Occupational Health and Safety research focuses on the identification, prevention, and management of work-related injuries and illnesses, as well as general health issues in working populations. A substantial amount of injury, illness and death is attributable to or affected by occupational exposures. The Occupational Health and Safety team primarily studies workplace interventions to prevent injuries and disability. Assessments of health outcomes and workplace physical exposures are important aspects of our work in musculoskeletal disease epidemiology; relevant health outcomes include disease diagnoses as well as disability and functional status measures. We also conduct intervention studies in workplaces to prevent traumatic injuries and chronic musculoskeletal disorders by changing work behaviors, tools, and procedures. In addition to our lab’s work on musculoskeletal disorders, we collaborate with other research groups to study workplace influences on neurodegenerative disorders, and to study smoking behaviors in the workplace.
