The Impact of COVID-19 and Pandemic Mitigation Measures on Persons With Sensory Impairment.

Purpose: To assess the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic and associated mitigation measures on persons with sensory impairments (SI), including visual impairments (VI) and hearing impairments (HI).

Design: Cross-sectional survey.

Methods: Adults with VI (best-corrected visual acuity <20/60 in the better-seeing eye), HI (International Classification of Diseases, Tenth Revision, codes), and age- and sex-matched controls (n = 375) were recruited from the University of Michigan.

Ulnar Neuropathy Among Active Workers Based Upon Hand Diagram Ratings.

Background: Limited studies have estimated the prevalence of ulnar neuropathy (UN) in the workplace. Hand diagrams have been demonstrated to have a good sensitivity and specificity when attempting to identify patients with UN.

Objective: To determine the prevalence and associated risk factors for UN among active workers based on results of a hand diagram, and to determine the reliability of hand diagram scoring.

A frequency-duty cycle equation for the ACGIH hand activity level.

A new equation for predicting the hand activity level (HAL) used in the American Conference for Government Industrial Hygienists threshold limit value®(TLV®) was based on exertion frequency (F) and percentage duty cycle (D). The TLV® includes a table for estimating HAL from F and D originating from data in Latko et al. (Latko WA, Armstrong TJ, Foulke JA, Herrin GD, Rabourn RA, Ulin SS, Development and evaluation of an observational method for assessing repetition in hand tasks.

A hand speed-duty cycle equation for estimating the ACGIH hand activity level rating.

An equation was developed for estimating hand activity level (HAL) directly from tracked root mean square (RMS) hand speed (S) and duty cycle (D). Table lookup, equation or marker-less video tracking can estimate HAL from motion/exertion frequency (F) and D. Since automatically estimating F is sometimes complex, HAL may be more readily assessed using S.

Maximum hand-rung coupling forces in children: the effects of handhold diameter.

Objective: To quantify the effect of handhold size (diameter) on the maximum breakaway strength between a hand and handhold for children.

Background: Falls from playground equipment are a major cause of childhood injury and death. It is unclear if recommendations for handholds on playground equipment are too broad.

Feasibility and safety of a novel in vivo model to assess playground falls in children.

Background: Falls are the leading cause of nonfatal unintentional injuries among hospitalized children with playground equipment accounting for more than 50%. National standards for playground rung and rail design exist, but there a lack of in vivo models available to test these standards. We developed a novel in vivo model to test rung and rail design.

Analysis of the Third National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES III) using expert ratings of job categories.

Background: Few epidemiologic studies have addressed the exposure-response relationships between work activities and symptomatic knee osteoarthritis (OA). This analysis used data from a national survey and ergonomists' ratings to address this issue.

Methods: Interview and knee X-ray data were obtained from the Third National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey.

A cross-sectional assessment of the ACGIH TLV for hand activity level.

The ACGIH Worldwide Threshold Limit Value (TLV) for hand activity "considers average hand activity level or "HAL" and peak hand force." We report cross-sectional data that assess the validity of the TLV with respect to symptoms and selected upper extremity musculoskeletal disorders among workers. The prevalence of symptoms and specific disorders were examined among 908 workers from 7 different job sites in relation to the TLV.

A longitudinal study of industrial and clerical workers: incidence of carpal tunnel syndrome and assessment of risk factors.

This study followed workers over an extended period of time to identify factors which may influence the onset of Carpal Tunnel Syndrome (CTS). The purpose was to evaluate incidence of CTS and to create a predictive model of factors that play a role in the development of CTS. This prospective study followed 432 industrial and clerical workers over 5.

A longitudinal study of industrial and clerical workers: predictors of upper extremity tendonitis.

Upper extremity tendonitis (UET) associated with work activity is common but the true incidence and risk factors can best be determined by a prospective cohort study. This study followed a cohort of 501 active workers for an average of 5.4 years.

Predictors of upper extremity discomfort: a longitudinal study of industrial and clerical workers.

Upper extremity discomfort associated with work activity is common with a prevalence of over 50% in many settings. This study followed a cohort of 501 active workers for an average of 5.4 years.

Case studies of ergonomic interventions in automotive parts distribution operations.

Ergonomic job analysis, intervention design, and intervention implementation are essential components of an ergonomics program designed to reduce worker exposure to risk factors associated with musculoskeletal disorders. As part of a 4-year study to reduce overexertion injuries in the service parts division of a major automaker, intervention case studies were identified that could be used at multiple facilities across the division. Interventions were developed and implemented.