Title: The Impact of Firefighter Turnout Gear and Fatigue-Inducing Tasks
on Physiological Changes and Work Performance- A Multidisciplinary Analysis

Award: $11,736

Project Abstract:

The long-term objective of this research is to enhance firefighter safety and operational efficiency by identifying key physiological stressors associated with turnout gear usage. This study aims to inform the design of improved protective gear and the development of evidence-based training protocols to optimize firefighter performance and reduce injury risks.

Firefighter turnout gear provides essential protection; however, its prolonged use can increase physiological strain and hinder work performance. High-intensity tasks performed while wearing turnout gear, which features substantial weight (up to 88 lbs), high thermal insulation, and a multi-layer fire-resistant structure, can lead to rapid increases in core temperature, induce muscular fatigue, and further complicate complex task execution. The physiological changes and work performance alterations that occur while working in turnout gear, as well as the physiological factors that most significantly impact performance, remain unclear.
Therefore, the purpose of this study is to evaluate the impact of firefighter turnout gear usage on physiological changes and work performance following a fatigue-inducing protocol.

Fifteen firefighters will perform a 30-minute fatigue-inducing air consumption drill while wearing turnout gear. VO₂, core temperature, muscular strength/power, spatial and temporal gait parameters, and balance and cognition (reaction time, processing speed) will be measured at four time points: before the drill without gear (baseline), before the drill with gear, immediately after the drill with gear, and 60 minutes post-drill with gear. Data will be analyzed using appropriate statistical methods to assess physiological and performance changes across time points.
We hypothesize that the fatigue-inducing protocol will lead to physiological changes that negatively impact work performance. This study will provide critical insights not only for the development of more advanced turnout gear but also for determining which training components should be prioritized to help firefighters maintain sustained work performance.

Final Report:

Email Address: ckim23@ua.edu

Title: Pesticide Removal from Water by Dually Absorptive-Photocatalytic
PLA/TiO2 Nanocomposites

Award: $9,996.98

Project Abstract:

Pesticides are vital for maintaining crop production and preventing huge yield losses due to pest infestation. Total pesticide usage has dramatically increased in recent decades, and potable water sources are increasingly contaminated by pesticides, which is difficult for conventional water treatments to accommodate. Several health concerns from pesticide exposure have been reported. Among the vulnerable populations, pesticide exposure is a serious occupational hazard for those working in agricultural. Their persistent bioaccumulation allows them to be transported in the environment, contaminating areas beyond their point source. Still, traditional water treatments for pesticide removal are limited by formation of unwanted by-products, high costs, and low efficiencies.

Adsorption and photocatalytic degradation of pesticides offers ease of operation, high removal efficiency, strong redox ability, and improved durability versus traditional sorbents. Polymeric nanocomposites are hybrid materials with organic and inorganic components desirable for adsorptive photo-induced removal of pollutants in water and show promise in addressing the current challenges due to their synergistically integrated optical, mechanical, and chemical properties. Titanium dioxide (TiO2) is a prevailing nanofiller being a low-cost, nontoxic, and photoreactive semiconductor. As a host matrix, poly-(D,L-lactic acid) (PLA) is a biodegradable, naturally sourced, and biocompatible polyester suited to supporting TiO2. PLA/TiO2 composites with an adsorbent polymer matrix and photocatalytic TiO2 nanofiller are attractive hybrid adsorptive-photocatalytic materials for removing pesticides from water. We previously developed PLA/TiO2 nanocomposite nanocomposites and demonstrated TiO2 crystallization in situ from an alkoxide precursor within the supporting PLA under mild synthesis conditions. The PLA/TiO2 composites achieved 90% pollutant removal efficiency. Herein, the proposed research explores the application of dually absorptive-photocatalytic PLA/TiO2 nanocomposite microsponges for the remediation of water from various classes of toxic pesticides (MCPA,paraquat,parathion). The ability to recover, regenerate, and reuse these hybrid materials makes them a highly attractive and practical option for the proposed purpose and will be explored.

