News – Page 15 – Kathryn Woodcock, PhD CCPE ICAE PEng

Happy New Year

Every year, summer winds down and the CNE marks the imminent start of the new school year. Since 2002, the THRILL Lab has spent time during the CNE construction week observing and learning. Some years, we have one or more studies on the go, other times, we are collecting ideas for future studies or designs. We meet new people and reconnect with people we know who have been so generous sharing their expertise. Increasingly, the CNE construction week has been an extracurricular “course” in amusement design and technology. This year, 11 students will participate in parts of the week.

2014 May visit with Rob

KW and Rob at Universal Islands of Adventure

During a little post-exams strategic retreat this Spring, I had the chance to visit and catch a few mid-day rides at Universal Islands of Adventure with alumnus Rob Kipping. Rob is a 2013 TMU (formerly Ryerson) Computer Engineering grad (participant in THRILL Lab CNE field trip 2012) now working as a ride integration engineer, designing and developing industrial electronics used in major theme park attractions, both as a subcontractor for major theme parks and supplier of turnkey attractions for smaller parks. After a busy year based in Orlando, he’s headed for Asia for his next project.

Coming attractions: CNE 2014

The Lab and the Club are looking forward to putting on our hard hats, safety shoes and high-visibility vests and heading to the construction zone at Exhibition Place for the THRILL Lab’s annual experiential learning highlight behind the scenes at the Canadian National Exhibition. During the construction of the fair, students meet operators of the show, North American Midway Entertainment, the CNE, many widely respected consultants, and certified amusement device inspectors from the Technical Standards and Safety Authority (TSSA), a not-for-profit organization that regulates technology relevant to public safety, including amusement devices, throughout Ontario, and the Electrical Safety Authority, their electrical inspection and regulation counterparts.

Inflatable bounces

inflatable bounce with a large number of kids in it — Overcrowded, unsupervised bouncy castle

Inflatable bounces, bouncy castles and inflatable slides are essentially just big balloons that kids love to jump in, on, and off. The very form of inflatables suggests all the fun of trampolining, and all the safety of an airbag.

Industry week, 2014

Students from TMU (formerly Ryerson) at Universal Orlando — Photo by John Riggleman

Reading Week, Winter 2014, Ryerson Thrill Club members followed up the ASTM Committee F24 meetings in Ft. Lauderdale with a road trip to Orlando. Generous industry supporters arranged valuable behind-the-scenes tours and career-relevant tips. We’re so grateful for the commitment to the next generation!

Effects of work to rest schedules on psychosocial factors and movement based injury risk factors during sign language interpretation

Johnson, R., Abdoli-Eramaki, M., Woodcock, K., Fischer, S., 2013. Effects of work to rest schedules on psychosocial factors and movement based injury risk factors during sign language interpretation. Critical Link 7—Global Awakening: Leading Practices. Toronto, 17-21 June.

A cross sectional survey of reported musculoskeletal pain, disorders, work volume and employment situation among sign language interpreters

Fischer, S., Woodcock, K. 2012. A cross sectional survey of reported musculoskeletal pain, disorders, work volume and employment situation among sign language interpreters. International Journal of Industrial Ergonomics 42, 335–340.

Musculoskeletal disorders in sign language interpreters: A systematic review and conceptual model of musculoskeletal disorder development

Fischer, S.L., Marshall, M.M., Woodcock, K., 2012. Musculoskeletal disorders in sign language interpreters: A systematic review and conceptual model of musculoskeletal disorder development. WORK: a journal of prevention, treatment and rehabilitation 42, 173–184.

Impact of an idealized work to rest ratio on workload between novice and expert SLI

Johnson, R., Abdoli, M., Woodcock, K., Fischer, S., 2012 March 16. Impact of an idealized work to rest ratio on workload between novice and expert SLI. Ontario Biomechanics Conference, Barrie ON, 16 March.

Concurrent support for accident investigation involving human error

Woodcock, K., 2012. Concurrent support for accident investigation involving human error. Proceedings of the XXIV Annual International Society for Occupational Ergonomics and Safety, Fort Lauderdale FL. pp. 97-104.