Papers by Mahiyar Nasarwanji
Proceedings of the Human Factors and Ergonomics Society Annual Meeting
NIOSH researchers are pioneering the study of musculoskeletal health as professional ergonomists.... more NIOSH researchers are pioneering the study of musculoskeletal health as professional ergonomists. We examine physical and social components of work environments to mitigate musculoskeletal injury risks. Part of our mission is to reduce the burden of work-related musculoskeletal disorders (MSDs) through a focused program of research and prevention that protects workers from MSDs, helps management mitigate related risks and liabilities, and helps practitioners improve the efficacy of workplace interventions. The purpose of this discussion panel is to disseminate research findings and recommendations (1) to practitioners to interpret and apply the results of research to real-world problems, and (2) to inspire researchers to continue their efforts to protect the millions of workers at risk.
Mining, metallurgy & exploration, Feb 24, 2022
Injuries associated with hands and fingers are highly prevalent in mining and identifying factors... more Injuries associated with hands and fingers are highly prevalent in mining and identifying factors associated with these injuries are critical in developing prevention efforts. This study identifies nonfatal injury incidence rates, nature of injury, work activities, glove usage, and sources of hand and finger injuries in the U.S. mining industry, as reported to the Mine Safety and Health Administration (MSHA) from 2011 – 2017. Hand and finger injuries occur at a rate of 6.53 per 1000 full-time employees, which is nearly double the rate of the next highest affected body part, the back. Most of the hand and finger injuries were classified as cuts/lacerations/punctures (53%) followed by bone fractures/chips (26%). Materials handling and maintenance/repair were common activities at the time of the incident with miscellaneous metals (pipe, wire, guarding) and hand tools as the primary sources of hand and finger injury. Although the information on glove use was limited, leather gloves were most often worn when an injury occurred. When worn, gloves were found to contribute to 20% of the injuries, indicating their potential to protect the hands, but also potentially put the hands at risk. Further research is necessary to determine performance requirements for gloves used in mining operations, specifically those offering cut and puncture resistance.
International Journal of Industrial Ergonomics, May 1, 2016
Several tools are sold and recommended for closing and sealing flexible intermediate bulk contain... more Several tools are sold and recommended for closing and sealing flexible intermediate bulk containers (bulk bags) which are used to transport product that has been mined and processed. However, there is limited information on the risks, physical demands, or the benefits of using one tool over another. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the physical demands involved with two closing methods and several sealing tools in order to provide recommendations for selecting tools to reduce exposure to risk factors for work-related musculoskeletal disorders. In this study, twelve participants completed bag closing and sealing tasks using two different closing methods and eight sealing tools on two types of bulk bags. Physical demands and performance were evaluated using muscle activity, perceived exertion, subjective ratings of use, and time. Results indicate that using the "flowering" method to close bags required on average 32% less muscle activity, 30% less perceived exertion, 42% less time, and was preferred by participants compared to using the "snaking" method. For sealing, there was no single method significantly better across all measures; however, using a pneumatic cable tie gun consistently had the lowest muscle activity and perceived exertion ratings. The pneumatic cable tie gun did require approximately 33% more time to seal the bag compared to methods without a tool, but the amount of time to seal the bag was comparable to using other tools. Further, sealing a spout bulk bag required on average 13% less muscle activity, 18% less perceived exertion, 35% less time, and was preferred by participants compared to sealing a duffle bulk bag. The current results suggest that closing the spout bag using the flowering method and sealing the bag using the pneumatic cable tie gun that is installed with a tool balancer is ergonomically advantageous. Our findings can help organizations select methods and tools that pose the lowest physical demands when closing and sealing bulk bags.
