Dr. Richard Sesek

Research

Research focus: Occupational Safety and Health with particular emphasis on ergonomics and human factors engineering. Research is conducted in both the laboratory and in the field. The OSE/IP program has several well equipped research labs:

Human Factors and Engineering Psychology Lab
Biomechanics and Work Physiology Lab
Gait and Workplace Simulation Lab

Current Research Projects:

Investigation of Anthropometric Factors related to Low Back Pain
Ergonomic Survey Tool Development
Investigation of Eye Movement Patterns While Evaluating Safety Referent Symbols
Development and Dissemination of Occupational Safety and Health Solutions
Workplace Injury Surveillance

Research Funding:

“Occupational Injury Prevention Research and Training”, NIOSH Education and Research Center (ERC), Sesek Principal Investigator, Jerry Davis Co-PI (2009-2010, $90,455) funded by the National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH).
“Occupational Safety and Ergonomics Program”, NIOSH Education and Research Center (ERC), Jerry Davis Principal Investigator, Sesek Co-PI (2009-2010, $229,018) funded by the National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH).
“Ergonomics and Safety Research and Training”, Kurt Hegmann, PI, Don Bloswick, Program Director, Sesek, Investigator. (7/1/08-6/30/09, $182,524), (7/1/07-6/30/08, $182,444),(7/1/06-6/30/07, $136,920), (7/1/05-6/30/06, $136,920), (7/1/04-6/30/05, $136,920), (7/1/03-6/30/04, $149,260), (7/1/02-6/30/03, $146,348), (7/1/01-6/30/02, $93,586.), (7/1/00-6/30/01, $83,468), (7/1/99-6/30/00, $83,468), funded by the National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH).
“Occupational Injury Prevention Research and Training”, Kurt Hegmann, PI, Don Bloswick, Program Director, Sesek, Investigator. (7/1/08-6/30/09, $88,000), (7/1/07-6/30/08, $88,000), (7/1/06-6/30/07, $81,000), (7/1/05-6/30/06, $81,000), (7/1/04-6/30/05, $50,000), (7/1/03-6/30/04, $140,600), (7/1/02-6/30/03, $146,700), (7/1/01-6/30/02, $147,700), funded by the National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH).
“The Effect of Personal Characteristics on Self-Reported Work-Related DUE Symptoms,” Phill Drinkaus, PI, Richard Sesek, Co-PI. (10/1/07-6/1/08, $12,391) funded by the National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH).
“UAW-Ford EST/ESP Validation and Reliablity,” Phill Drinkaus, PI, Richard Sesek, Co-PI. (2/15/07-8/15/07, $24,672) funded by the UAW-Ford Joint Committee for Health and Safety.
“Safety and Health Program Assistance: Martin Door Manufacturing,” Principal Investigator. (9/1/06- 8/31/07, $3,582) funded by Martin Door Manufacturing.
“Collaborative Program for the Identification and Prevention of Work-Related Musculoskeletal Disorders”, Kurt Hegmann, PI, Don Bloswick, Co-PI, , Sesek Investigator. (10/1/03-9/30/06, $483,703), funded by the National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH).
“Upper Limb Musculoskeletal Disorders: Quantifying Risk”, Kurt Hegmann, PI, Don Bloswick, Co-PI, Sesek, Investigator. (10/1/02-9/30/06, $800,730), funded by the National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH).
“Documentation of Physical Workplace Stresses in Gas Industry Operations”, Don Bloswick, PI, Rich Sesek, Co-PI. (6/1/04-6/1/06, $69,968) funded by the Gas Technology Institute.
“Exploring the Effectiveness of Safety Case-Cutters”, Principal Investigator (7/1/03-6/30/04, $16,048) funded by the National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH).
“Comparing OWAS Evaluation of Auto Manufacturing Job Tasks to Known Health Outcomes” , David Gilkey, PI, Rich Sesek, Co-PI. (7/1/03-6/30/04. $15,930) funded by the National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH).
“Detection of Silica in Aluminum Alloy Machining Dust”, Principal Investigator. (7/1/03-6/30/04. $3,330) funded by the National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH).
“A Comparison of Aluminum-Silicate Particulate Exposure With and Without Cutting Fluids”, Principal Investigator. (7/1/02-6/30/03, $18,314) funded by the National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH).
“ASSE Professional Development Course”, Principal Investigator. (5/02, $5,045), University of Utah Teaching Grant.
“Wrist Flexion to Identify Carpal Tunnel Syndrome”, Don Bloswick, PI, Sesek Co-PI. (9/30/01-8/31/02, $10,000), Neuroscience Research Institute.
“Development of an Ergonomic Screening Tool for Multi-Task Jobs”, Principal Investigator. (7/1/01-6/30/02, $14,784), funded by National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH).
“Investigation of Sensory Deficits Resulting from Finger Loading”, Principal Investigator. (7/1/00-6/30/01, $11,533), funded by National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH).
“Evaluation and Refinement of Ergonomic Survey Tools to Evaluate Worker Risk of Cumulative Trauma Disorders”, Don Bloswick, PI, Sesek Co-PI. (4/00-5/01, $59,000), funded by the UAW-Ford National Joint Committee for Health and Safety.
“Study of Fatal Work Injuries Involving Respirators”, Anthony Suruda, PI, Sesek Co-PI, (1/28/00-1/28/01. $5,000), funded by the University of Utah Department of Family and Preventive Medicine Health Studies Award.
“Research on Young Worker Safety and Health Risks in Construction”, Anthony Suruda, PI, Sesek Investigator. (9/30/99-9/29/01, $250,466), funded by CDC/NIOSH.
“Evaluation and Quantification of Manual Material Handling Risk Factors”, Principal Investigator, (7/1/98-6/30/99, $14,300), funded by the National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH).
“Development of Ergonomic Analysis Survey Tool”, Don Bloswick, PI, Sesek Dissertation, (4/1/98-12/30/00, $245,432), funded by Ford Motor Company.