Current Projects
Improving the performance of agricultural robots' worker detection systems under adverse light conditions
There is an increased deployment of agricultural robots for labor-intensive tasks. Dr. Fadi Fathallah and his team are currently evaluating the effect of adverse light conditions on the detection performance of standard and advanced HDR cameras, which we anticipate being superior in detecting workers. This will contribute towards the safe large-scale deployment of autonomous robots collaborating with humans in the production and harvest of crops.
Exploring the intersection of Valley Fever, climate, and worker health
Incidence of the fungal disease Valley Fever (coccidioidomycosis) has increased dramatically in California over the past two decades. As Valley Fever results primarily from exposure to dust, outdoor workers are thought to be at higher risk for infection. In collaboration with CDPH, Simon Camponuri and Dr. Ellen Eisen are examining which specific occupations pose the highest infection risk and how this risk may be influenced by climate conditions. Their findings will help inform the design and implementation of infection prevention efforts.
Emerging insights into wildfire smoke
Wildland firefighters and other outdoor workers regularly experience high occupational exposures during the annual fire season. During the past year, Dr. Betsey Noth collaborated with multiple research groups to provide expertise on exposures to wildland fire smoke and polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons. She has an ongoing NIH-funded collaboration on developing exposure metrics to assess the role of wildfire smoke exposure during pregnancy and adverse birth outcomes. She is also collaborating on wildland fire exposures and adult asthma exacerbations in addition to working with the US Forestry Service and Department of the Interior to produce a structured literature review on cancer and wildland firefighter exposures.
Addressing workplace health and safety: wage theft, harassment, and retaliation
In collaboration with Santa Clara County Office of Labor Standards and grassroots community organizations, UC Berkeley's Labor Occupational Health Program (LOHP) and Dr. Sadie Costello are conducting a descriptive study of approximately 300 workers in the retail food sector in Santa Clara County, California. This study is addressing issues around the topics of wage theft, retaliation, harassment, violence in the workplace, and workplace health and safety. This community-based participatory research project will generate data that county and worker advocates can use to document problems and implement solutions.
Associations of COVID-19 related work stressors with psychological distress: racial and ethnic disparities in Californian workers
Dr. OiSaeng Hong (OEHN) helped conduct the first study to examine the associations between COVID-related work stressors with psychological distress among different racial and ethnic groups in California. Findings illustrated that the impact of the pandemic was more pronounced for marginalized populations and emphasized the importance of advancing policies that reduce such disparities. It also served as a reminder of the need for interdisciplinary collaborations for research mentorship and advancing science.
The implementation of passive exoskeletons in construction
Construction workers have one of the highest rates and severity of injuries across all industry sectors. Passive arm and trunk support exoskeletons (EXOs) have been explored as an intervention to prevent overexertion, fatigue, and injuries of the back and shoulders. Dr. Carisa Harris and her team at the HE Lab, through a grant from CPWR and with collaborators at Virginia Tech, have explored the barriers, benefits and usability of EXOs in construction. Testing has occurred in the work simulation lab where workers performed drilling, grinding, and electrical tasks, and maneuvered through a safety obstacle course. The objective of the study is to identify optimal use parameters and contraindications to use to support their safe and effective implementation.