Research at RMCOEH

RMCOEH Studies

RMCOEH's research programs exist to advance the knowledge needed to promote worker safety and health. Research at RMCOEH includes studies to evaluate

Ergonomic, medical, and psychosocial factors that cause or place workers at increased risk for upper extremity musculoskeletal disorders and low back pain (Upper Extremities and Low Back Pain Studies),

Study Evaluation

Work-related musculoskeletal disorders in home healthcare workers (Upper Extremities and Low Back Pain Studies),
Health risks of long and short haul truckers (Truck Driver Survey),
Adverse health effects of obesity and other risk factors as they impact occupational health and safety, including the general workforce and commercial drivers,
Environmental influences on the health and development of children (National Children's Study Website, Department of Pediatrics NCS Site),
New monitoring methods for measuring diesel particulate concentrations in air within underground mines,
Solubility of various inorganic substances, such as silica, zinc oxide, beryllium, etc., in synthetic lung fluid,
New monitoring methods for rapid determination of metals in air within smelter operations,
Validity of guidelines to keep students with respiratory conditions indoors during poor air quality days,
Potential impact of lead on pregnancy and child health in Pakistan,
Associations of environmental contaminants and endometriosis, and
Occupational risks to Utah firefighters and drug enforcement police officers (PDF of final report).

Additional information about Ergonomic and Safety related research is available on the Ergonomics & Safety research website.

RMCOEH research succeeds due to the generosity of individuals and organizations that agree to participate in studies, the efforts of research staff at RMCOEH and affiliated institutions, and the critical support of federal, state, and local funding sources.

Pilot and Small Projects Research Program

RMCOEH sponsors a Pilot and Small Projects Research Program that is supported by the National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH). Funded projects enhance worksite-based occupational safety and health and build on the NIOSH "National Occupational Research Agenda" (NORA) or NIOSH Research to Practice (r2p).

In 2006, RMCOEH hosted a regional NORA 2 Town Hall Meeting to discuss the occupational safety and health needs for our region and develop the NORA 2 Research Agenda for the next 10 years. The agenda from this meeting summarizes this discussion.

Regional NORA Young/New Investigators Symposium

RMCOEH and the Department of Mechanical Engineering co-sponsor a Regional NORA Young/New Investigators Symposium in the Spring that provides students and new investigators a forum to present NORA-related research in a supportive environment.

Clinical Practice Guidelines

RMCOEH faculty develop state-of-the-art evidence-based medical treatment guidelines for injured workers in partnership with the American College of Occupational and Environmental Medicine (ACOEM).

For additional information, please contact:

Kurt T. Hegmann, MD, MPH
RMCOEH Director
Phone: (801) 581-4800
E-mail: kurt.hegmann@hsc.utah.edu

Matthew Hughes, MD, MPH
RMCOEH Deputy Director
Director of the Pilot and Small Projects Research Program
Phone: (801) 581-4800
E-mail: matthew.hughes@hsc.utah.edu

Individual Program Directors (Contact Information)