The NIOSH Pacific Northwest Agricultural Safety and Health Center, PNASH, in cooperation with Microstrain, Inc. has developed Virtual Corset, a new research tool for preventing work-related musculoskeletal disorders.

This device allows researchers to continuously collect data on workers’ postural exposures to better understand the relationship between cumulative postural exposures, load patterns, and musculoskeletal disorders. Virtual Corset can operate in two modes: two-dimensional measurements of limb/trunk postures or 360 degree measurements of limb rotation.

The pager-sized unit can be mounted on the upper arms, sternum, or upper back of the individual. With two megabytes of memory, the device can collect data over a whole day or over multiple days, conditions not previously practical.

Originally developed as part of an ongoing agricultural research project, the device should have wide application across the workplace. For more information on the Virtual Corset, contact Pete Johnson at petej@u.washington.edu.