The submitted abstracts will be used to select speakers for the research symposium to be held in conjunction with the fourth meeting of the National Advisory Committee on Ergonomics (NACE) in January 2004. OSHA decided the additional time would benefit the numerous published researchers who have expressed interest in submitting information. The original deadline for submissions was Nov. 5.
The abstracts should focus on data-driven scientific research concerning the relationship between the workplace and MSDs, such as definitions and diagnoses, cause and work-relatedness, exposure-response relationships, intervention studies, and study design (including research methodology). Abstracts should also state the topic of the paper, research objective, relevant findings and conclusion. Submissions should be no more than 600 words and include significant references.
The symposium, titled "Musculoskeletal and Neurovascular Disorders - The State of Research Regarding Workplace Etiology and Prevention," will give committee members an opportunity to hear new and relevant research data from ergonomics experts. The committee will use proceedings from the symposium to make recommendations to advance OSHA's agenda of reducing the incidence of MSDs in the workplace.
A written and electronic copy or disk of the abstract must be submitted by Dec. 1 to MaryAnn Garrahan, director, Office of Technical Programs and Coordination Activities, OSHA, U.S. Department of Labor, Room N-3655, 200 Constitution Ave., NW, Washington, D.C. 20210. Submissions can be faxed to (202) 693-1444. An abstract template is available at www.osha.gov/SLTC/ergonomics/nat_advis_comm.html.
The next NACE meeting and symposium is scheduled for Jan. 27, 2004, in Washington.