Abstracts – Browse Results
Click on the titles below to expand the information about each abstract.
Viewing 6 results ...
Brizendine, A L (1997) Risk based analysis of levees, Unpublished PhD Thesis, , West Virginia University.
Dutta, A (2020) An in-depth investigation of the effects of work-related factors on the development of knee musculoskeletal disorders among construction roofers, Unpublished PhD Thesis, , West Virginia University.
- Type: Thesis
- Keywords: accuracy; education; health and safety; risk analysis; risk assessment; safety; training; roofer; risk analysis
- ISBN/ISSN:
- URL: https://www.proquest.com/docview/2599130786
- Abstract:
Construction roofers have the uppermost likelihood of developing knee musculoskeletal disorders (MSDs). Roofers spend more than 75% of their total working time being restricted to awkward kneeling postures and repetitive motions in a sloped roof setting. However, the combined effect of knee-straining posture, roof slope and their association to knee MSDs among roofers are still unknown. This dissertation aimed to provide empirical evidence of the effects of two roofing work-related factors namely, roof slope and kneeling working posture, on the development of knee MSDs among construction roofers. These two factors were assessed as potential to increase knee MSD risks in roofing by evaluating the awkward knee rotations and heightened activation of knee postural muscles that might occur in sloped-shingle installation. Moreover, a novel ranking-based ergonomic risk analysis method was developed to identify the riskiest working phase in the slopedshingle installation operation. In addition, a data fusion method was developed for treating multiple incomplete experimental risk related datasets that would affect the accuracy of risk assessments due to human and technology-induced errors during experimental data collection. The findings revealed that roof slope, working posture and their interaction have significant impacts on developing knee MSDs among roofers. Knees are likely to have increased exposure to MSD risks during placing and nailing shingles on sloped roof surfaces. The established data fusion method has been proven feasible in handling up to 40% missing data in MSD risk-related datasets. The contributions lie in enhanced understanding of the physical risk exposures of roofers' knee MSDs and creation of the ranking-based ergonomic analysis method and the fusion method that will help improve the MSD risk assessment in construction. In the long run, these outcomes will help develop new knee joint biomechanical models, effective interventions, and education and training materials that will improve the workplace to promote health and safety of roofers.
Karim, M A (1998) Development of a systems approach to planning, design and operations of intermodal passenger transfer facilities to increase the mobility and safety of older travelers, Unpublished PhD Thesis, , West Virginia University.
Reigle, J A (2000) Development of an integrated project-level pavement management model using risk analysis, Unpublished PhD Thesis, , West Virginia University.
Sun, Z (2000) Reliability-based method for stability of mine entry design and evaluation, Unpublished PhD Thesis, , West Virginia University.
Wright, P H (1989) Key factors for the evaluation of the quality of rural shelter structures, Unpublished PhD Thesis, , West Virginia University.