Quantification of mechanical behavior of rat tail under compression.

Backgorund: The development of vibration-induced finger disorders is likely associated with combined static and dynamic responses of the fingers to vibration exposure. To study the mechanism of the disorders, a new rat-tail model has been established to mimic the finger vibration and pressure exposures. However, the mechanical behavior of the tail during compression needs to be better understood to improve the model and its applications.

Vibration and Ergonomic Exposures Associated With Musculoskeletal Disorders of the Shoulder and Neck.

Background: According to the US Bureau of Labor Statistics, musculoskeletal disorders (MSDs) accounted for 32% of all nonfatal injury and illness cases in 2014 among full-time workers. Our objective was to review and summarize the evidence linking occupational exposures to vibration and awkward posture with MSDs of the shoulder and neck.

Methods: A literature search was conducted using the terms musculoskeletal disorders, vibration, and awkward posture.

Assessing Work-Related Risk Factors on Low Back Disorders among Roofing Workers.

Roofers have long suffered from low back disorders (LBDs), which are a primary nonfatal injury in construction. Ergonomic studies have identified several risk factors associated with LBDs in workplaces and developed biomechanical models for general LBD risk assessments. However, these models cannot be directly used for assessments in roof workplaces because they are designed for general tasks without considering roofers' posture variance and effects of working on slanted roof surfaces.

Assessment of fall-arrest systems for scissor lift operators: computer modeling and manikin drop testing.

Objective: The current study is intended to evaluate the stability of a scissor lift and the performance of various fall-arrest harnesses/lanyards during drop/fall-arrest conditions and to quantify the dynamic loading to the head/ neck caused by fall-arrest forces.

Background: No data exist that establish the efficacy of fall-arrest systems for use on scissor lifts or the injury potential from the fall incidents using a fall-arrest system.

Method: The authors developed a multibody dynamic model of the scissor lift and a human lift operator model using ADAMS and LifeMOD Biomechanics Human Modeler.