Daily noise dose and power tool characterization of steel stud framers on commercial construction sites.

The construction industry is well-documented as having numerous sources of hazardous noise on the job. Framers who cut and install steel studs on commercial construction sites use a variety of power tools throughout the course of their normal workday and have the potential to be exposed to levels of noise that can lead to occupational noise-induced hearing loss. This study assessed the noise dose of commercial steel stud framers and characterized the noise of common power tools that contribute to their daily noise dose.

Power saw noise levels during steel stud cutting tasks on commercial construction sites: a tool characterization from a worker exposure standpoint.

Construction framers who cut and install steel studs as part of their daily tasks are exposed to hazardous noise levels during their work shift in large part due to the power saws they use to cut steel studs. This investigation characterized the sound pressure levels of power saws used to cut steel studs on active construction sites. Further, the length of time it took to cut various studs on a construction site was investigated to understand worker exposure times to saw noise.

Using Ecological Momentary Assessment to Examine the Effects of Duty Status on Acute Stress and Tiredness in Firefighters: A Pilot Study.

Objective: Characterize firefighters' acute stress and tiredness by duty status (ie, "off night/day," "on night/day").

Methods: Thirty nine career firefighters completed three, eight-day smartphone-based ecological momentary assessment periods with seven surveys per day assessing stress and tiredness. Mixed-effects location scale models examined duty status effects on stress and tiredness.

Noise characterization of oil and gas operations.

In cooperation with The Colorado Oil and Gas Conservation Commission, researchers at Colorado State University performed area noise monitoring at 23 oil and gas sites throughout Northern Colorado. The goals of this study were to: (1) measure and compare the noise levels for the different phases of oil and gas development sites; (2) evaluate the effectiveness of noise barriers; and (3) determine if noise levels exceeded the Colorado Oil and Gas Conservation Commission noise limits. The four phases of oil and gas development include drilling, hydraulic fracturing, completion and production.

Firefighter noise exposure during training activities and general equipment use.

Multiple noise measurements were taken on 6 types of fire station equipment and 15 types of emergency response vehicle-related equipment used by firefighters during routine and emergency operations at 10 fire stations. Five of the six types of fire station equipment, when measured at a distance of one meter and ear level, emitted noise equal to or greater than 85 dBA, including lawn maintenance equipment, snow blowers, compressors, and emergency alarms. Thirteen of 15 types of equipment located on the fire engines emitted noise levels equal to or greater than 85 dBA, including fans, saws, alarms, and extrication equipment.

Occupational exposures to noise resulting from the workplace use of personal media players at a manufacturing facility.

This study examined the contribution of noise exposures from personal media player (PMP) use in the workplace to overall employee noise exposures at a Colorado manufacturing facility. A total of 24 workers' PMP and background noise exposures were measured. Twelve PMP users worked in high-background-noise exposure (HBNE) areas, and 12 worked in low-background-noise exposure (LBNE) areas.

A long-duration (118-day) backpacking trip (2669 km) normalizes lipids without medication: a case study.

Objective: To evaluate the effects of a long-distance backpacking trip on body composition, weight, blood lipids, and lipoproteins.

Methods: Single-subject (male, aged 49 years) study of an experienced backpacker who hiked 118 days on the Appalachian Trail. Outcome measures that were assessed pre-hike and post-hike included body fat (%) by hydrostatic weighing and skinfold assessment, height and weight, body mass index (BMI), circumference measurements (umbilicus, anterior suprailiac, maximum hip, greater trochanter, minimum waist, umbilicus/anterior suprailiac ratio), and blood pressure (systolic and diastolic at rest and peak).

Cardiorespiratory fitness and the metabolic syndrome in firefighters.

Background: The leading cause of mortality in on-duty firefighters is sudden cardiac death. While the reason for this remains unclear, low cardiorespiratory fitness and the metabolic syndrome have been associated with increased risk of cardiovascular disease-related events.

Aims: To document the levels of cardiorespiratory fitness and the metabolic syndrome, as well as to determine if there is a relationship between these variables, in firefighters.