Journal of Occupational and Environmental Hygiene, Aug 3, 2018
The use of respiratory protection, an important component of personal protective equipment (PPE) ... more The use of respiratory protection, an important component of personal protective equipment (PPE) in healthcare, is dependent on the hazard and environmental conditions in the workplace. This requires the employer and healthcare worker (HCW) to be knowledgeable about potential exposures and their respective protective measures. However, the use of respirators is inconsistent in healthcare settings, potentially putting HCWs at risk for illness or injury. To better understand respirator use, barriers, and influences, the National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH) Health and Safety Practices Survey of Healthcare Workers provided an opportunity to examine self-reported use of respirators and surgical masks for targeted hazards. The hazards of interest included aerosolized medications, antineoplastic drugs, chemical sterilants, high-level disinfectants, influenza-like illness (ILI), and surgical smoke. Of the 10,383 HCWs who reported respiratory protection behaviors, 1,904 (18%) reported wearing a respirator for at least one hazard. Hazard type, job duties, site characteristics, and organizational factors played a greater role in the likelihood of respirator use than individual factors. The proportion of respirator users was highest for aerosolized medications and lowest for chemical sterilants. Most respondents reported using a surgical mask for at least one of the hazards, with highest use for surgical smoke generated by electrosurgical techniques and ILI. The high proportion of respirator non-users who used surgical masks is concerning because HCWs may be using a surgical mask in situations that require a respirator, specifically for surgical smoke. Improved guidance on hazard recognition, risk evaluation, and appropriate respirator selection could potentially help HCWs better understand how to protect themselves at work.
Home Health Care Services Quarterly, Oct 2, 2015
Older adults discharged from the hospital to skilled home health care (SHHC) are at high risk for... more Older adults discharged from the hospital to skilled home health care (SHHC) are at high risk for experiencing suboptimal transitions. Using the human factors approach of shadowing and contextual inquiry, we studied the workflow for transitioning older adults from the hospital to SHHC. We created a representative diagram of the hospital to SHHC transition workflow, we examined potential workflow variations, we categorized workflow challenges, and we identified artifacts developed to manage variations and challenges. We identified three overarching challenges to optimal care transitions-information access, coordination, and communication/teamwork. Future investigations could test whether redesigning the transition from hospital to SHHC, based on our findings, improves workflow and care quality.
Mining Engineering, Nov 1, 2020
Nonfatal injuries from slips, trips, and falls (STF) that occur at surface mines can result from ... more Nonfatal injuries from slips, trips, and falls (STF) that occur at surface mines can result from inadequate lighting. Mobile equipment operators are among the occupations associated with the nonfatal incidents reported to the U.S. Mine Safety and Health Administration (MSHA). In addition, getting on/off the equipment (ingress/egress) frequently adds to the highest proportion of nonfatal incidents. Accordingly, researchers at the Pittsburgh Mining Research Division (PMRD), National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH) conducted a field study to investigate lighting on haul trucks and wheel loaders with regard to glare and illuminance levels recommended by the Illuminating Engineering Society (IES). The objective was to determine whether two light-emitting diode (LED) area luminaires-a Mr. Beams® (model MB390 Ultrabright) (area luminaire-1) and a NIOSH-developed Saturn (custom-designed for a mine roof bolter study) (area luminaire-2)-could complement a headlamp luminaire. Measured levels of visual tasks, with the headlamp alone and the area luminaires plus the headlamp, demonstrated that illuminance met or exceeded IES-recommended levels. Nevertheless, the area luminaires illuminated a much broader area, which is key to increasing hazard awareness. Discomfort and disability glare were lower with area luminaire-1 than with area luminaire-2. Differences in glare were more noticeable for newer models of haul trucks and loaders featuring updated ingress/egress system designs. This study demonstrates that commercially available luminaires, such as area luminaire-1, are capable of complementing headlamp lighting, and can thus improve a miner's ability to detect and avoid STF hazards.
Journal of Nursing Care Quality, Jul 1, 2016
This study synthesizes information contained in 27 mnemonics to identify what information should ... more This study synthesizes information contained in 27 mnemonics to identify what information should be communicated during a handoff. Clustering and content analysis resulted in 12 primary information clusters that should be communicated. Given the large amount of information identified, it would be beneficial to use a structured handoff communication tool developed using a participatory approach. In addition, we recommend local standardization of information communicated during handoffs with variation across settings.
