Sleep Loss Deadly

According to a 2004 Circadian Technologies report, about 25 percent of night shift workers have Shift Work Sleep Disorder, a mismatch between required sleep-wake schedules and internal circadian clocks.

Night shift work increases injury risk 23 percent and risk grows with consecutive nights worked.

About 1.1 million men sleep less than 4.5 hours a day and about 1.1 million women sleep less than 3.5 hours a day, Birky said.

It’s associated with a six-year mortality rate — “in six years, 15 percent are dead,” he said.

OSHA Convenes First National Strategic Partnership Conference...

"Building Partnerships for a Safer Tomorrow" was the theme of the Occupational Safety and Health Administration's (OSHA) inaugural conference here March 16 and 17 to spotlight successes and best practices of the agency's National Strategic Partnership Program. The conference was held at the U.S. Department of Labor's Frances Perkins Building.

The conference marked the first opportunity for OSHA and its national partners to share ideas, strategies and successes of partnership programs designed to strengthen worker protections throughout the nation.

OSHA staff and conference participants worked to identify common issues, solutions, and ways to leverage resources for continued successful programs. Key discussions centered on partnership management strategies, the use of data collection and analysis to gauge progress, impact on partnerships by both internal and external changes, and sharing of ergonomic best practices.

Truck Drivers Should Grab the Wheel When it Comes to Sleep Management

While the new hours-of-service rules for commercial drivers are "absolutely necessary," they're not enough to fully manage the constant risk of fatigue faced by drivers, according to a sleep expert.

Mark Rosekind, Ph.D., founder, president and chief scientist of Cupertino, Calif.-based Alertness Solutions, a scientific consulting firm that addresses the safety and performance needs of 24-7 operations, says he applauds the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration for making the first significant changes to the hours-of-service rules since 1939. The rules -- which were implemented in January 2004 but currently are under review by the agency -- create a work and rest schedule for commercial truck drivers that is more congruent with a person's biological rhythms and with the latest scientific research on sleep and fatigue, Rosekind says.

Nevertheless, the new rules (which, among other things, increased the minimum required off-duty time for drivers from 8 to 10 hours and decreased the maximum duty time from 15 to 14 hours) are not sufficient to manage the problem of fatigue faced by drivers, he adds.

New RNID site launched today

The leading online resource for anyone interested in deafness, hearing loss and tinnitus is just a click away. After months of focus groups, research and user testing, RNID launched its new website on March 17.

Packed full of new features, and with a fresh, modern look, it is easier to navigate, fully inclusive and has a powerful new search engine to help you find what you're looking for faster.

"Overall it will be a completely new experience for our users, comparable to the best websites out there," says Website Manager Sara Ashton. "People have the same expectations for all websites and charities are not exempt from this."

RNID

Foot switch fever.

Savant Elite USB Foot Switches. $149.00. Cue vision of rows of MegaCorp Inc cubicles containing happy tap dancing workers.

While factory programmed for mouse button emulation, it can be easily reprogrammed on a Windows PC to perform any keyboard action or key combination. Through extensive user testing, proper spacing and orientation of each pedal was determined to maximize comfort and productivity. Furthermore, the outer pedals may be adjusted inward to accommodate smaller feet.

Now that could help mousing with RSI ...

Samsung Develops LCD for Color-Blind

Samsung Electronics has announced that they are developing LCD monitors for prople with dyschromatopsia (color-blindness for the lay-folk). The color correction technology will allow users to control red, green and blue output at 10 levels so that people can set the monitor to adjust the contrast of the colors giving them the most difficulty. Ha Yun-ho, executive directory of Samsung Electronics and a man who seems to not fully understand the concept of colorblindness tells us that the object of the new Magic Vision monitors was "to offer everyone an opportunity to watch images in vivid colors." Or, at the very least, more vibrant shades of brown and green.

Nokia Wireless Keyboard Reviewed (Verdict: Sexy)

Darla Mack has a review of Nokia’s Wireless (Bluetooth) Keyboard, occasionally called the SU-8W. Overall, her impressions are that it’s a sharp unit which obviously cuts (get it?) down your typing time. Pairing the keyboard to your phone initially involves installing software (included in a 32MB memory card installed into the keyboard) and selecting a four-digit number to secure the device. After that, subsequent uses are simple and Darla says the keys are easy to use once you get used to the feel of them. Her only qualms with the device are its lack of a carrying case and a smaller-than-preferred space bar. The keyboard is compatible with Nokia’s 3230, 6260, 6630, 6680 and 7610 phones and includes a fold-out cradle to stand up your phone, for roughly $140.

Perhaps a way to avoid that Blackberry Thumb ...

Supreme Court to Hear Cases on Compensable Time, Inspectors' Liability

The Supreme Court this fall will hear two cases whose outcomes could have far-reaching implications in the environmental health and safety world.

In one case, United States vs. Olson et al., the court will determine if federal safety inspectors are liable for injuries suffered by workers if the inspectors fail to follow agency policies and procedures.

The other EHS case before the Supreme Court this fall will ask the court to decide whether workers should be paid for time spent waiting at and walking to and from safety gear distribution stations.

The Death of a Trackball…

About 9 years ago, I had an unpleasant discovery: I was a prime candidate for ergonomic computing devices. You see, I had been typing for about 4 hours on a standard keyboard... and my right forearm swelled up. It hurt to move, and was basically unuseable. It stayed that way for about two days.

That experience quickly made me a convert for ergonomic devices. Ive used the Microsoft Natural Keyboard, and trackballs ever since. Now picking the keyboard was easy... theres only been one contender up until the past couple of years. Trackballs on the other hand, come in various forms. Most dont work well for me.

