Brian C. Grieser, P.E., C.P.S.M., CSP, CPE
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Expert QuestionS & AnswerS
Your work spans human factors, boating, water skiing and other water sports, premises and occupational safety, and time study/work sampling — how do these areas intersect in practice?
These areas all can involve very challenging scientific field testing from collecting electronic data in the wet and dynamic recreational boating environment while performing maneuvers involving accelerations and shocks many times the acceleration of gravity, to assessing the friction of walkway surfaces which is affected by dozens of variables that must be controlled and documented, to discretely measuring human performance without affecting subject behavior to obtain valid naturalistic data.
Have you been involved with all these areas from the beginning of your career?
I started out my career working on multiple U.S. Coast Guard-funded projects that had an objective of improving recreational boating safety and supporting the development of boating standards and regulations. A large portion of these projects involved performing research related to preventing boat occupant falls and other injury causing events while riding and during ingress/egress. The projects involved on-water testing and electronic data collection, which can be extremely challenging.
How did the scope of your work expand outside of boating safety?
I gained a reputation in the 1990s for being able to reliably and efficiently collect a variety of electronic sensor data in the field. I brought my on-water electronic data collection expertise on land which led to substantial work collecting and analyzing biomechanical and ergonomics-related field data such as human force exertion, human vibration and shock, and walkway friction. Later, I helped develop a smart phone app to discretely collect naturalistic human performance data.
What’s the most surprising thing you’ve learned in your analysis of 100s of slips, trip, and fall incidents?
How many variables there are related to their causes. There is much more to an analysis of an incident than just evaluating whether there was a substantial trip hazard or a slippery floor surface present. For example, factors such as conspicuity, human attention, pedestrian gaze, expectancy, footwear, and intrinsic factors also play a key role in contributing to fall incidents.
Do you also perform work outside the context of litigation?
Yes, I have performed independent research and/or have been asked by a variety of entities help address complex safety, human factors, and human performance-related issues such as those related to premises safety (e.g., slip/trip/fall prevention); occupational safety and ergonomics; duration of employee activities (time and motion and work sampling studies); boating, water skiing, and towed water sports safety; human vibration exposure; and athlete injury prevention on basketball courts.
Background
Mr. Brian Grieser holds a bachelor’s degree in Naval Architecture and Marine Engineering and a master’s degree in Industrial and Operations Engineering from the University of Michigan.
Mr. Grieser has extensive experience in conducting evaluations in a wide range of product, occupational, and premises projects involving litigation as well as proactive consulting. His assessments have included walkway slip resistance; recreational boat design; watercraft occupant safety; towed watersports safety; time and motion studies; work sampling; human vibration and acceleration exposure; sound measurement and analysis; and human movement, climbing, and stability analysis.
Mr. Grieser is a member of several professional societies including the Human Factors and Ergonomics Society, ASTM International, the Society of Naval Architects and Marine Engineers, the American Boat and Yacht Council, and USA Water Ski & Wake Sports. Mr. Grieser has authored publications addressing recreational boat design and occupant protection, premises safety and slip resistance assessments, time study, human vibration and shock, hazard analysis, and warnings.
Education and Certifications
- M.S.E. Industrial and Operations Engineering: University of Michigan, Ann Arbor (1997)
- B.S.E. Naval Architecture and Marine Engineering: University of Michigan, Ann Arbor (1994)
- Professional Engineer (P.E.): Michigan License #44387
- Certified Product Safety Manager (CPSM)
- Certified Safety Professional (CSP)
- Certified Professional Ergonomist (CPE)
- Certified XL Tribometrist (CXLT)
Associations and Memberships
- ASTM F13 (Pedestrian/Walkway Safety and Footwear)
- ASTM F15 (Consumer Products)
- ASTM F15.03 (Safety Standards for Bathtubs and Shower Structures)
- ASTM F25 (Ships and Marine Technology)
- ASTM F27 (Snow and Water Sports)
- Human Factors and Ergonomics Society (HFES): Member, Reviewer for Annual Meeting Proceedings
- ASTM International: Member
- Institute of Industrial and Systems Engineers (IISE): Senior Member
- International Code Council (ICC): Member (2002 – 2016)
- Society of Naval Architects and Marine Engineers (SNAME): Associate Member
- American Boat and Yacht Council (ABYC): Member
- USA Water Ski & Wake Sports: Active Member, Level 1 Instructor, Past National Competitor, and Regular Judge
Publications
- Hybart, R. L., Grieser, B., Figueroa, R., and Zendler, J. (2024). Assessing Risk Factors for Ankle and Knee Injury: Comparison of Basketball Court Slip Resistance Measurements from Common Slip Meters. American Society of Biomechanics Annual Meeting. Madison, WI. Aug. 5-8, 2024.