Final Report:

Email Address: slnealy@uab.edu

Title: Evaluations of Core Body Temperature (CBT) and Vascular Health
Effects from Heat Exposure

Award: $10,000

Project Abstract:

Ground maintenance occupation in the US is continuously growing, and most workers in the South are frequently exposed to heat during the regular grounds maintenance job outdoors. However, there are no standardized methods to assess individual level of heat strain. Heat-related illnesses can occur when core body temperature (CBT) exceeds the healthy range (37±1 ℃), indicating CBT can be a potential index of personal heat stress. This study aims to assess heat stress through a wearable CBT monitor and its potential effects on peripheral vascular health to help prevent heat-related illnesses and injuries in the workplace.

Final Report:

Email Address: syang2@uab.edu

Title: Plasma Corona Processed Thermoregulating Scalable Textiles for
Workers’ Safety

Award: $10,000

Project Abstract:

A rapid increase in atmospheric temperature has been reported in recent years worldwide. The lack
of proper aid to protect from exposure to the sun during working hours raised the number of
sunburn cases among workers. It is important to promote productive workplaces without
compromising safety and health concerns. In the present proposal, we plan to utilize the lowtemperature plasma (LTP) assisted tailoring of the surface properties of fabrics to reflect the IR
radiation from the sun. The LTP technique can be adapted for thermally sensitive materials such as
fabrics and textiles due to its lower working temperature . We plan to modify various substrates
such as commercially available fabric, regular, and boron nitride incorporated electrospun PET
surfaces with tetra ethoxy orthosilicate (TEOS) plasma. TEOS plasma treatment can deposit
reactive plasma polymerized silane nanolayer on the surface of these substrates. The plasmaprocessed silane nanolayer will be systematically characterized using Scanning Electron
Microscopy (SEM), X-ray Photoelectron Spectroscopy (XPS), Keyence 3D-microscopic imaging,
and Transmission Electron Microscopy (TEM). From the SEM and TEM data, the size of
nanoparticles . We have extenisve experience in Electrospinning of polymer fabric. To fabricate
the textile in scalable form, in this project, we plan to utilize AC electrospinning technique in Aim
1. Truspin, Brimingham based Industry has agreed to train the trainee as part of the existing
collaboration. In Aim 2 , we will compare the thermo-protective properties of various nanoparticles
and identify a the best best textile design in terms of safey. In real-life applications, it would be
better to make double-layered clothing where the modified surfaces are in contact with each other
and the regular surface with the user’s body.

Final Report:

Email Address: tsamuel@uab.edu

Title: Chemical Characterization of Wildfire Smoke Exposures in US
Wildland Firefighters

Award: $10,000

Project Abstract:

About 69,000 wildfires per year are reported in the United States. In addition, prescribed
burns, as a method to control excessive vegetative material for the prevention of large fires, have
increased significantly for an average of 9.4 million acres burned in the last 5 years. These fire events
expose the general population to hazardous pollutants from wildfire smoke (WS); however, wildland
firefighters (WFFs) are believed to be one of the more susceptible groups due to their chronic
occupational exposure to WS. PM2.5 is a solid-phase component of wildfire smoke that is chemically
formed by carbonaceous species such as black carbon (BC) and organic carbon (OC), inorganic
elements, volatile organic compounds (VOCs), polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) and many
more. Some of these compounds and elements have been associated with cardiovascular, respiratory
and neurological diseases. Given their health relevance, it is important to characterize the chemical
composition of WS at which WFFs are exposed to. There are limited studies of the chemical
characterization of WS from personal exposure samples in WFFs. Therefore, the present study aims
to expand the knowledge about the chemical constituents from personal exposure samples in
Southeast US’ WFFs and estimate the potential risks based on the chemicals identified. This proposal
is tied to an ongoing NIOSH funded R01 project that assessesthe exposures, effects, and biomonitoring
of wildfire smoke in wildland firefighters and plans to complement their findings by conducting a
chemical characterization in new and archived PM2.5 personal exposure samples from WFFs.

