ASSE Foundation Grant to Fund Fatigue Study
Researcher Lora Cavuoto's proposal combines FitBit technology and the big data analytics of Pandora radio to identify and quantify the moment when fatigue sets in for a worker.
The American Society of Safety Engineers Foundation has awarded a three-year, $300,000 grant to a University of Buffalo researcher who plans to develop a sensor-based, real-time assessment system that will allow safety managers to better monitor workplace fatigue, ASSE announced during its Safety 2015 conference in Dallas.
Working with the Foundation Research Committee, ASSE Foundation trustees selected Lora Cavuoto's "Advancing Safety Surveillance using Individualized Sensor Technology" for its widespread applicability and potential to help solve a business problem for a broad range of industries, according to the announcement.
Cavuoto's proposal combines FitBit technology and the big data analytics of Pandora radio to identify and quantify the moment when fatigue sets in for a worker. "Current methods do not account for many personal factors," she said. "Our approach will result in one objective number. Once a worker hits his “too tired” number, he will know it and can use one of our proven interventions."
This is the largest grant given for a research project by the foundation, which is marking its 25th year.
"We are proud to make this significant step, inquiring after new knowledge and investing in the future of our profession, and we look forward to sharing the impact with you as the results come in," ASSE Foundation Chair Alexi Carli said. "Not only will this research add to the knowledge base of our field, it will help create a business case for how to manage fatigue. Our goal is to connect our members to best practices."
For more information, visit www.foundation.asse.org.