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


TITLE:

"Occupational Biomechanics: From Computer Keyboards to Semi-Trucks"


ABSTRACT:

This presentation will focus on how biomechanics is applied in occupational
settings.  The first part of the presentation will focus on how biomechanical
methods are used to evaluate the physical exposures associated with operating
tablets and next generation, ultra-thin notebook computers. The second part
of the presentation will focus on how biomechanical methods are used to
evaluate different seat design for truck drivers.  Currently truck drivers suffer
from low back pain thought to be a result of prolonged exposure to whole
body vibration.  Results will be presented comparing the performance of a
standard air-suspension truck driver's seat to a newly developed active
vibration cancelling seat.