Improving health and safety by environmental and engineering approaches

Robert Spear, Department of Environmental Health Sciences and Director, Center for Occupational and Environmental Health, University of California, Berkeley, CA

The engineering design process involves identifying objectives, translating these objectives into design criteria, and developing and evaluating alternative designs including cost considerations and end-user acceptability. Except for the single inventor, this is generally a team process. When the principal objectives are to decrease the risks of injury or disease in a population, the question is, who organizes and supports the team? While different organizations or institutions have different motives to engage in the development of engineering solutions to health and safety risks, these motivations tend to disappear as size of the target population diminishes.

In an industry as diverse as California agriculture, engineering solutions to health and safety problems will be the exception rather than the rule, not because such solutions are not feasible, but because the return on the design investment is insufficient from the perspective of most sponsors. It is argued that, in agriculture, this is particularly difficult because of the absence of design teams that might work with extension agents or farm advisors in identifying acceptable solutions to health and safety problems. It is probable that these teams can only be organized and operated with public funding.

While colleges and universities are natural homes for such units, the very applied nature of their product is not likely to enhance the research prestige of the institution. A strong case can be made, however, for an academic home for small engineering teams devoted to health and safety protection on the basis of cost and access to both talent and other crucial resources. An even stronger case rests on the proven effectiveness of good designs in contrast with other approaches to health protection and injury prevention.

Presentation not available

UC Davis Health System is pleased to provide this information for general reference purposes only. It should not be considered as a substitute for professional medical advice. You are urged to consult with your health care provider for diagnosis of and treatment for any health-related condition. The information provided herein may not and should not be used for diagnosis and treatment.

Reproduction of material on this web site is hereby granted solely for personal use. No other use of this material is authorized without prior written approval of UC Regents.