Final Report:

Email Address: erick.mollinedo@uga.edu

Title: Assessment of Energy and Hydration Demands of Farmworkers in
Mississippi

Award: $10,000

Project Abstract:

Due to the high temperatures and humidity levels during Mississippi summers, monitoring
hydration and energy needs is essential for the safety of outdoor laborers. The risk of heat related
illness is high specifically within the agricultural population and warrants further attention to
mitigate heat related illness, injuries, and fatalities. This study proposes to (i): investigate total
energy expenditure (TEE) and water turnover rates and (ii) assess levels of hydration and heat
acclimation in agricultural workers during the summer months. Specific aims from objective (i)
will involve the doubly labeled water (DLW) technique: utilization of stable isotopes to
determine TEE (MJ·d-1) and water turnover (L·d-1) over the course of four days of work in the
heat. Specific aims from objective (ii) will involve implementing standard protocols to assess
sweat rate and sweat sodium level and a repeated measures design to evaluate urine specific
gravity (USG) over the course of a single workday. Twenty-four agricultural workers
(female=12) employed in Mississippi will be recruited for this study with the approval of their
employer, 6 (female=3) of these participants will be chosen to complete objective (i) following
completion of objective (ii). All values will be reported as means ± SD. Non-parametric tests
will be used to evaluate differences in TEE and water turnover between males and females. A
repeated measures analysis of variance (RM-ANOVA) will be used to assess changes in USG
over time and a multivariate ANOVA will be used to assess gender differences in sweat rate,
sweat sodium level, and USG. Findings from this study will help in identifying energy and
hydration requirements of these workers, as well as give an indication of their level of risk for
heat related illnesses. These metrics can be used to further improve the safety and health of
occupational workers in the deep south.

Final Report:

Email Address: mlh1149@msstate.edu

Title: The Impact of Core Body Temperature Modulation Through Glabrous
Skin Cooling for Heat Exhaustion Prevention in the Workplace

Award: $19,007.64

Project Abstract:

Heat stress poses significant risks for manual labor workers. The Bureau of Labor Statistics reports
33,890 heat-related workplace injuries and over 400 fatalities from 2011–2020, underscoring the
need for heat mitigation strategies within the workplace. This project aims to enhance occupational
safety by investigating palmar cooling as an innovative heat mitigation strategy to reduce thermal
strain during manual material handling (MMH) in hot environments. By leveraging thermoregulatory
principles and the unique vascular structures of glabrous skin, we hypothesize palmar cooling will
accelerate core body temperature reduction post-MMH and will therefore, improve performance and
lower heat-related illness risk. Unlike impractical methods like cold-water immersion, palmar cooling
offers a feasible, minimally invasive solution targeting the extremities. Specific aims include: (1)
assessing palmar cooling’s effectiveness in reducing thermal strain via core temperature and heart
rate measurements, and (2) evaluating its impact on performance and recovery through subjective
ratings of perceived exertion (RPE) and soreness in healthy young adults. Our preliminary data
illustrated a significant reduction in soreness (p = .049) for individuals utilizing palmar cooling
following exertional activity. However, due to funding limitations we were unable to assess the effects
of palmar cooling on core body temperature. For the proposed study, 20 participants will perform
simulated MMH tasks outdoors, randomized into intervention (palmar cooling) and placebo groups.
The participants core temperature, heart rate, RPE, and soreness will be measured. If effective, this
strategy could transform heat illness prevention in the workplace, aligning with NORA goals. 

Final Report:

Email Address: jbdaniels@umc.edu

Click on the PPRT recipient names below for information on the awardee and to view their final report.

Title: Assessment of the Menstrual Cycle on Upper Extremity Function among Female Workers

Award: $9,509

Project Abstract:

