Sang D. Choi

Sang D. Choi
Title Professor
Office Hyland Hall 3509
Phone (262) 472-1641
Email chois@uww.edu

About

Sang D. Choi, Ph.D., CSP, CPE is Professor & Graduate Program Coordinator in the Department of Occupational & Environmental Safety & Health at the University of Wisconsin - Whitewater. Dr. Choi is Director of the Center for Occupational Safety and Ergonomics Research, and coordinates Graduate & Online Education and Occupational Ergonomics Programs. He teaches graduate and undergraduate courses in construction safety & health, applied and advanced ergonomics, analysis & design for safety in industrial operations, and system safety analysis.

Dr. Choi has produced more than 80 high-quality refereed publications, and is a frequent keynote and session speaker at prestigious national and international conferences. His research and teaching vision/mission is to the "Research to Practice - Bridging the Gap between Academia and the SH&E Practitioner." Dr. Choi is an OSHA-approved outreach instructor for construction and industrial safety. He is a member of American Society of Safety Engineers (ASSE), National Safety Council (NSC), and Human Factors and Ergonomics Society (HFES).

Education

  • Ph.D. Industrial Engineering, 2003, Western Michigan University. Major Field: Occupational Ergonomics and Safety
  • M.S. Industrial Engineering, 1999, Wichita State University
  • B.S. Industrial Engineering, 1996, Kwan-Dong University
  • Authorized OSHA Outreach Instructor for Construction Industry
  • Authorized OSHA Outreach Instructor for General Industry

Courses

Certifications/Licenses

  • Board Certified Safety Professional (CSP), #21433
  • Board Certified Professional Ergonomist (CPE), #1179

Professional Interests

  • Construction safety & health
  • Aging workforce
  • Falls
  • Costs of injury
  • Workplace and workstation analysis & design
  • Work-related musculoskeletal disorders
  • Construction ergonomics

Professional Membership

  • American Society of Safety Engineers (ASSE) – Professional Member
  • Human Factors and Ergonomics Society (HFES) – Full Member
  • Editorial Board Membership:  Journal of Safety, Health and Environmental Research (JSHER)

Work Experience

  • Professor (2011-present). Department of Occupational & Environmental Safety & Health (OESH), University of Wisconsin - Whitewater.
  • Interim Chair (2010 fall). Department of Occupational & Environmental Safety & Health, University of Wisconsin - Whitewater.
  • Visiting Professor (2010 spring). KAIST (Korea Advanced Institute of Science and Technology), Department of Industrial & Systems Engineering, Daejeon, South Korea. Course taught: "IE511 Human Centered Systems Design"
  • Associate Professor (2007). Department of Occupational & Environmental Safety & Health, University of Wisconsin - Whitewater. Early promotion to associate professor with tenure.
  • Assistant Professor (2003). Department of Occupational and Environmental Safety & Health, University of Wisconsin - Whitewater.
  • Doctoral Associate (1999-2003). Department of Industrial and Manufacturing Engineering, Western Michigan University, Michigan.
  • Industrial Engineer (2001). Industrial Engineering Technologies (IET), Inc., Grand Rapids, Michigan.
  • Graduate Research Assistant (1997-1999). Department of Industrial and Manufacturing Engineering, Wichita State University, Kansas.

Awards

  • The Recipient of 2010 COEPS Research Award, The University of Wisconsin-Whitewater, College of Education and Professional Studies (December 2010)
  • Who’s Who in America, Marquis Who’s Who in America (2011 & 2010)
  • The Recipient of the 2009 University-Wide Award for Outstanding Research, The University of Wisconsin-Whitewater, Office of The Chancellor (April 2009)
  • The Recipient of 2008 NSC Research Award, The National Safety Council (NSC), College & University Initiative: Education & Research (September 2008)
  • The Recipient of 2007 NSC Research Award, The National Safety Council (NSC), College and University Initiative: Education and Research (October 2007)
  • The Recipient of 2006 College of Education Research Award, The University of Wisconsin-Whitewater, The Faculty Development & Recognition Committee (December 2006)
  • Making the Business Case for Safety and Health, “A Survey of the Safety Roles and Costs of Injuries in the Roofing Contracting Industry.” Listed & explained by the U.S. Department of Labor’s Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA)
  • The Recipient of 2005 New Horizon Safety Research Award, National Safety Council (NSC), Educational Resources Division (September 2005)
  • The Recipient of 2005 Grant Scholars Award, The University of Wisconsin-Whitewater, The Office of Research and Sponsored Programs (July 2005)
  • The Recipient of 2004 Faculty Development Award, The University of Wisconsin-Whitewater, The Academic Development Committee (January 2004)
  • The Recipient of 2003 University-Wide Graduate Research and Creative Scholar Award, Western Michigan University, The Graduate College (April 2003)
  • The Recipient of 2001Outstanding Work Award, General Motors Saginaw Metal Casting Operations, Saginaw, MI (June 2001)
  • The Recipient of 2000 Appreciation Award, Western Michigan University, The Department of Industrial and Manufacturing Engineering (February 2000)