- Shah, R.J. and Grieser, B.C. (2019). Human factors and safety perspectives on the evolving rules for use of dockless e-scooters. Poster presentation at the 10th International Conference on Applied Human Factors and Ergonomics. Washington, D.C. July 26, 2019.
- Grieser, B.C. (2018). Study of Slip/Trip/Fall Hazards at a Midwestern Urban Hospital Campus. Proceedings of the Human Factors and Ergonomics Society 2018 Annual Meeting. Philadelphia, PA. Oct. 1-5, 2018.
- Grieser, B.C. and Frantz, J.P. (2018). Slip Resistance Assessment of Common Shoe Sole Materials on Selected Floor Surfaces. Proceedings of the Human Factors and Ergonomics Society 2018 Annual Meeting. Philadelphia, PA. Oct. 1-5, 2018.
- Grieser, B.C. and Frantz, J.P. (2016). Effects of Paint on Slip Resistance of Concrete and Wood Surfaces. Proceedings of the XXVIIIth Annual Occupational Ergonomics and Safety Conference. Chicago, IL. June 9-10, 2016.
- Grieser, B.C. and Frantz, J.P. (2016). Comparison of Floor Surface Slip Test Results from the English XL and BOT-3000E Tribometers. Proceedings of the XXVIIIth Annual Occupational Ergonomics and Safety Conference. Chicago, IL. June 9-10, 2016.
- Adams, P.S. and Grieser B.C. (2014). Workforce Health and Safety: Prevention Through Design. Water Research Foundation. Denver, Colorado.
- Grieser, B.C. and Fuller, H.J.A. (2013). Lumbar Impact Forces in Seated and Standing Activities of Daily Living. Proceedings of the XXV Annual Occupational Ergonomics and Safety Conference. Atlanta, Georgia. June 6-7, 2013.
- Adams, P.S., Grieser B.C., Mullins, M., and Guo, W. (2012). Methods for Measuring Task Times with Emphasis on Discreet Observations. Proceedings of the XV Annual Applied Ergonomics Conference. Nashville, Tennessee.
- Young, S.L., Shaver, E.F., Grieser, B.C. and Hall, S.M. (2006). Hazard Analysis as Part of the Safety Information Development Process. In Wogalter, M.S. (Ed.), Handbook of Warnings, pp. 431-436, Lawrence Erlbaum Associates, Mahwah, NJ.
- Young, S.L., Rhoades, T.P., Frantz, J.P., Isaacson, J.J., and Grieser, B.C. (2004). Revision of Labeling and Classification for Personal Flotation Devices (PFDs). Prepared for the United States Coast Guard.
- Grieser, B.C., Rhoades, T.P. and Shah, R.J. (2002). Slip Resistance: Field Measurements Using Two Modern Slipmeters, Professional Safety. Des Plaines, IL: American Society of Safety Engineers.
- Grieser, B.C. and Miller, J.M. (1998). Marine Carbon Monoxide Detectors: Technology and Design. (1998). First draft to American Boat & Yacht Council, October.
- Miller, J.M. and Grieser B.C. (1998). Bowrider Backrest Height Variables: An Experimental and Simulation Study, Part II. Occupant Protection Study (Phase 3), NTIS PB99-118101INF.
- Miller, J.M. and Grieser B.C. (1998). Boat Handhold Placement. Occupant Protection Study (Phase 3), NTIS PB99-118101INF.
- Miller, J.M. and Grieser B.C. (1998). Boat Boarding Ladder Placement. Occupant Protection Study (Phase 3), NTIS PB99-118101INF.
- Miller, J.M., Grieser B.C., and Clark, D.R. (1996). Bowrider Backrest Height Variables: An Experimental and Simulation Study. Occupant Protection Study (Phase 2), DOTCG Grant No. 130202, NTIS PB96 195839XSP.
- Miller, J.M., Grieser B.C., and Clark, D.R. (1996). Experimental Determination of Lateral Boat Accelerations during Turns at Bow Seat versus Stern Seat Locations. Occupant Protection Study (Phase 2), DOTCG Grant No. 130202, NTIS PB96 195839XSP.
- Miller, J.M., Grieser B.C., and Clark, D.R. (1996). Analysis of Designs and Principles of Movement Transition Intended for Boat Handholds and Boarding Ladders: Principles and Examples. (1996). Occupant Protection Study (Phase 2), DOTCG Grant No. 130202, NTIS PB96 195839XSP.
- Miller, J.M., Main, B.W., Iqball, C.S., and Grieser B.C. (1994). Occupant Protection in Recreational Boating. Occupant Protection Study (Phase 1), Final Report to American Boat and Yacht Council.