In 2021, the women’s labor force participation rate was 56.2% (BLS, 2023). When considering
the area of healthcare practitioners and technical workers, this demographic accounts for 75.9%
of those employed. The healthcare practitioner and technical worker demographic consisted of
83,250 workers and healthcare support workers consisted of 39,500 workers in Mississippi
alone. Specifically, 8 in 10 workers in the healthcare occupations were women. Work-related
musculoskeletal disorders (MSDs) are a significant concern among hospital workers. Although
women make up a significant portion of the workforce, they are often overlooked regarding
injury prevention and reduction efforts. Although a prominent portion of the working population is
made up of females, the available literature targeting reductions in workplace injuries with an
emphasis on the female worker is sparse.
Unique to the female “occupational athlete” is the menstrual cycle. The menstrual cycle has a
significant influence on female physiology and functional capacity metrics.
The female healthcare participants will be enrolled in the study for the course of three menstrual
cycles. Each cycle will consist of three visits, one visit during each phase of the cycle. Menstrual
cycle phase confirmation will occur via salivary analyses and urinary analyses to confirm
ovulation. The Noraxon human factors and ergonomics Assessment and the Proteus Motion
assessment will be used to assess musculoskeletal functional capacities over the typical
menstrual cycle, while the RightEye and Noraxon balance systems will assess neurocognitive
performance during the same periods. The findings of the proposed study could facilitate
improvements in the approaches taken to mitigate injury risk among the female “occupational
athlete” mitigating the health care costs associated with MSDs.

Final Report: Armstrong PPRT Report.pdf

Email Address: Karmstr3@go.olemiss.edu 

Title: Feasibility and Acceptability of Stop the Bleed® Training Among Truck Drivers

Award: $20,000

Project Abstract:

In 2021, nearly 90,000 Americans died due to unintentional injury, with roughly 25,000 deaths due to motor
vehicle crashes (MVCs). Commercial truck drivers comprise a workforce of roughly 2.2 million in the U.S and
experience high rates of workplace injury and fatalities, many involving MVCs. Large trucks are involved in
roughly 9% of fatal MVCs, yet they account for <5% of registered vehicles. For those critically injured,
uncontrolled bleeding is the primary preventable cause of death and is responsible for 55% of trauma-related
deaths, as complete blood loss can occur in less than 5 minutes. As truck drivers experience high levels of
occupational risk and people injured in MVCs are at high risk of preventable death due to uncontrolled
bleeding, opportunity exists to reduce mortality by promoting early intervention. Evidence supports the
effectiveness of Stop the Bleed® training in improving bleeding control skill acquisition among lay learners,
increasing individuals’ willingness to help those injured, and enhancing trainee confidence to provide bleeding
control aid. However, implementation of Stop the Bleed® training has not been explored in occupational
settings, specifically commercial trucking. The ultimate goal of our research is to reduce mortality due to
uncontrolled bleeding through facilitating widespread dissemination of bleeding control training. The purpose of
this study is to assess current response to injury and the feasibility and acceptability of providing bleeding
control training to commercial truck drivers. We will visit three major commercial truck stops to recruit a
convenience sample of 60 truck drivers from commercial truck sites. Participants will interact with the research
team and bleeding control training materials, and provide feedback on the feasibility and acceptability of
receiving Stop the Bleed® training. Findings will be used to inform large-scale studies on effective methods for
widespread dissemination of Stop the Bleed® training and determine its impact.

Final Report:

Email Address: arjones3@uab.edu

Title: Plasma surface engineered ACF mats for effective aerosol-mediated heavy metal remediation

Award: $9,509

Project Abstract:

Final Report:

Email Address: VTHOMAS@UAB.EDU

Title: The Effectiveness of Back-Support Exoskeletons in Reducing Muscle Fatigue

Award: 15,000

Project Abstract:

Occupational low back pain is a major contributor to disability and lost workdays in industrialized
settings. The development and adoption of back-support exoskeletons (BSEs) hold significant
potential for reducing the risk of occupational work-related musculoskeletal disorders. However,
most current literature on BSEs is focused on the short-term effects of BSE use in simple and
brief task simulations. There is a research gap in understanding BSE’s effectiveness in increasing
endurance time and mitigating muscle fatigue. There is also a relatively limited understanding of
how users adapt to BSE use over time, in terms of changes in task performance strategies and
physical demands. Hence, current evaluations of exoskeleton efficacy may not be predictive of
the extent to which BSEs effectively alleviate the cumulative strain on the musculoskeletal system,
which is essential for injury prevention. Considering these research gaps, our specific aims are to
(i) determine how endurance time is affected by the use of back-support exoskeletons, and
(ii) compare the rate of development of muscle fatigue and adaptations in trunk kinematics
during prolonged repetitive lifting/lowering performed until exhaustion, when using back-support                                                                                                                                                                              exoskeletons (as compared to control no-exoskeleton conditions). A repeated-measures mixed-methods                                                                                                                                                                                    study is proposed, where participants will complete repetitive lifting/lowering tasks in the sagittal plane,                                                                                                                                                                             between waist and ground level, until exhaustion, in acontrol condition (no-exoskeleton), when using a rigid, powered BSE, and when using a soft,
passive textile-based BSE. The trend of fatigue development will be quantified by tracking
changes in primary (trunk) and secondary (hip/knee) muscle activity, joint kinematics, and users’
overall subjective experience. Outcomes from this study will provide a deeper understanding of
whether BSEs can be effective in mitigating fatigue. The detailed data on motor control strategies
and subjective assessments of exoskeleton effectiveness and design features will be broadly
disseminated to guide future design and optimization of exoskeletons.

