@article{mirka_monroe_nay_lipscomb_kelaher_2003, title={Ergonomic interventions for the reduction of low back stress in framing carpenters in the home building industry}, volume={31}, ISSN={["0169-8141"]}, DOI={10.1016/S0169-8141(03)00025-8}, abstractNote={Framing carpenters in the residential sector of the construction industry have exposure to many of the documented risk factors for low back disorders. On-site exposure data were collected from a sample of residential framing carpentry subcontractors and these were summarized using the continuous assessment of back stress (CABS) methodology. From these analyses those tasks placing the greatest stress on the low back were identified and prototype interventions were developed that reduced exposures to the specific risk factors. These prototypes were then evaluated in the field and their effects on the low back stress and productivity were quantified. The results of this analysis for three of these prototypes (a pneumatic wall lift, an extension handle for a pneumatic nail gun and a vertical lumber handling system) are presented in this paper. The pneumatic wall lift reduced peak spine compression by 63% and had mixed effects on productivity depending on the characteristics of the wall being erected. The extension handle for the pneumatic nail gun had a marked decrease in the average spine compression (73%) and also had mixed effects on the productivity depending on the characteristics of the support structures under the subflooring. The vertical lumber handling system created significant reductions in both the peak (70%) and average (32%) spine compression forces as well as a significant improvement in productivity (increase of up to 77%). Several of these interventions had positive effects in other body regions (primarily shoulder loading) but these were not quantified in the rigorous way that the low back stress was evaluated. Finally, subjective assessments by the workers varied across the interventions and were heavily weighted by their effects on productivity. Engineering controls are the most effective methods for controlling work-related musculoskeletal disorders. This study evaluates the effectiveness of a set of engineering controls for the prevention of back injury/illness in framing carpenters.}, number={6}, journal={INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF INDUSTRIAL ERGONOMICS}, author={Mirka, GA and Monroe, M and Nay, T and Lipscomb, H and Kelaher, D}, year={2003}, month={Jun}, pages={397–409} }
 @article{kelaher_nay_lawrence_lamar_sommerich_2001, title={An investigation of the effects of touchpad location within a notebook computer}, volume={32}, ISSN={["1872-9126"]}, DOI={10.1016/S0003-6870(00)00020-X}, abstractNote={This study evaluated effects of the location of a notebook computer's integrated touchpad, complimenting previous work in the area of desktop mouse location effects. Most often integrated touchpads are located in the computer's wrist rest, and centered on the keyboard. This study characterized effects of this bottom center location and four alternatives (top center, top right, right side, and bottom right) upon upper extremity posture, discomfort, preference, and performance. Touchpad location was found to significantly impact each of those measures. The top center location was particularly poor, in that it elicited more ulnar deviation, more shoulder flexion, more discomfort, and perceptions of performance impedance. In general, the bottom center, bottom right, and right side locations fared better, though subjects' wrists were more extended in the bottom locations. Suggestions for notebook computer design are provided.}, number={1}, journal={APPLIED ERGONOMICS}, author={Kelaher, D and Nay, T and Lawrence, B and Lamar, S and Sommerich, CM}, year={2001}, month={Feb}, pages={101–110} }
 @article{mirka_kelaher_nay_lawrence_2000, title={Continuous assessment of back stress (CABS): A new method to quantify low-back stress in jobs with variable biomechanical demands}, volume={42}, ISSN={["0018-7208"]}, DOI={10.1518/001872000779656525}, abstractNote={ Jobs with a high degree of variability in manual materials handling requirements expose limitations in current low-back injury risk assessment tools and emphasize the need for a probabilistic representation of the biomechanical stress in order to quantify both acute and cumulative trauma risk. We developed a hybrid assessment methodology that employs established assessment tools and then represents their evaluations in a way that emphasizes the distributions of biomechanical stress. Construction work activities in the home building industry were evaluated because of the high degree of variability in the manual material handling requirements. Each task was evaluated using the Revised NIOSH Lifting Equation, The University of Michigan Three- Dimensional Static Strength Prediction Program™, and the Ohio State University Lumbar Motion Monitor Model. The output from each model was presented as time-weighted histograms of low-back stress, and the assessments were compared. The results showed considerable differences in what were considered high-risk activities, indicating that these 3 assessment tools consider the risk of low-back injury from different perspectives. The time-weighted distribution aspect of this methodology also contributed vital information toward the identification of high-risk activities. These results illustrate the necessity for more advanced low-back injury risk assessment techniques for jobs with highly variable manual materials handling requirements. }, number={2}, journal={HUMAN FACTORS}, author={Mirka, GA and Kelaher, DP and Nay, DT and Lawrence, BM}, year={2000}, pages={209–225} }
 @article{kelaher_mirka_dudziak_2000, title={Effects of semi-rigid arch-support orthotics: an investigation with potential ergonomic implications}, volume={31}, ISSN={["0003-6870"]}, DOI={10.1016/S0003-6870(00)00018-1}, abstractNote={For many years, arch-support orthotics have been prescribed for individuals with discomfort and/or abnormal skeletal alignments in the structures of the lower extremity. Recently there has been an increased interest in promoting semi-rigid orthotics as an ergonomic aid for asymptomatic workers who must stand all day at their workplace. A laboratory study was performed to assess the biomechanical impact of prefabricated semi-rigid orthotics on asymptomatic individuals. Ten subjects wore semi-rigid arch-support orthotics (experimental condition) for two months and flexible polyurethane/Sorbothane ® shoe inserts (control condition) for two months. Throughout this 18-week testing period, the subjects returned to the lab to perform a battery of assessment tests at regularly scheduled intervals. These tests examined subject strength, standing posture, stability, fatigue effects, and body part discomfort. The results of this study showed no significant changes in the strength, posture, or stability as a function of insert type. The subjects reported a reduction in low-back discomfort along with an increase in foot discomfort during a fatiguing exertion task while wearing the semi-rigid orthotics as compared to the control condition.}, number={5}, journal={APPLIED ERGONOMICS}, author={Kelaher, D and Mirka, GA and Dudziak, KQ}, year={2000}, month={Oct}, pages={515–522} }
 @article{mirka_kelaher_baker_harrison_davis_1997, title={Selective activation of the external oblique musculature during axial torque production}, volume={12}, number={3}, journal={Clinical Biomechanics (Bristol, Avon)}, author={Mirka, G. A. and Kelaher, D. P. and Baker, A. and Harrison, A. and Davis, J. R.}, year={1997}, pages={172–180} }