Investigation of Hand-Arm Vibration (HAV) in Railroad Track Workers: Addressing Stakeholder Conflict of Interest

Abstract

first_pagesettingsOrder Article Reprints Open AccessProceeding Paper Investigation of Hand-Arm Vibration (HAV) in Railroad Track Workers: Addressing Stakeholder Conflict of Interest † by Eckardt Johanning 1,*ORCID andPaul Landsbergis 2 1 Center for Family and Community Medicine, Columbia University and Johanning MD PC, New York, NY 10032, USA 2 School of Public Health, State University of New York (SUNY)-Downstate Health Sciences University, Brooklyn, NY 11203, USA * Author to whom correspondence should be addressed. † Presented at the 15th International Conference on Hand-Arm Vibration, Nancy, France, 6–9 June 2023. Proceedings 2023, 86(1), 16; https://doi.org/10.3390/proceedings2023086016 Published: 11 April 2023 (This article belongs to the Proceedings of The 15th International Conference on Hand-Arm Vibration) Downloadkeyboard_arrow_down Versions Notes

Abstract The use of powered hand tools and equipment that exposes track workers to HAV vibration and other biomechanical hazards in the USA was investigated by a research team, following scientific principles and guidelines including protecting confidentiality of study participants. Musculoskeletal symptoms and neuro-musculoskeletal disorders were linked to workplace physical factors, such as HAV, and were reported in peer-reviewed journals. The methodology and results were subsequently challenged by a team of consultants hired by the Association of American Railroads (AAR), which represents major North American railroad corporations. Such an influence appears to challenge the integrity of occupational health research and impede the conduct of such research.