Improving mine worker safety and health is a key goal for the Pittsburgh Mining Research Division... more Improving mine worker safety and health is a key goal for the Pittsburgh Mining Research Division of the National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH). Opportunities to enhance the safety and health of mobile mining equipment operators through strategies to lower the risk of musculoskeletal disorders and traumatic injuries is an important element of the overall NIOSH mining research program. This paper reviews various emerging technologies that, if fully developed and implemented, could positively impact the health and safety of mine workers who operate mobile mining equipment. Those technologies showing potential for enhancing operator safety and health in the near future are addressed herein.
Advances in intelligent systems and computing, Jun 27, 2018
The shoe-floor interface is a key element in preventing slips and falls. The design of footwear a... more The shoe-floor interface is a key element in preventing slips and falls. The design of footwear and the floor surface should be considered to ensure worker safety. Testing various floor surface materials and boots in a real-world setting would impose unnecessary risk to participants and limit the extent of testing possible. Hence, two examples of high-fidelity physical simulation—an inclined grated metal walkway and a grated metal stairway—were built to evaluate risk factors for slips and falls associated with various walkway materials and boots with metatarsal guards. This paper discusses details and findings of the two studies. Also discussed are the advantages and disadvantages of using physical simulations of the environments, including decreased risk for participants and large space requirements for the experiment. Findings of the research can help select appropriate floor surface materials and boots for the mining industry and inform the use of future high-fidelity physical simulations.
Mining, metallurgy & exploration, Jun 17, 2020
Nonfatal injuries from slips, trips, and falls (STF) that occur at surface mines can result from ... more Nonfatal injuries from slips, trips, and falls (STF) that occur at surface mines can result from inadequate lighting. Mobile equipment operators are among the occupations associated with the nonfatal incidents reported to the U.S. Mine Safety and Health Administration (MSHA). In addition, getting on/off the equipment (ingress/egress) frequently adds to the highest proportion of nonfatal incidents. Accordingly, researchers at the Pittsburgh Mining Research Division (PMRD), National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH) conducted a field study to investigate lighting on haul trucks and wheel loaders with regard to glare and illuminance levels recommended by the Illuminating Engineering Society (IES). The objective was to determine whether two light-emitting diode (LED) area luminaires—a Mr. Beams® (model MB390 Ultrabright) (area luminaire-1) and a NIOSH-developed Saturn (custom-designed for a mine roof bolter study) (area luminaire-2)—could complement a headlamp luminaire. Measured levels of visual tasks, with the headlamp alone and the area luminaires plus the headlamp, demonstrated that illuminance met or exceeded IES-recommended levels. Nevertheless, the area luminaires illuminated a much broader area, which is key to increasing hazard awareness. Discomfort and disability glare were lower with area luminaire-1 than with area luminaire-2. Differences in glare were more noticeable for newer models of haul trucks and loaders featuring updated ingress/egress system designs. This study demonstrates that commercially available luminaires, such as area luminaire-1, are capable of complementing headlamp lighting, and can thus improve a miner’s ability to detect and avoid STF hazards.
Mining, metallurgy & exploration, Jan 22, 2020
Within the metal/nonmetal mining sector, fall-related incidents account for a large proportion of... more Within the metal/nonmetal mining sector, fall-related incidents account for a large proportion of fatal and non-fatal injuries. However, the events and contributing factors leading up to these incidents have not been fully investigated. To help provide a clearer picture of these factors, an analysis of imminent danger orders issued by the Mine Safety and Health Administration (MSHA) between 2010 and 2017 at both surface and underground metal/nonmetal mine sites revealed that most orders are associated with fall risks. Of these cases, 84% involved the workers not using fall protection, fall protection not being provided, or the improper use of fall protection. Fall risks for workers most frequently occurred when standing on mobile equipment, performing maintenance and repairs on plant equipment, or working near highwalls. In most cases, a single, basic, corrective action (e.g., using fall protection) would have allowed workers to perform the task safely. Overall, these findings suggest that a systematic approach is needed to identify, eliminate, and prevent imminent danger situations. Furthermore, to protect mineworkers from falls from height, frequently performed tasks requiring fall protection should be redesigned to eliminate the reliance on personal fall protection.
