Investigation of Hand-Arm Vibration (HAV) in Railroad Track Workers: Addressing Stakeholder Conflict of Interest

: The use of powered hand tools and equipment that exposes track workers to HAV vibration and other biomechanical hazards in the USA was investigated by a research team, following scientiﬁc principles and guidelines including protecting conﬁdentiality of study participants. Musculoskeletal symptoms and neuro-musculoskeletal disorders were linked to workplace physical factors, such as HAV, and were reported in peer-reviewed journals. The methodology and results were subsequently challenged by a team of consultants hired by the Association of American Railroads (AAR), which represents major North American railroad corporations. Such an inﬂuence appears to challenge the integrity of occupational health research and impede the conduct of such research.


Background-Key
• Objective:  to define the risks and impact of injury, illness, and mortality  provide materials to educate members  determine if there are empirical data …to mitigate conditions…through regulatory improvements and labor/management engagement • Method: Time Line -Railroad Corp/AAR consultant approach • 3/4/2020 Matt Thiese, University Utah email: • "I was interested in your publication in JOEM from July investigating the overlap between those two areas of interest and I am writing to see if there is a possibility of obtaining the raw data to conduct additional analyses…" "I am both HIPAA and human subjects research certified." • 3/12/2020 Paul Landsbergis, • « We are still working on the analysis and manuscripts…, unable to share » • Who are « we » and for whom do you work?
• 10/15/2020 M Thiese letter: Timeline continued: • 10/16/2020 M Thiese, University Utah email: "I apologize for not being clear in my earlier email.The "we" are myself, Dr. Kurt Hegmann, George Page and Greg Weames.We were asked by the Association of American Railroads to read your articles and provide our opinion." • 10/20/2020 P Landsbergis email to Thiese: "we referred your request and emails to the BMWED for a reply.This organization owns and controls the data you keep requesting for obvious reasons." • 10/21/2020 Z.C. Voegel, BMWED lawyer reply: • …strangely, your private letter was also copied to various Journal editors.AAR consultants write Letters to the Editors of AJIH, Industrial Health • AAR consultants stated "several concerning scientific limitations.
• "manuscript substantially misleads the readerships" • "The authors report no conflicts of interest."

Finding: 2 HEALTH
AND SAFETY STUDY of MAINTENANCE-OF-WAY RAILROAD WORKERS die younger than the general population more likely to have cancer, lung problems, nerve diseases, early dementia, and significant joint pain.sick and injured MOW face serious financial challenges.Five diseases cost an estimated $2 billion dollars.(From Executive Summary to BMWED, 2/2018) I C H A V 6 / 9 J U N E 2 0 2 3 -N A N C Y -F R A N C E Study • The Brotherhood of Maintenance-of-Way Employes Division (BMWED) funded in 2014 three research teams:

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Self-administered survey • Of 39000 members, 4800 respondents from 48 States, seven Class 1 railroads • BMWED facilitated contact to members, assured full confidentiality • International research study team support • IRB approval: Cook County Hospital (Chicago, Il.) and SUNY Downstate (Brooklyn, NY) • National Institutes of Health (NIH) assurance: Certificate of Confidentiality • Mailing survey (Engl./Spanish),option online completion, results recorded anonymously • Selected worker interviews • Follow-up of non-responder (written and phone) • Survey questions(takes 45-60 minutes to complete):  demographics  use of vehicles, hand or power tools, work exposures,  symptoms, illnesses, and injuries, o Based on Nordic Musculoskeletal Questionnaire (NMQ), o Medical Research Council (MRC), National Survey of Health and Vibration in the UK, o European collaborative study of vibration related health risks (VIBRISKS))  social and economic impact of work-related injuries and illnesses

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Individual funding information (Letter to the Editor of JOEM): This research has been funded in part by the Association for American Railroads.This research has been approved by the Institutional Review Board of the University of Utah.Dr Thiese has received funding from SafeLane Health, Union Pacific Railroad, and a partner-ship between Reed Group and the American College of Occupational and Environmental Medicine, and his institution has received funding from National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health, the Association of American Railroads, Utah State Bar, and a partnership between Abt and the Center for Disease Control and Prevention.Dr Hegmann has received funding from SafeLane Health, Union Pacific Railroad, Burlington Northern Santa Fe Railway, Reed Group, and the American College of Occupational and Environmental Medicine (Practice Guidelines), and his institution has received funding from National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health, the Association of American Railroads, and a partnership between Abt and the Center for Disease Control and Prevention.Mr Page has received funding from the Association of American Railroads and the primary railroads in the United States, including the Union Pacific Railroad and Burlington Northern Santa Fe Railway, to consult on ergonomics matters and provide expert testimony regarding ergo-nomics exposures in the workplace.Mr Weames has received financial compensation from the Association of American Railroads and most all of the primary railroads in the United States and Canada, including Union Pacific, Burlington Northern Santa Fe, Canadian Pacific, Kansas City Southern, CSXT, and Norfolk Southern to consult on ergonomics matters and provide expert testimony regarding ergo-nomics exposures in the workplace.The authors report no conflicts of interest.

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MoW workers frequently reported typical hand-transmitted vibration-related Sx, and appeared to be at risk for neuro-musculoskeletal disorders of the upper extremity