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Browsing by Author "Rosecrance, John C., advisor"

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    Analysis of agriculture injuries using workers' compensation data
    (Colorado State University. Libraries, 2008) Douphrate, David Irvin, author; Rosecrance, John C., advisor
    Background. In the United States, agriculture is among the most hazardous of industries. The lack of information regarding agriculture injuries has been recognized as an obstacle to effective injury prevention efforts. Methods. Three separate but related studies analyzed workers' compensation data to elucidate injury and claimant characteristics associated with agriculture injuries. Specific emphasis was placed on tractor-related and livestock-handling injuries. Results. Results indicated high injury rates among workers employed by dairy farms, cattle/livestock raisers, and cattle dealers. Large proportions of injuries were associated with tractor mounting and dismounting, milking, cattle pinning/sorting, and horseback riding activities. Tractor-related and livestock-handling work injuries are a significant problem, more costly, and result in more time off work than other agriculture injuries. Conclusions. Injury prevention efforts should be directed at livestock-handler education, dairy parlor and livestock-handling facility design, and tractor design characteristics related to tractor mounting and dismounting.
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    Ergonomic exposure assessment: a study of rater reliability, method reliability, and sampling strategy
    (Colorado State University. Libraries, 2010) Dartt, Angela L., author; Rosecrance, John C., advisor; Chen, Peter Y., committee member; Douphrate, David I., committee member; Brazile, William Joseph, committee member; Gilkey, David P., committee member
    Poor characterization of exposures due to inadequately tested ergonomics exposure assessment tools contributes to the skepticism regarding the work-relatedness of musculoskeletal disorders. Due to their ability to capture individual exposures for large populations, observational methods have been commonly used to assess awkward postures in occupational settings. However, use of observation-based methods is complicated due to infrequent assessment of reliability and validity. While direct instrumentation is typically recommended for assessment of awkward postures, application of direct instrumentation in large field studies has been limited. Evaluation of reliability, validity, and sampling strategies are critical for ergonomic exposure assessment tools, particularly for research that attempts to establish a causal relationship between ergonomic risk factors and musculoskeletal outcomes. The results of this dissertation research addressed rater reliability, method reliability, and sampling strategy concerns for a computer-based observation tool and direct measurement devices known as an inclinometer. In general, the results from this dissertation research indicated: observation of postures using a video-based assessment tool demonstrated moderate to high inter- and intra-rater reliability for the majority of anatomical areas and body parts evaluated; comparison of a video-based posture assessment tool and inclinometry demonstrated moderate to high correlation for the majority of anatomical areas and body parts evaluated; and, evaluation of sampling strategies of posture assessment using inclinometry demonstrated that two to four hours of sampling may be sufficient when assessing postures of the upper arms and trunk. This dissertation research provided critical information regarding the need for improved exposure assessment techniques in the field of ergonomics.
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    The role of aging on the cause, type and cost of construction injuries
    (Colorado State University. Libraries, 2011) Schwatka, Natalie V., author; Rosecrance, John C., advisor; Butler, Lesley M., committee member; Stallones, Lorann, committee member
    As older workers continue to delay retirement, understanding the health and safety needs of an aging workforce will be critical over the next twenty years. The goal of the project was to determine the impact of age on workers in the construction industry as age relates to selected workers' compensation variables. Descriptive and multivariate analysis of over one hundred thousand workers' compensation construction industry claims for the state of Colorado was conducted to understand the relationship between the claimant age and workers' compensation costs by the causes and types of injuries and illnesses. The results indicated that the cost of injuries among older workers was greatest for indemnity costs alone, where there was a 3.5% increase in the indemnity cost of a claim for each year increase in age. Workers over the age of 65 were injured most frequently from falls, slips and trips and workers aged 35 to 64 were injured most frequently from strains. Though repetitive motion causes of injuries were not frequent among all age groups, they resulted in a 6.8% increase in the indemnity cost of a claim for each year increase in age. Strains were the most common type of injury for workers over the age of 35 but workers over the age of 65 experienced strains and contusions at similar frequencies. The shift towards an older work force will result in an increase in the proportion of occupational injuries among older workers, which will result in increased costs associated with lost work time and disability. Employers who wish to remain competitive must effectively manage a health and safety program that acknowledges the needs of the aging worker. Encouraging companies to address the specific needs of older workers is the first step in reducing the frequency and cost of occupational injuries related to older age.