Cumulative trauma illness currently accounts for over half of all occupational illness in the United States. From 1987 to 1989 there was a 100% increase in the reported number of cases of cumulative trauma illness (Bureau of Labor Statistics 1990). Shoulder region pain ranks second only to low back and neck pain in clinical frequency, and the occurrence of occupational shoulder illness is on the rise. This paper summarizes findings of a subset of recent epidemiologic, laboratory, and field studies conducted in order to identify occupational risk factors for cumulative trauma disorders (CTDs) of the shoulder region. These studies have identified the following risk factors as being associated with particular shoulder pain syndromes: awkward or static postures, heavy work, direct load bearing, repetitive arm movements, working with hands above shoulder height, and lack of rest. The paper begins with a discussion of several shoulder disorders, includes problems in studying cumulative trauma, presents results of recent studies, and concludes with suggested ergonomic controls that could help to reduce the incidence of shoulder disorders, by eliminating or reducing exposure to the associated risk factors.

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Despite low airborne solvent exposures, vehicle collision repair spray painters and panel beaters continue to be at risk of symptoms of neurotoxicity.

In the wake of building information modelling, virtual reality is receiving attention for visualizing design details by means of virtual prototypes or virtual mock-ups. Examples for courthouse design review have prompted application to healthcare facilities. To facilitate perspective for patient-centred and evidence-based design, highly interactive, immersive virtual modelling is promoted to assist project stakeholders in validating design alternatives. This approach requires a significant database of model components to achieve timely turnaround of model concepts. The modelling of interactive elements (e.g. opening doors, folding beds) consumes more time than acceptable to the typical healthcare facility project team. The authors therefore are establishing a technology HUB to act as a central repository for object models shared by contributing partners. The HUB is intended to advance this approach and speed arrival to final product. The plan for this collaborative vehicle is described, as are issues relevant to partnering in this manner.

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& Blue, C. L. (2004). Ergonomics: The development of an ergonomics training program to identify, evaluate, and control musculoskeletal disorders among nursing assistants at a state-run veterans' home.

The threat of bioterrorism and pandemics has highlighted the urgency for rapid and reliable bioaerosol detection in different environments. Safeguarding against such threats requires continuous sampling of the ambient air for pathogen detection. In this study we investigated the efficacy of the Airborne Sample Analysis Platform (ASAP) 2800 bioaerosol sampler to collect representative samples of air and identify specific viruses suspended as bioaerosols. To test this concept, we aerosolized an innocuous replication-defective bovine adenovirus serotype 3 (BAdV3) in a controlled laboratory environment. The ASAP efficiently trapped the surrogate virus at 5 × 103 plaque-forming units (p.f.u.) [2 × 105 genome copy equivalent] concentrations or more resulting in the successful detection of the virus using quantitative PCR. These results support the further development of ASAP for bioaerosol pathogen detection.

In this study, proactive stability control while handling loads and negotiating an elevated surface was examined. Ten young healthy males completed two gait-mode conditions--level walking and negotiating a raised surface. Load-handling conditions were: no load, empty box (reduced visual information), and loaded box (reduced visual information combined with increased inertial load). The lower limb trajectory in the sagittal plane was not modified as a function of reduced visual information or increased inertial load. The step width decreased while stepping over the surface and carrying the loaded box. The trunk pitch angle was biased backwards for both the empty box and the loaded box. When carrying the empty box and negotiating the surface, the trunk pitch range of motion (ROM) increased which may have been a strategy to increase visual exteroceptive information. As increased net trunk pitch could destabilize the system, concurrent stabilizing strategies--decreased gait velocity and reduced net trunk roll velocity--were observed. To meet the equilibrium goals when carrying the loaded box, the trunk pitch ROM and net pitch velocity were reduced during both level walking and surface accommodation. Trunk roll ROM was reduced when carrying the load and negotiating the surface. This study extends our knowledge regarding whole body coordination strategies during anticipatory locomotor adaptations.