August 19, 2015
A team of researchers from the United Kingdom has been awarded the 2015 International Ergonomics Association (IEA) Liberty Mutual Medal. The award recipients are Bob Muffett, Theresa Clarke, Anthony Coplestone, Emma Lowe, John Robinson and Stuart Smith (Ergonomics Team, Network Rail, London, United Kingdom) and John R. Wilson (Human Factors Group, Faculty of Engineering, University of Nottingham and Network Rail, United Kingdom).
The winning paper, “Management of personal safety risk for lever operation in mechanical railway signal boxes” (Applied Ergonomics, Vol. 45, pp. 221-233, 2014) concerns health and safety problems involving human error and organizational failure at a systems and safety management level. The research seeks to understand physical injury risks in the UK rail network resulting from operating lever frame signal boxes. The researchers conducted the study to determine the nature and extent of the problem and to recommend a management strategy for mitigating future risks.
The most prestigious award of its kind in the field of occupational ergonomics and safety, the IEA/Liberty Mutual Medal is awarded to the authors of an original scientific paper that meets criteria for innovation and impact. Presented annually, the award recognizes outstanding original research leading to the reduction of work-related injuries and/or to the advancement of theory, understanding and development of occupational safety research. An international review committee, established by the IEA, selects the winning contribution from among applicants worldwide. The Medal carries a stipend of $10,000. The winners of the 2015 award received the Medal at the 19th Triennial Congress of the IEA, held August 9-14 in Melbourne, Australia.
About Liberty Mutual Research Institute for Safety
Owned and operated by Liberty Mutual Insurance, the Liberty Mutual Research Institute for Safety is an internationally recognized safety and health research facility. Through laboratory and field-based investigations, the Research Institute seeks to advance scientific, business-relevant knowledge in workplace, built environment, driving safety and disability. Research findings, published in the open, peer-reviewed literature, are shared with the worldwide health and safety community and are used to develop recommendations, guidelines and interventions to help reduce injury and disability.
About International Ergonomics Association
The International Ergonomics Association (IEA) is the federation of ergonomics and human factors societies from around the world. The mission of the IEA is to elaborate and advance ergonomics science and practice and to improve the quality of life by expanding its scope of application and contribution to society. For more information on the IEA, please visit www.iea.cc.
Contact: researchinstitute@libertymutual.com
