Catherine Trask gets funding for research on plug-in vehicle repair safety
Two KTH researchers are receiving a total of more than SEK 10 million from Afa Försäkring for research within the new R&D programme The work environment in the green transition. One of them is Catherine Trask, Senior Lecturer at the Department of Ergonomics at the CBH School. She will investigate how the work environment can be improved for car repairers in the green transition to battery-powered electric vehicles.
Vehicles that you plug-in – that is, battery electric or hybrid vehicles – are becoming more and more popular. More plug-in vehicles means more need to repair and maintain them. But plug-in vehicles present a different set of risks to repair workers and mechanics than conventional combustion engine vehicles. So far, there is very little published research about this.
“This project aims to fill that gap by going out to real worksites, making exposure measurements during repairs, and interviewing repair workers about their practices and any incidents or accidents while fixing plug-in vehicles.” Says Catherine Trask.
What are the key goals of your research in the green transition?
“New technology on its own won’t solve our sustainability challenges unless we have a comprehensive approach to sustainability. This needs to include social sustainability, safe and decent work, and good health for the workers. The ultimate goal of this project is to improve the work environment of auto maintenance workers during the ongoing ‘green transition’ towards plug-in vehicles. Ensuring the safety and well-being of those supporting carbon-reducing technology ensures the long-term feasibility and acceptance of the technology itself. We need to consider the sustainability of the whole system, including the humans in that system.
How do you plan to utilize the funding from the Afa?
“One of the first things will be to hire a Licentiate student to work on the project – this student will get a fascinating set of experiences in an emerging area. Since there is so little published in this area, the scope of the project is rather broad.
We will go into mechanic shops and quantify the degree to which workers exposed to ergonomic, chemical, fire, and electrical hazards. The project will also convene an expert group, and this group will help interpret our findings and help develop recommendations for hazard control strategies and safe work practices. Communicating these recommendations is especially important for hazards which are unique to plug-in vehicles, since most workers won’t be able to transfer the same work practices they use on conventional combustion vehicles.”
Text: Åsa Karsberg