MSHI in Regard to NIOSH
Based on the available evidence, MSHI does not appear to be a defined term or parameter within NIOSH (National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health) occupational safety guidelines or lifting equations.
What the Evidence Shows
The provided evidence extensively covers NIOSH's work in several key areas:
NIOSH Lifting Equation Parameters
The NIOSH lifting equation, revised in 1991, uses specific parameters to calculate Recommended Weight Limits (RWL), but none are abbreviated as "MSHI" 1. The actual parameters include:
- Frequency of lifting - how often lifts occur per shift 1
- Asymmetry - degree of twisting during the lift 2
- Duration - length of the work shift (up to 8 hours per day) 1
- Horizontal distance - how far the object is held from the body 1
- Vertical location - height of the object relative to the floor 1
NIOSH Work Schedule Research
NIOSH has conducted research on shift work and scheduling, including studies examining shift starting times and their effects on worker fatigue and alertness 3. However, no "Maximum Shift Interval Hours" terminology appears in this context.
Other NIOSH Programs
The evidence describes various NIOSH initiatives including:
- Total Worker Health™ Program - integrating occupational safety with health promotion 4
- Worker Well-Being Questionnaire - measuring comprehensive worker wellness 5
- Fatigue risk management - addressing working hours, sleep, and fatigue 6
Clinical Interpretation
If you encountered "MSHI" in a specific occupational health context, it may be:
- A facility-specific or industry-specific abbreviation not standardized by NIOSH
- A misremembered or incorrectly cited acronym
- Part of a non-NIOSH occupational safety framework
The most relevant NIOSH concept related to shift duration is the 8-hour workday assumption used in the lifting equation calculations, which represents the maximum duration for which the Recommended Weight Limits are considered safe 1.