Final Report:

Email Address: Sriniv5@clemson.edu

Title: Comparison of Health, Fitness, and Performance Markers Between Recruit and Career Firefighters

Award: $9,942

Project Abstract:

Individuals who pursue firefighting will undoubtedly be exposed to high intensity and high stress situations.
From this exposure comes increased risks for hypertension and sudden cardiac death. Health and fitness
factors that can act as protective measures against these outcomes and promote performance have been
thoroughly researched in incumbent firefighters. However, as age increases, physical fitness status declines,
putting firefighters at increased risk for disease and lowering their occupational performance. There has
been a plethora of research on incumbent firefighters and their health and physical fitness status, as well as
their hormonal and physiological responses to the stressors of their job. However, there is a deficit of the
same type of research investigating generally healthier and more fit firefighter recruits. The purpose of this
study is to assess differences in health and fitness between incumbent and recruit firefighters, and how those
health and fitness markers correlate to performance on a standardized occupational task. This study also
seeks to compare the physiological and hormonal responses to a standardized occupational task between
incumbents and recruits. To assess health and fitness, participants will come to our laboratory twice to
complete a series of health and fitness tests. On a third visit, participants will complete a standardized
occupational task while wearing heart rate monitors. Pre- and post-task blood will be analyzed for blood
chemistry, cortisol, and testosterone responses. An α level of 0.05 will be used to determine statistical
significance. Independent samples t-tests will be used to compare health and fitness markers, and
performance on the occupational task. R-to-z transformations will be used to compare correlations with task
performance. Repeated measures ANOVAs will be used to compare hormonal responses. It is hypothesized
that incumbent firefighters will have reduced health and fitness markers, but lower stress responses to the
occupational task, when compared with recruits.

Final Project: A. LeMense 2024 Pilot Project Final Report.pdf

Email Address: atlemense@crimson.ua.edu

Title: Air Pollution in the Operating Room: Protecting Surgeons and Staff from Potential Inhalation Toxicants from Surgical Smoke

Award: $20,000

Project Abstract:

Surgeons and staff working in operating rooms face a unique occupational exposure from surgical procedures:
surgical smoke. Surgical smoke is the byproduct of heat-generating devices being used on tissue during
surgery. From electrocautery devices to lasers and ultrasonic devices to drills, these devices are critical to
surgical safety and effectiveness, however, the high heat applied to tissues during these procedures result in
the generation of potential inhalation toxicants that may be harmful to the staff in the operating room when
inhaled in significant amounts. Smoke evacuators can be used to minimize exposures, however, not all
hospitals have effective evacuators, placing those who do not use evacuators at potentially higher risk of being
exposed to harmful chemicals and health risks. This project intends to measure particulate matter (PM) and
volatile organic compound (VOC) levels, including the elemental components of the PM inhaled, to
characterize the exposures and compare levels in the presence and absence of smoke evacuators. We will
quantify and analyze air pollutants in the operating room in a total of 20 surgical cases in two hospital systems
in Birmingham, AL – The University of Alabama at Birmingham Hospital and the Birmingham Veterans Affairs
Medical Center. Both real-time and gravimetric analysis methods will be utilized to evaluate particulate matter
concentrations in the operating room in two locations – closest to the operating site and further away, and X-Ray                                                                                                                                                  Fluorescence analysis to determine the elemental composition of PM in surgical smoke. A hand-held total
VOC monitor will be used simultaneously to evaluate VOC concentration variations. Findings from this study
will help improve our understanding of the occupational exposures healthcare staff experience in surgical
rooms, and importantly, for health systems to strategically deploy interventions to protect staff from surgical
smoke and help introduce methods to reduce this occupational exposure

Final Report: UAB DSC Pilot Grant Vilcassim Final Report 2025.pdf

Email Address: ruzmyn@uab.edu

Click on the PPRT recipient names below for information on the awardee and to view their final report.