Selected Publications

  • Hermanson, J., & Choi, S.D. (2012). Study of Musculoskeletal Risks of the Office-Based Surgeries. WORK: A Journal of Prevention, Assessment & Rehabilitation. (IEA 2012 supplement).
  • Choi, S.D., & Woletz, T. (2010). Do Stretching Programs Prevent Work-related Musculoskeletal Disorders? Journal of Safety, Health and Environmental Research, 6(3), 1-8. Feature 2. The American Society of Safety Engineers.
  • Choi, S.D. (2010). Ergonomic Assessment of Musculoskeletal Discomfort of Iron Workers in Highway Construction. WORK: A Journal of Prevention, Assessment & Rehabilitation, 36(1), 47-53.
  • Sa, J., Seo, D.-C., & Choi, S.D. (2009). Comparison of Risk Factors for Falls from Height between Commercial and Residential Roofers. Journal of Safety Research, 40(1), 1-6.
  • Choi, S.D., & Hudson, L. (2009). Preventing Musculoskeletal Injuries in the Construction Industry. In: B.N. Brinkerhoff (Ed.), Ergonomics: Design, Integration and Implementation, pp. 235-244, NY: Nova Science Publishers, Inc.
  • Choi, S.D. (2009). Safety and Ergonomic Considerations for an Aging Workforce in the US Construction Industry. WORK: A Journal of Prevention, Assessment & Rehabilitation, 33(3), 307-315.
  • Taveira, A.D., & Choi, S.D. (2009). Review Study of Computer Input Devices and Older Users. International Journal of Human-Computer Interaction, 25(5), 455-474.
  • Choi, S.D. (2009). Safety and Ergonomic Considerations for an Aging Workforce in the U.S. Construction Industry. WORK: A Journal of Prevention, Assessment & Rehabilitation, 33(3), 307-315.
  • Choi, S.D. (2008). Postural Balance and Adaptations in Transitioning Sloped Surfaces. International Journal of Construction Education and Research, 4(3), 189-199.
  • Choi, S.D. (2008). Managing an Aging Workforce-Initiatives and Measures at Macro Level: Improving Safety of Older Construction Workers in the United States. Proceedings of the XVIII World Congress on Safety and Health at Work, Seoul, Korea. SY10-06.
  • Choi, S.D. (2008). Measuring Safety and Productivity in Construction. Proceedings of the XVIII World Congress on Safety and Health at Work, Seoul, Korea. SC04-02.
  • Choi, S.D. (2008). Musculoskeletal Symptoms of Ironworkers in Highway Construction: Implications for Ergonomic Assessments. Proceedings of the XVIII World Congress on Safety and Health at Work, Seoul, Korea. SC04-06.
  • Choi, S.D. (2008). Investigation of Ergonomic Issues in the Wisconsin Construction Industry. Journal of Safety, Health and Environmental Research, 5(1), 1-19. Feature 4. The American Society of Safety Engineers.
  • Choi, S.D., & Fredericks, T.K. (2008). Surface Slope Effects on Shingling Frequency and Postural Balance in a Simulated Roofing Task. Ergonomics, 51(3), 330-344.
  • Choi, S.D. (2008). Onsite Ergonomics: Ensuring Worker Comfort Could Reduce Injuries, Premiums. In: E Schmidt (Ed.), Midwest Construction, 11(9), pp. 32-33, NY: The McGraw-Hill Companies.
  • Choi, S.D. (2008). Applying Ergonomics in Highway Construction. Construction Safety & Health by Design (pp. 304-316), Construction Safety Council, Hillside, IL, USA.
  • Choi, S.D. (2007). Don’t strain yourself. In: J. Cable (Ed.), Occupational Hazards, 69(1), pp. 36-41, OH: Penton Media, Inc.
  • Choi, S.D., Hudson, L., Kangas, P., Jungen, B., Maple, J., & Bowen, C. (2007). Occupational Ergonomic Issues in Highway Construction Surveyed in Wisconsin, United States. Industrial Health, 45(3), 487-493.
  • Choi, S.D., & Fredericks, T.K. (2007). The Effect of Adjustment Period on Maximum Acceptable Frequency for a Roofing Task. International Journal of Industrial Ergonomics, 37(4), 357-365.
  • Choi, S.D. (2007). Opportunities for Improving Productivity in Roofing Construction. International Journal of Construction Education and Research, 3(1), 67-77.
  • Choi, S.D., Griinke, D., & Lederer, M. (2006). Fall Protection Equipment Effects on Productivity and Safety in Residential Roofing Construction. Journal of Construction Research, 7(1/2), 149-157.
  • Choi, S.D., Kapp, E.A., & Cole, W.M. (2006). Educating Construction Safety Professionals: A Collaborative Model for the 21st Century. Professional Safety, 51(7), 41-45.
  • Choi, S.D. (2006). A Survey of the Safety Roles and Costs of Injuries in the Roofing Contracting Industry. Journal of Safety, Health and Environmental Research, 3(1), 1-20. Feature 1. The American Society of Safety Engineers.
  • Choi, S.D. (2005). Ratings of Perceived Loss of Balance: A Potential Safety Monitoring Technique for Workers Walking/Working on Sloped Surfaces. Journal of Safety, Health and Environmental Research, 2(1), 1-26. Feature 1. The American Society of Safety Engineers.

