of the survey, ranging in age from 19 to 54 yr old. Data were obtained on individual factors, health complaints, perceived level job stress, and major job stressors.

Ergonomic risk factors for the wrists of hairdressers.

This study utilized a portable data logger to measure the wrist angles and forearm flexor and extensor electromyography (EMG) of 21 hairstylists. The hairstylists were divided into two groups, one with 11 barbers (9 males and 2 females) specializing in men's hairdressing, and one with 10 hairdressers (2 males and 8 females) specializing in women's hairdressing. The standard haircut task was divided into three subtasks: hair cutting, washing and blow-drying.

Gender and age distribution of occupational fatalities in Taiwan.

This study analyzed fatal occupational injuries in Taiwan. One thousand eight hundred ninety work-related accident reports filed in the years 1996-1999 were extracted from the annual publication of the Council of Labor Affairs (CLA). These data were analyzed in terms of gender, age and work experience of the accident victim as well as accident type and the work-related source of injury to identify significant contributing factors.

Determination of hand surface area as a percentage of body surface area by 3D anthropometry.

This study investigates the hand surface area (HSA) and palm surface area (PSA) percentages of body surface area (BSA). The HSA and PSA of 135 men and 135 women were measured by scanner and incorporated into an existing BSA database to derive %HSA/BSA and %PSA/BSA using five stature heights and three body weights in accordance with population distribution. Allowing for various degrees of specificity, the mean %HSA/BSA and mean %PSA/BSA were found to be 2.

Design and feasibility study of an integrated pointing device apparatus for individuals with spinal cord injury.

Despite the commercial availability of numerous computer-pointing devices, many severely disabled individuals still rely on customized equipment to operate computers. This study presents a novel Integrated Pointing Device Apparatus (IPDA) that integrates numerous commercial pointing devices. The novel IPDA, which complies with a standard USB 1.

Enhancement of operational efficiencies for people with high cervical spinal cord injuries using a flexible integrated pointing device apparatus.

Objective: To investigate the effectiveness of a universal integrated pointing device apparatus (IPDA), which can integrate numerous commercial pointing devices and can be controlled by various combinations of available movements, for people with cervical spinal cord injury (SCI) who cannot operate standard computer pointing devices.

Design: An exploratory quasi-experimental design. All subjects were required to perform specific mouse-operating (continuous-clicking, target-acquisition, drag-and-drop) tasks.