Proceedings of the Human Factors and Ergonomics Society ... Annual Meeting, Sep 1, 2016
Previous work has been done in the mining industry to identify contributing factors for injuries ... more Previous work has been done in the mining industry to identify contributing factors for injuries based on MSHA reports of fatalities and non-fatal injuries. Although slips, trips, and falls account for a large proportion of fatalities and non-fatal injuries, the contributing factors associated with these incidents have not been adequately documented in the mining industry. To this end, publically available MSHA reports describing fatalities were coded to identify job categories, activities, causal factors, and contributing factors for slip, trip, and fall fatalities at surface mining facilities. Laborer, equipment operator, mechanic/maintenance man, and supervisor/management/trainer were the job categories associated with a large proportion of fatalities. Maintenance and repair has been shown to be a hazardous task, and it was also found to result in slips, trips, and falls fatalities. In addition, installation, construction, and dismantling were common tasks at the time of the incidents. The cause of most fatalities involved a fall from height for both the coal and metal/nonmetal sectors, with falling through an opening, failure of the ground/equipment, or being ejected from/thrown off of equipment being secondary causes. The most common contributing factor was the lack of fall protection or inappropriate use of fall protection. Inadequate barriers, equipmentrelated factors, and a lack of adequate operating procedure were also identified as contributing factors. To prevent slip, trip, and fall fatalities, it is recommended that (1) special attention be placed on maintenance, repair, construction, and dismantling activities, (2) appropriate and adequate barriers are installed when needed to prevent inadvertent access, (3) equipment is regularly inspected and maintained, and (4) employees are provided appropriate safety equipment, safe working procedures are established and followed, and adequate training is provided.
Proceedings of the Human Factors and Ergonomics Society ... Annual Meeting, Nov 1, 2019
Slips, trips, and falls (STF) contribute significantly to nonfatal incidents at surface mines. Al... more Slips, trips, and falls (STF) contribute significantly to nonfatal incidents at surface mines. Although fall fatalities and STF from mobile equipment have been investigated, nonfatal incidents and STF hazards encountered at mines are not well documented. This paper aims to identify occupations and activities associated with nonfatal STF incidents at surface stone, sand, and gravel mines, document through a systematic observation the STF hazards encountered, and corroborate the findings of the hazard assessment using an analysis of nonfatal injury narratives reported in the Mine Safety and Health Administration (MSHA) injury database. Mobile equipment operators, laborers/utility men, and mechanics were most often involved in nonfatal STF incidents. Walking/running, getting on/off equipment, machine maintenance and repair, and handling supplies and materials accounted for over 80% of the activities being performed at the time of the incident. Solid debris, in the form of rocks and stones on unpaved surfaces and material accumulation on paved surfaces, and liquid contaminants, primarily pooled water, were common hazards identified during the systematic observation. Stair tread issues and transitions to and from ladders were also identified as hazards. These findings were in line with injury data where rocks, ice/snow, uneven ground, water, hoses, mud, and loose/unstable material were the most common contaminants and hazards encountered at the time of the incident. In addition, several recommendations are provided to help eliminate or remediate the identified hazards.
Footwear Science, Sep 2, 2018
In the mining industry, slips and falls are the second leading cause of non-fatal injuries. Footw... more In the mining industry, slips and falls are the second leading cause of non-fatal injuries. Footwear is the primary defence against a slip; consequently, the condition of the footwear outsole is critical to maintaining slip resistance. Currently, there is no published method that can be used to determine when the outsole no longer affords adequate slip protection. Moreover, quantifying the condition of the outsole through the measurement of outsole features can be tedious. This article introduces a new method for the quantification of boot outsole wear. Using a handheld 3D scanner, boot scans can be taken quickly and the developed models used to measure outsole features. This method also accounts for the bending of the boot due to normal wear, which may otherwise introduce erroneous measures. When compared to measurements with a traditional handheld calliper, this new method offers more flexibility in terms of data collection, accounts for other types of boot transformations, and is more efficient to use over multiple measurement periods with no statistically significant differences in measurement.