Title: Comparison between WBGT app prototype and WBT monitor to assess heat stress risk in groundskeeping in an eastern North Carolina university setting

Award: $9,999

Project Abstract:

The Wet bulb globe temperature (WBGT) index is the preferred environmental heat
metric for heat-related illness prevention in the workplace and is typically measured using a heat
stress monitor. However, WBGT data may not always be easily accessible for worksite heat
stress evaluation due to several factors. The OSHA-NIOSH mobile app was recently found to be
inaccurate. Professors from East Carolina University recently developed a web app prototype to
calculate the current and forecasted WBGT, but it has not been tested for accuracy. This study
aims to assess the reliability of this WBGT app prototype in providing accurate heat stress risk
information for university-based groundskeeping workers in eastern North Carolina. WBGT
indices will be datalogged at two on-campus monitoring sites using heat stress monitors from
March-September 2023 and assigned to risk levels by workload based on the ACGIH Threshold
Limit Values. Hourly WBGT risk levels from both the heat stress monitor (WBGTins) and app
(WBGTapp) will be time-matched and analyzed using cross-tabulation. If found to be reliable,
the app may be used by supervisors and managers responsible for the heat safety of outdoor
workers to alert them in a timely manner about taking preventive measures to reduce risk of HRI

Final Report: PPRT 2023 Final Report – Bridget Angol.pdf

 Email Address: ora@ecu.edu

Title: Multi-Level Analysis of Resilience Safety Climate of Large Construction Companies: Evidence from Heavy and Civil Engineering Construction Sector

Award: $20,000

Project Abstract: An urgent issue in the US construction industry is the safety plateau, i.e., the fatality rate of construction workers in the
past decade has been stable (~9.5 per 100, 000 workers). To overcome the safety plateau, new approaches are needed.
Resilience Safety Climate (RSC) is a promising new approach for continuous improvement of construction safety
performance. It refers to shared perceptions of construction professionals toward their organization’s as well as their own
abilities to monitor and respond to external changes, to learn from the changes, and to anticipate future incidents.
However, there is a lack of research on RSC. A few existing studies on RSC in the construction field either focused on
company/site level or site/worker level, and no studies have systematically examined all three levels, i.e., company, site,
and worker level. In addition, discrepancies in safety perceptions across organization levels are expected, considering
different roles and responsibilities of people across the hierarchy of organizational structures. However, the existing
studies on safety climate discrepancies across organizational levels were mainly focused on construction companies/sites
of other countries, such as Colombia, while little evidence has been collected from US. To fill the above research gaps,
the goal of this proposal is to measure RSC of large construction companies (no. of employees >=500) that focus on heavy
and civil engineering construction. Survey data from three organizational levels (~50 company level management, ~100
site management, and ~300 individual workers) will be collected. Perception discrepancies in RSC between the three
groups within one LRCC, and the relationships between discrepancies in RSC across organizational levels and workers’
safety incident frequency will be investigated. Results from this project will contribute to identifying workplace dynamics
and beliefs that lead to safety decisions and help design organizational interventions properly customized to the structure
and nature of the construction industry.

