Master of Environmental Science, Miami University, 2017, Environmental Sciences

Throughout the first ten months as a full-time environmental scientist at Amec Foster Wheeler, an international consulting firm, I have been exposed to a multitude of different projects. From conducting building characterization studies to helping with Hurricane Harvey relief efforts, each experience has allowed me to gain new technical and professional skills. This report provides an in-depth discussion of the regulations and methodology associated with Phase I Environmental Site Assessments, asbestos inspections and abatement oversight, and presence and absence bat surveys. At the end of each chapter, case-studies are provided to illustrate how the regulations and methodology are applied in the field. The Institute for the Environment and Sustainability (IES) Master of Environmental Science (M.En.) program at Miami University was invaluable in preparing me for a career as an environmental consultant, and I will continue to use the knowledge gained from the IES program to build relationships with future clients.

Committee: Sarah Dumyahn Dr. (Advisor); Jonathan Levy Dr. (Committee Member); Catherine Almquist Dr. (Committee Member) Subjects: Environmental Law; Environmental Science; Environmental Studies

Doctor of Philosophy, The Ohio State University, 2006, Industrial and Systems Engineering

The safety of the American workplace has improved dramatically over the past 30 years. This improvement is directly correlated with the adoption and enforcement of OSHA regulations (OSHA, “OSHA Facts”). However, despite the great strides that have been achieved, some industry sectors continue to produce unnecessarily high numbers of serious and preventable injuries. Machine-related injuries are responsible for nearly half of the thousands of amputation injuries that occur each year. Most machine injuries are preventable through known methods that are well documented. For most machines, OSHA provides guarding and operational requirements that are very general and broadly applicable. However, in the case of mechanical power presses the codes are quite specific and intended to address the specific hazards associated with such presses. This study proposes that the OSHA codes related to mechanical power presses are adequate and address most of the guarding concerns, but employers often fail to comply with the codes, apparently out of a lack of understanding of their implementation. It is hypothesized that an effective tool to help guide personnel through the evaluation of press safety hazards will improve the likelihood of an individual in accurately identifying press hazards. Based on the perceived need, a software tool was developed to assist in the hazard identification process. This tool was tested experimentally to determine its effectiveness. The hazard evaluation performance of a software-assisted group of novices was compared with the performances of a peer group and a group of press professionals, both comparison groups using traditional evaluation methods (specifically ANSI B11.TR3). Each of the experimental groups evaluated three different mechnical power presses. The hazards identified by each experimental group were to address the specific requirements of the applicable OSHA codes for guarding of mechanical power presses (29CFR1910.212 and 29CFR1910.217). Th (open full item for complete abstract)

Committee: Gary Maul (Advisor) Subjects:

Master of Music (MM), Bowling Green State University, 2008, Music Education/Comprehensive Music Education

The purpose of this study was to determine high school band directors' soundexposure levels relative to the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) workplace standards. Subjects for this study were four band directors from northwest Ohio and east central Illinois. Two directors regularly rehearsed in non-acoustically treated facilities, and two regularly rehearsed in facilities that have received acoustic treatments. Data were collected in the fall and early spring semesters of the 2007-2008 school year using Larson Davis Spark 706RC Personal Noise Dosimeters, devices used to measure and calculate decibel exposure. Measurement times and ensemble samples varied depending on the subject's schedule. Two dose parameters on the dosimeters were set to correlate to the OSHA (Occupational Safety and Health Administration) standards for permissible exposure limits (PEL) and hearing conservation (HC) limits, and a third to the ACGIH (American Conference of Governmental Industrial Hygienists) threshold limit value (TLV) standard for noise exposure. Results showed that each director experienced decibel levels that would either make them eligible, or very close to eligible, for a hearing conservation program. Implications for music education included that directors should strongly consider wearing musicians' earplugs during rehearsals. Directors should also try to determine their own decibel exposure levels through the use of noise dosimeters or decibel meters to determine their need or eligibility for a hearing conservation program. Suggestions for further research included comparing how well directors hear various aspects of musical ensembles both with and without musicians' earplugs.

Committee: Bruce Moss Ph.D. (Advisor); Vincent Kantorski Ph.D. (Committee Member) Subjects: Fine Arts; Music; Music Education; Occupational Safety