Safety Science, Dec 1, 2019
Slips, trips, and falls (STFs) pose a significant financial burden to employers and account for o... more Slips, trips, and falls (STFs) pose a significant financial burden to employers and account for over 33% of the total nonfatal workers’ compensation cost in the United States. Previous analyses documenting the burden of STF incidents in the mining industry have focused on occupational fatalities or STFs during equipment ingress, egress. There is limited information on the burden of nonfatal STF incidents in the mining industry and most of it is outdated. Hence, to increase awareness and highlight the importance of STFs in the mining industry, this analysis documents the burden associated with nonfatal STF incidents at surface stone, sand, and gravel (SSG) mines from 2008 through 2017. In this time frame, nonfatal STF incidents occurred at a rate of 62 per 10,000 full-time equivalent (FTE) employees per year. Pits had a higher prevalence of injuries, but plants had a higher incidence rate. In addition, nonfatal STF incidents at surface SSG mines led to approximately 23,800 total days lost per year with an estimated cost to the mining industry of $17.5 million per year. Assessed violations that are not related to reported injuries but are related to STF hazards identified during Mine Safety and Health Administration (MSHA) inspections cost the mining industry approximately $3 million per year from 2013 through 2017. Based on the data analyzed in this study, falls to the lower level pose a higher burden in terms of cost; however, falls to the same level have a higher number of incidents and incidence rate.
International Journal of Industrial Ergonomics, Jul 1, 2019
A large proportion of non-fatal slips, trips, and falls (STFs) at surface mining facilities are a... more A large proportion of non-fatal slips, trips, and falls (STFs) at surface mining facilities are associated with mobile equipment. Ingress and egress from mobile equipment can pose a fall risk to mobile equipment operators. The objective of this study was to determine mobile equipment operators' views of STF risks from mobile equipment, and to ascertain what factors, tasks, and conditions they perceive as contributing to these risks. A thematic analysis of 23 individual interviews and 2 group interviews was conducted, with 10 overarching themes identified from the transcripts. Mobile equipment operators indicated that being unable to see their feet or the ladder rungs during descent and the presence of contaminants on the ladders caused by normal operation make egress more dangerous than ingress. The flexible rails and high heights of the lower rungs identified over 40 years ago as issues for mobile equipment operators still pose a perceived STF risk. Further, the requirements of routine maintenance tasks such as oil and filter changes, greasing, and cleaning windows pose fall risks due to inadequate access and the need to carry supplies up and down equipment ladders. In addition to the mobile equipment, hazardous ground conditions and insufficient lighting were found to be key issues around the mobile equipment and in parking areas. The findings of this work indicate that mobile equipment operators feel at risk for STFs due to the design and condition of their equipment, and would like to see ladders replaced with safer stairways as the primary ingress/egress system.
International Journal of Industrial Ergonomics, May 1, 2018
Slips, trips, and falls from mobile mining equipment have been documented for decades. However, l... more Slips, trips, and falls from mobile mining equipment have been documented for decades. However, little research has been conducted to determine the events precipitating these incidents during ingress or egress. This study examined slips, trips, and falls sustained during ingress or egress from front-end loaders to determine the frequencies of factors that may contribute to injuries. Nonfatal injuries, when getting on or off of front-end wheel loaders specifically, were identified, coded, and analyzed from the Mine Safety and Health Administration's accidents, injuries, and illnesses database. Overall trends, events that precipitated the injury, injuries sustained, contributing factors, location of the individual, and equipment characteristics were analyzed. More incidents occurred during egress (63%); and egress is believed to be more hazardous than ingress. Foot slips were the most common event that precipitated the incident and the leading cause of these was contaminants on the equipment. Misstep, loss of footing, and step on/in related incidents were more common during egress and are likely due to the operator's reduced visibility when descending a ladder facing the equipment, limiting their ability to detect hazards. Egress also makes an operator less capable of avoiding unsafe ground conditions as indicated by the significant number of step on/in injuries occurring on the ground during egress. Most of the frontend loaders associated with the incidents were found to have bottom rungs with flexible rails, which may also increase fall risk during egress due to inconsistent rung heights and lengthy transition areas from the ground, through the flexible-railed rungs, to the rungs with rigid rails. Recommendations are provided to reduce the risk for slips, trips, and falls from mobile mining equipment.
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Papers by Mahiyar Nasarwanji