Final Report:

 Email Address: ychen106@uncc.edu

Title: Accuracy of a Wearable Device for Core Body Temperature Monitoring

Award: $20,000

Project Abstract: 

Final Report:Final report- J. Oh

 Email Address: jonghwa@uab.edu

Title: Occupational Burns among Restaurant Workers in Jefferson County, AL: Prevalence, Risk Factors, and
Prevention

Award: $9,500

PROJECT ABSTRACT:
The primary goal of this project is to explore the epidemiology of occupational burns among restaurant workers
in Jefferson County, AL. Occupational burns are a significant workplace hazard that can have severe physical,
emotional, and financial consequences, with restaurant workers being particularly vulnerable due to their
frequent exposure to hot surfaces, liquids, and flames.1 Despite studies conducted in other parts of the United
States, there is a scarcity of knowledge about the prevalence and risk factors of occupational burns among
restaurant workers in Jefferson County, AL, and the broader southeast US. This pilot study aims to fill this
knowledge gap by examining the prevalence of occupational burns among restaurant workers in Jefferson
County, AL, and associated risk factors. Research in other regions suggests a high incidence of occupational
burns among fast-food workers,2,3 highlighting the need for investigation in the southeast region, where there is
a documented concentration of fast-food establishments.4,5,6 This study will develop a survey instrument to
collect data on the prevalence of occupational burns and related individual, occupational, and community-level
factors. The survey will be distributed to a convenience sample of restaurant workers in Jefferson County, AL,
to capture a comprehensive understanding of this injury. Using multivariable logistic regression, the study will
identify individual, occupational, and community-level risk factors associated with occupational burns among
restaurant workers in Jefferson County, AL. The results will provide valuable information to develop targeted
interventions that prevent and reduce this injury, as well as policies and regulations aimed at safeguarding
restaurant workers from occupational burns. By addressing the gaps in our knowledge and providing valuable
insights into the incidence and risk factors of occupational burns, this research will help prevent this workplace
injury among restaurant workers. This will result in a safer work environment, improved employee health, and
reduced healthcare costs

E-mail Address: nfp@uab.edu

Click on the PPRT recipient names below for information on the awardee and to view their final report.

Evaluating the Physiological Effects of Inclined Carrying

DAli_FinalReport_PPRT2021

Authors: Duha Ali, Mark Schall

Learning Objective:

Physiological and psychophysical assessment while performing one-handed carrying

Duha Ali is a doctoral student and Graduate Research Assistant in the Department of Industrial and Systems Engineering in the Samuel Ginn College of Engineering at Auburn University. She earned her master’s degree in Industrial and Systems Engineering and a graduate certificate in occupational, safety and ergonomics from the same university. As a research assistant in ergonomics, Duha has been involved in several research projects in occupational safety and ergonomics. Her primary role in these projects was to assist with the data collection, recruitment and consenting of participants, training of graduate and undergraduate students on the different devices, assistance with data analysis, interpretation, and dissemination of the results. Duha has an extensive experience in project management. Prior to her enrollment to Auburn University, she worked as a project officer on many projects for two international organizations.

Measuring the Impact of Secondary Stressors on Patient Outcomes through Simulation

DSC ERC FINAL REPORT MCallihan 2022

Learning Objectives:

1. Understand the influence of secondary stressors on nursing performance
2. Describe a complex simulation that provides a learning environment for the functioning nurse
3. Discuss the patient outcomes relative to the secondary stressors placed on the nurse

Measuring nitrogen dioxide concentrations in homes with biomass cookstoves compared to homes with liquefied petroleum gas stoves in Guatemala, Peru, and Rwanda as part of the multi-country HAPIN study.

1. Provide a brief overview of my contribution to the Household Air Pollution Intervention Network (HAPIN) trial, with a focus on my field research in Guatemala and my dissertation projects.
2. Share an update on the Nitrogen Dioxide project that occurred in Guatemala, Peru, and Rwanda as part of the HAPIN study.

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Effect of Exoskeleton and Temperature Level on Construction Worker Fatigue

Learning Objectives:

1. Provide an assessment of the ability of wearable robots to prevent WMSDs that impact body parts and WMSDs risk factors
2. Assess the impact of exoskeleton on muscle activation during drilling operations, in room and hot temperatures
3. Assess the impact of exoskeleton on perceived exertion during drilling operations, in room and hot temperatures

Biography:

Chukwuma (Chuma) Nnaji is an Assistant Professor in the Department of Civil, Construction, and Environmental Engineering at The University of Alabama, Tuscaloosa. Dr. Nnaji holds a BS degree in Building from Imo State University, an MBA from Oregon State University’s College of Business and an MS and Ph.D. degree in Civil Engineering from Oregon State University. His research focus is on generating foundational insight on human behavior, as well as formulating strategies and developing decision support tools that enhance construction safety and health, human-machine interactions, construction automation, sustainable construction, workforce development in different construction environments. Dr. Chuma is a member of American Society of Civil Engineers (ASCE), American Society of Safety Professionals (ASSP), National Society of Black Engineers, and the Precast Concrete Institute.

