Peter W. Johnson, PhD, MS
About
Peter Johnson, PhD, is Professor Emeritus in the UW Department of Environmental & Occupational Health Sciences exposure sciences program and conducts ergonomics-related research. He earned his Doctorate in Bioengineering from the University of California, Berkeley, and has worked as a researcher at the National Institutes of Occupational Health in the United States, Sweden and Denmark. Dr. Johnson and his lab are internationally recognized for their work evaluating seating alternatives to reduce vehicle operator exposures to whole body vibration. Currently, in cooperation with Oregon State University and Oregon Health Sciences University, his lab is conducting studies to evaluate ways to reduce whole-body vibration exposures in the semi-truck, bus and mining industries. Dr. Johnson is head of delegation on the American National Standards Institute’s Whole Body Vibration Committee; an American delegate on the International Standards Organization (ISO); the convener overseeing development and refinement of the ISO 2631-1 Whole Body Vibration standard; and a member of Logitech's Scientific Advisory Board. In addition, Dr. Johnson has worked with Amazon, Microsoft, Hewlett-Packard and Logitech assisting with the design, evaluation and introduction of smart phones, tablets, notebook computers, keyboards and mice, and with Steelcase on the design and introduction of ergonomic office furniture.
Education
- PhD, University of California (Berkeley)
- MS, University of California (Berkeley)
Mentorship
Not available to mentor new PhD and Master's students in autumn 2020.
DEOHS Students Mentored
Comparison of vibration measurement accuracy between a low cost, portable inertial measurement unit system and a gold-standard accelerometer system
Benjamin Pierson | MPH | 2019 | View
Characterization of whole body vibration exposures in neonatal ground transport
Dawn Marie Ryan | PhD | 2018 | View
Cost-Effectiveness of Driver Seat Alternatives for King County Metro Buses
Katherine J. Gregersen | MPH | 2015 | View
Analysis of an Intervention to Reduce Truck Drivers' Exposure to Whole Body Vibration
Thomas Louwers | MPH | 2016 | View
Evaluating Whole Body Vibration and Standing Balance Among Truck Drivers
Molly Halverson | MS Thesis | 2013 | View
Research
Interests: Ergonomics. Bioengineering. Whole body vibration. Computer-related disorders. Developing hardware and software technologies for assessing exposures to physical risk factors. Carpal Tunnel Syndrome. Occupational biomechanics. Office hazards. Repetitive motion disorders. Vibration exposure.
Projects
1. Systematic Evaluation of Multi-Axial Suspension to Reduce Whole Body Vibration Exposures in Mining Vehicle Operators
Working with Dr. Jay Kim at Oregon State University. The goal of this project is use whole body vibration (WBV) exposures collected from mining equipment in a lab setting to evaluate seat suspension designs and determine if any inflammation biomarkers can be measured in blood as a result of exposure to WBV. Funding: Alpha Foundation
2. Truck Drivers and Vibration-Damping Seats: An Evaluation of Technology Choices
Working with Dr. Ryan Olson at Oregon Health Sciences University (OHSU), the goal of this project is to evaluate engineering (enhanced mattresses and truck seats) and behavioral controls for truck drivers’ sleep, safety, and health.. Funding: NIOSH Total Worker Health Program
3. Evaluating Emerging Computer Input Device Technologies
Evaluating the physical impacts, performance and subjective preferences of emerging computer input device technologies such as smart phones, tablets, touch interfaces, input devices and keyboards. Also evaluating the design requirements to make stature proportional computer input devices for smaller statured users such as children and women. Funding: Industry
4. Evaluating Whole Body Vibration, Health, Safety and Comfort in Commercial and Passenger Vehicles
Evaluating the health, safety and economic impacts and/or the performance and subjective preferences of seats in commercial and passenger vehicles. Funding: Industry
Publications
Selected publications
- Whole-body vibration and back pain-related work absence among heavy equipment vehicle mining operators.
- A feasibility study comparing objective and subjective field-based physical exposure measurements during apple harvesting with ladders and mobile platforms.
- Optimising sampling strategies: components of low-back EMG variability in five heavy industries.