Selected Presentations

  • Choi, S.D. A Student-Friendly Approach for Teaching Systems Safety. The Academics Forum at the American Society of Safety Engineers (ASSE) Professional Development Conference and Expo. Chicago, IL, USA, June 2011.
  • Choi, S.D. Promoting Health & Safety of Older Construction Workers. The ASA Chicago/CSC Construction Expo & Safety Day 2011, Rosemont, Illinois, USA, March 2011.
  • Choi, S.D. Investigation of Common Construction Materials Weight and Related Manual Lifting Task Observations. Presented at the 17th World Congress on Ergonomics (IEA 2009). Beijing, China, August 2009.
  • Choi, S.D. The Challenges of Training Tomorrows Workforce. Presented at the 67th Annual Wisconsin Safety Council (WSC) Congress & Expo. Wisconsin Dells, Wisconsin, USA, May 2009.
  • Choi, S.D. NIOSH Occupational Safety & Health Workforce Assessment Project. Presented at the Focus Group Teleconference on Westat, Rockville, Maryland, USA, April 2009.
  • Choi, S.D. Promoting Workplace Safety in an Aging Construction Workforce. Presented at the 96th Annual National Safety Council (NSC) Congress & Expo, Anaheim, California, USA, September 2008.
  • Choi, S.D. Managing an Aging Workforce – Initiatives and Measures at Macro Level: Improving Safety of Older Construction Workers in the United States. Presented at the XVIII World Congress on Safety and Health at Work, COEX Convention Center, Seoul, Korea, June 2008.
  • Choi, S.D. Measuring Safety and Productivity in Construction. Presented at the XVIII World Congress on Safety and Health at Work, COEX Convention Center, Seoul, Korea, June 2008.
  • Choi, S.D. Impact of Sloped Surfaces on Postural Balance and Falls. Presented at the XVIII World Congress on Safety and Health at Work, COEX Convention Center, Seoul, Korea, June 2008.
  • Choi, S.D. Improving Safety of Older Workers in Construction. Presented at the 66th Annual Wisconsin Safety Council (WSC) Congress & Expo. Wisconsin Dells, Wisconsin, USA, April 2008.
  • Choi, S.D. Applying Ergonomics in Highway Construction. Presented at the 18th Annual Construction Safety Conference. Rosemont, Illinois, USA, February 2008.
  • Choi, S.D. Safety and Ergonomic Issues Surveyed in the Landscaping Industry. Presented at the 12th Annual International Conference on Industrial Engineering - Theory, Applications and Practice. Cancun, Mexico. November 2007.
  • Choi, S.D. Assessing Postural Stability on Sloped Surfaces: Perceived Loss of Balance Scale. Presented at the 95th Annual National Safety Council (NSC) Congress & Expo. Chicago, Illinois, USA, October 2007.
  • Choi, S.D. Improving Ergonomics in Construction. Presented at the 94th Annual National Safety Council (NSC) Congress & Expo. San Diego, California, USA, November 2006.
  • Choi, S.D. Postural Balance and Sloped Surfaces in Roofing Construction. Presented at the "Safety 2006" American Society of Safety Engineers (ASSE) Professional Development Conference and Expo. Seattle, WA, USA, June 2006.
  • Choi, S.D. Safety and Productivity in Roofing Construction. Presented at the 93rd Annual National Safety Council (NSC) Congress & Expo. Orlando, Florida, USA, September 2005.
  • Choi, S.D. Prediction of Maximum Acceptable Roof Shingling Frequency. Presented at the XIX Annual International Occupational Ergonomics and Safety Conference. Las Vegas, Nevada, USA, June 2005.
  • Choi, S.D. An Investigation of Fall Protection Systems for Improving Productivity and Safety in the Roofing Industry. Presented at the 15th Annual Construction Safety Conference, Rosemont, Illinois, USA, February 2005.