Hum Factors

Objective:A computer vision method was developed for estimating the trunk flexion angle, angular speed, and angular acceleration by extracting simple features from the moving image during lifting.Background:Trunk kinematics is an important risk factor for lower back pain, but is often difficult to measure by practitioners for lifting risk assessments.Methods:Mannequins representing a wide range of hand locations for different lifting postures were systematically generated using the University of Michigan 3DSSPP software. A bounding box was drawn tightly around each mannequin and regression models estimated trunk angles. The estimates were validated against human posture data for 216 lifts collected using a laboratory-grade motion capture system and synchronized video recordings. Trunk kinematics, based on bounding box dimensions drawn around the subjects in the video recordings of the lifts, were modeled for consecutive video frames.Results:The mean absolute difference between predicted and motion capture measured trunk angles was 14.65\ub0, and there was a significant linear relationship between predicted and measured trunk angles (R2 = 0.80, p < 0.001). The training error for the kinematics model was 2.34\ub0.Conclusion:Using simple computer vision extracted features, the bounding box method indirectly estimated trunk angle and associated kinematics, albeit with limited precision.Application:This computer vision method may be implemented on hand-held devices such as smartphones to facilitate automatic lifting risk assessments in the workplace.R01OH011024/ACL/ACL HHSUnited States/R01 OH011024/OH/NIOSH CDC HHSUnited States/T42OH008434/ACL/ACL HHSUnited States/CC999999/ImCDC/Intramural CDC HHSUnited States/T42 OH008434/OH/NIOSH CDC HHSUnited States

NIOSH bibliography of communication and research products 2019

50 Years Ago \u2026 A New Era for Worker Health and SafetyThe Occupational Safety and Health (OSH) Act of 1970 promotes safe and healthful work conditions for all working men and women, regardless of their industry or job. The OSH Act created the National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH), a part of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention in the Department of Health and Human Services. The act created the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) and placed it in the Department of Labor. NIOSH is an independent research program, separate from the regulatory OSHA, which sets and enforces occupational safety and health standards, promotes safety and health training and education, and works with stakeholders to develop innovative and creative approaches to preventing workplace hazards. The OSH Act separated the two agencies to give NIOSH independence to generate objective scientific research findings in the field of occupational safety and health.The OSH Act also provided NIOSH with right-of-entry authority to make inspections and question employers and employees. NIOSH was charged with conducting education programs, providing safety and health specialists, and developing information on the proper use of safety and health equipment. The OSH Act intends for NIOSH-produced research to inform OSHA safety and health standards. To better understand the OSH Act, the following sections explore the reasons why it came to be."This publication is a compendium of NIOSH publications and reports produced during calendar year 2019. Citations are listed by category including: I. Journal Articles; II. Book or Book Chapters; III. NIOSH Numbered Publications; IV. Proceedings; V. Abstracts; VI. Control Technology Reports; VII. Fatality Assessment and Control Evaluation Reports; VIII. Fire Fighter Fatality Investigation and Prevention Reports; and, VIII. Health Hazard Evaluation Reports. Author and National Occupational Research Agenda (NORA) indexes are also included." - NIOSHTIC-2Suggested citation: NIOSH [2020]. NIOSH Bibliography of Communication and Research Products 2019. By Bennett W, Fendinger S, Gran M, Hamilton C, Lechliter J, Novakovich J, Reuss V. Cincinnati, OH: U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health, DHHS (NIOSH) Publication No. 2020-113, https://doi.org/10.26616/NIOSHPUB2020113NIOSHTIC no. 200594772020-113.pdf?id=10.26616/NIOSHPUB2020113Foreword -- OSH Act at 50: A Special Report -- Year in Review -- Journal Articles -- Books or Book Chapters -- NIOSH Numbered Products -- Proceedings -- Abstracts -- Control Technology Reports -- Fatality Assessment and Control Evaluation Reports -- Fire Fighter Fatality Investigation and Prevention Reports -- Health Hazard Evaluation Reports -- Index -- National Occupational Research Agenda (NORA) Index.202010.26616/NIOSHPUB2020113761