Peter Johnson, Ph.D.
Department of Environmental and Occupational Health Sciences
Adjunct in Industrial and Systems Engineering
E-mail: petej@u.wa...


TITLE:

"Occupational Biomechanics: From Keyboards to Semi-Trucks"


ABSTRACT:

Occupational Biomechanics is a field which combines the biomechanical
principles of the body to the assessment and design of occupational work
activities and tools.  This presentation will focus on how biomechanical
principles have been applied to the design and assessment of computer input
devices and then switch gears (literally and figuratively) and demonstrate
how biomechanical principles can be used to evaluate vehicle seat designs.
Professional vehicle operators are continuously exposed to whole body
vibration which is thought to contribute to degenerative changes in the
spine and lead to chronic back pain.  This talk will show how vehicle and
seat suspension design can play a critical role in reducing a vehicle
operator's exposure to whole body vibration.