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Development of a Fit-Matching Tool for Safety Eyewear: Fit Examinations

Learning Objectives:

1. Learn about the issue(s) with personal protective equipment (PPE) especially for eye protection
2. Discuss in innovative control measure to resolve the fit issue of protective eyewear

Novel IR reflective coating onto textile fabrics for heat protection

Learning Objectives

– Use of low temperature plasma processing (LTP) for the development of IR reflective coating.
– Nano particle tailored substrate surface for IR reflective labor coats to ensure productive workplaces without compromising the safety and health concerns.
– Systematic characterization of the fabricated IR reflective nano layer for ensuring its efficiency and durability.

Biography:

I am pursuing my Ph.D. in Materials Engineering under the guidance of Dr. Vinoy Thomas, Associate Professor, Materials Science and Engineering Department, UAB. I have finished my master’s degree in Chemistry from University of Kerala, India, as well as in Materials Engineering from University of Alabama at Birmingham, USA. My work is focusing on Environmental pollution such as heavy metals, VOC, etc., its effects on human health, and its remediation.

Click on the PPRT recipient names below for information on the awardee and to view their final report.

Effect of Work-to-Rest Cycles on Cardiovascular Drift and Maximal Oxygen Uptake During Heat Stress 

Anne M. Mulholland, Hillary A. Yoder, Jonathan E. Wingo

Learning Objectives:

1. To determine the effect of work-to-rest ratios on cardiovascular strain, indexed as cardiovascular drift
2. To determine the effect of work-to-rest ratios on work capacity

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Anne is a graduate student in the Department of Kinesiology at The University of Alabama. Her research interests include cardiovascular and environmental physiology, specifically related to cardiovascular responses during physical activity in the heat. She graduated in August 2020 with her master’s degree in exercise physiology, and this pilot project served as her master’s thesis.

E-mail: ammulholland@crimson.ua.edu

Physiological Responses to Heat Stress in Groundskeepers

Learning Objectives:

1. Characterize heat stress and strain experienced by groundskeepers
2. Evaluate hydration practices of groundskeepers
3. Evaluate kidney function of groundskeepers

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E-mail: hayoder@crimson.ua.edu

Fabrication and Evaluation of Sustainable Fibers for Volatile Organic Content

Authors: Hanxiao Huang, Derrick Dean

Learning Objective:

1. The fabrication of Cellulose Acetate (CA) based scaffolds
2. The effectiveness of nanodiamond in the VOC adsorption

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E-mail: hhuang@alasu.edu

Forced treadmill running reduces systemic inflammation yet worsens upper limb discomfort in a rat model of work-related musculoskeletal disorders 

Authors:  Tianqi Gao Smith, Ann E. Barr-Gillespie, David Klyne, Michelle Y. Harris, Mamta Amin, Ryan W. Paul, Geneva E. Cruz, Huaqing Zhao, Sean Gallagher, Mary F. Barbe

Learning Objectives:

1. To introduce a novel rat model to study musculoskeletal injury and recovery
2. To discuss musculoskeletal injury and recovery mechanism during cyclic loading

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Tianqi Gao Smith is Senior Health Services Analyst at Mayo Clinic’s Robert D. and Patricia E. Kern Center for the Science of Health Care Delivery in Rochester, MN. Prior to Mayo, she was Assistant Professor of System Science and Industrial Engineering at State University of New York at Binghamton. She acquired her PhD in Industrial and Systems Engineering with foci in Occupational Safety and Ergonomics, and Occupational Injury Prevention from Auburn University under the advisement of Dr. Sean Gallagher. This PPRT study served as a significant part of her dissertation.

E-mail:  tenchigao@gmail.com