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2011
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| Wednesday 9 March 2011 120 Baker Systems OSU Main Campus map |
Qualitative and
quantitative modeling of risk-related constructs in crop production: A cultural ergonomics approach Tonya Smith-Jackson, PhD Associate Professor Department of Industrial & Systems Engineering Virginia Tech Abstract: Agriculture continues to be one of the most dangerous occupations in the USA, with fatalities each year that exceed all industry sectors except construction and mining. Agriculture, especially crop production, utilizes a highly diverse work force consisting of US citizens and foreign-born workers with either guest visas or no documentation. As such, crop production environments are highly complex and consist of a critical mass of workers with different world views from the “dominant” culture. Cultural differences in risk perception, access to safety information and personal protective technology, and the economics of crop production are key contributors to the risk divide that is prevalent when comparing Latino and non-Latino farm workers. As researchers, we also contribute to the risk divide by using approaches and methods that may not be culturally compatible with the needs of the populations under study. This presentation will focus on the practice of inclusive research methods and, in parallel, will present a field study in which three risk communication designs were tested among a sample of 103 Latino and non-Latino farm workers. The application of culture-based principles to the design of the risk communications demonstrated significant and unexpected results. Data were analyzed using a cultural ergonomics approach, which involved differential validity and reliability analyses, path analysis, content analysis, and the use of influence diagrams. These methods supported equivalent and meaningful comparisons between Latino and non-Latino workers. In addition, the use of compatible methods and data checks will demonstrate the importance of ensuring valid comparisons and equitable benefits are key elements of research design. When the statistical models and influence diagrams were integrated, a more comprehensive picture of risk, culture, and exposures has emerged. Implications of the research approach as well as the design and usability outcomes will be discussed. I will conclude with highlights of the research that is currently underway in the Assessment and Ergonomics (ACE), Safety Engineering, and Human-Computer Interaction Labs in the Grado Department of Industrial and Systems Engineering at Virginia Tech. About the speaker: Dr. Smith-Jackson conducts applied research to elicit, analyze, translate, and apply user- and safety-centered cognitive and cultural capabilities and limitations to the design, development, and evaluation of systems and products. more info about the speaker |
4:00-5:00 pm This event is part of the seminar series of OSUs Department of Integrated Systems Engineering. |
| Wednesday 5 May 2010 120 Baker Systems OSU Main Campus map |
Patrick Dempsey, PhD, CPE Acting Team Leader, Musculoskeletal Disorder Prevention, National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH) Office of Mine Safey and Health Research Pittsburgh |
:00-5:00 pm This event is part of the seminar series of OSU's Department of Integrated Systems Engineering. |
| Wednesday 12 May 2010 120 Baker Systems OSU Main Campus map |
Brian Lowe, PhD Division of Applied Research Technology National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH) Cincinnati |
4:00-5:00 pm This event is part of the seminar series of OSU's Department of Integrated Systems Engineering. |