Using Participatory Ergonomics to Improve Health and Safety in Commercial Lobstering in the United States: 2 Case Studies

Details

• Personal Author:
  Buchholz B ; Fulmer S ; Punnett, Laura ; Scott E
• Description:
  The lobster-harvesting industry has a high occupational injury incidence compared to land-based industries. Participatory ergonomics methods were used to partner with lobstermen to develop and implement ergonomic improvements. The model included training in ergonomics principles, a forum for ergonomics discussions, and a sequence of meetings planned to focus on problem identification, intervention, evaluation, and dissemination of findings. One crew initiated 3 specific actions: the introduction of a conveyor belt to assist material handling at a local lobstering pier, the installation of a star block at the space for hauling traps onto the boat, and the initiation of a design process for improved mechanical assistance for hauling traps onto the boat. The other crew took action to reduce force and postural exposures by creating a short video intended to disseminate ergonomic ideas to other lobstermen. The influence of important cultural norms was observed for future research and development in the community. [Description provided by NIOSH]
• Subjects:
  Ergonomics Hunting Musculoskeletal Diseases Musculoskeletal System Occupational Health Safety
• Keywords:
  Author Keywords: Participatory Ergonomics Commercial Fishing Ergonomic Intervention Fisheries Fishing Industry Information Dissemination Intervention Manual Material Handling Manual Materials Handling MSD Musculoskeletal Disorder Musculoskeletal Disorders Posture

  More +
• ISSN:
  1048-2911
• Document Type:
  Text
• Funding:
  Cooperative Agreement
• Genre:
  Journal Article
• Place as Subject:
  Massachusetts ; New York ; OSHA Region 1 ; OSHA Region 2
• CIO:
  National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH)
• Topic:
  Workplace Safety & Health
• Location:
  North America
• Pages in Document:
  132-143
• Volume:
  32
• Issue:
  2
• NIOSHTIC Number:
  nn:20065980
• Citation:
  New Solut 2022 Aug; 32(2):132-143
• Contact Point Address:
  Scott Fulmer, Department of Biomechanical Engineering, University of Massachusetts Lowell, Lowell, MA 01854, USA
• Email:
  scott_fulmer@uml.edu
• Federal Fiscal Year:
  2022
• Performing Organization:
  Mary Imogene Bassett Hospital, Cooperstown, New York
• Peer Reviewed:
  True
• Start Date:
  20010930
• Source Full Name:
  New Solutions: A Journal of Environmental and Occupational Health Policy
• End Date:
  20270831
• Collection(s):
  National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health
• Main Document Checksum:
  urn:sha-512:c3495503e84a86d791ae5922b99e387098f2bd38fa663214bab527b472958f5b5659c6e0aaec815bb76d8cd6936df8b61edacfdb5f6c5ca7c8ac26bcde042dad
• Download URL:
  https://stacks.cdc.gov/view/cdc/209073/cdc_209073_DS1.pdf
• File Type:
  [PDF - 5.06 MB ]