By now of course, Im completely hooked on Logitech Trackballs... so Ive decided to try a new model. The Cordless Optical Trackman. It appears to be very similar in functionality and design to my previous model, and since Ive gotten such great returns with my previous purchases, Im sure with a little adjustment... Ill fall in love with the new one too.
Who knew the death of a trackball would become such an important, almost ritualistic event in my life...

Rex-The Talking Bottle

Rex-The Talking Bottle, the product of MedivoxRx Technologies, Inc., is designed to improve patient compliance with their drug regiments:

People with significant health problems are often taking four or more prescription drugs at the same time, each with a different prescribed dosage, quantity or frequency. When a person cannot read or understand the label on a medication bottle, usage mistakes occur. The results of such errors can range from adverse reactions that are simply uncomfortable to untimely death.

The battle over the office thermostat

There's a battle raging in offices all over the country. It's over the thermostat, and where to set it.

New research claims to have found the perfect office temperature, and it just might surprise you.

A recent study showed how temperature can affect workers.

At 77 degrees, people at computer keyboards were productive nearly 100 percent of the time, and they had a 10 percent error rate.

But at 68 degrees they were productive only 54 percent of the time and had a 25 percent error rate.

Warmer was better.

Goldtouch ergonomic suite offers users relief for heavy typing

Manufacturers such as Goldtouch Technologies assert that using ergonomic peripherals for desktop PCs will result in fewer medical claims, more employee uptime and a more comfortable work environment.

For the most part, the Goldtouch suite follows accepted postural and ergonomic guidelines. The components are sold separately, but I recommend buying the whole lineup even if you think you need only one item. It makes little sense to change to an ergonomic keyboard but keep a standard mouse.

Like other ergonomic keyboards, the Goldtouch version splits down the middle where the T, G and B keys meet the Y, H and N keys.

This keeps the user’s wrists from twisting to reach keys as on a straight keyboard, but it differs from most other products in having an adjustable degree of tilt. At the apex of the keyboard is a connection like a ball bearing that rotates the keyboard halves on a circular axis.

Senior-friendly gadgets pose marketing challenge

Lane-drift warnings. Intelligent cruise control. Adjustable pedals. Larger knobs. Swivel seats.

These are just a few of the innovative features reaching the market that could help older drivers stay on the road longer.

But in an industry that seeks to project a youthful image, automakers face a challenge in marketing such senior-friendly and potentially life-saving automotive innovations.

The companies want to appeal to the wealthy and aging baby boom generation without coming off as stodgy to younger car buyers or, for that matter, older consumers who consider themselves youthful.

"The old saying goes, 'You can't sell an old man's car to a young man, but you can sell a young man's car to an old man,'" said Kevin Smith, editorial director of Edmunds.com, a car shopping Web site. "Market forces are real, and manufacturers will follow them."

The companies want to appeal to the wealthy and aging baby boom generation without coming off as stodgy to younger car buyers or, for that matter, older consumers who consider themselves youthful. 'The old saying goes, 'You can't sell an old man's car to a young man, but you can sell a young man's car to an old man,'' said Kevin Smith, editorial director of Edmunds.com, a car shopping Web site. 'Market forces are real, and manufacturers will follow them.' "

IBM Mouse Aids Trembling Hands

IBM said Monday that it has developed a mouse that compensates for the manual tremors that can plague the elderly.

The new mouse treats the hand tremors as noise, and uses algorithms based on image-stabilization systems used in digital cameras. A mouse based on the proprietary IBM technology will be manufactured by English peripheral manufacturer Montrose Secam Ltd., which is selling the mouse for $99, or 75 pounds, plus shipping.

"Tremor conditions can have a devastating effect on people's lives because they make many simple everyday tasks incredibly difficult - everything from holding a drink, to buttoning a shirt," said Catherine Rice of the International Essential Tremor Foundation, in a statement. "Using a computer mouse is well known for being extremely hard for people with tremors so we're delighted to hear that a technology has been developed to address this problem - we anticipate that it will generate a huge interest with sufferers of the condition."

Ergonomics Guidelines Approved For Nursing Homes

The Workers" Compensation Committee at the National Conference of Insurance Legislators (NCOIL) unanimously approved a resolution supporting ergonomics guidelines for nursing homes and encouraging such facilities to use alternative mechanical lifting methods. OSHA suggests that hospitals and similar work environments should find these guidelines useful.

According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, healthcare workers lead the nation in work-related back injuries. 12 out of 100 nurses in hospitals, and 17.3 out of 100 nurses working in nursing homes report work-related injuries, resulting in spiraling costs.

Preventing these kinds of injuries with ergonomics training is critical at a time when the nation"s obesity epidemic means more than half of the U.S. population is overweight. Lifting 200- to 300-pound patients can be a daily occurrence for healthcare workers.

Keeping our eyes on the road

Regulators hope to take focus away from an ever growing number of distractions.

A study by the U.S. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration in 2000 estimated distraction to be the contributing factor in 20 to 50 per cent of all collisions.

The Transport Research Laboratory in Berkshire, England, stated in a 2002 paper that talking on a cellphone impaired a driver's reaction time significantly more than having a blood alcohol level over the legal limit. In the future, MADD might also stand for Mothers Against Digital Dialling.

Peter Burns, chief of ergonomics and crash avoidance at Transport Canada's Road Safety and Motor Vehicle Regulation Directorate, is helping to shape Canada's direction on these issues and, more specifically, what type of dashboard we'll use to get there.

The Alliance of Automobile Manufacturers prefers a guideline of a maximum of 20 seconds to complete a dash task with no more than a two-second glance. This compares with Transport Canada's suggestion of a 10-second completion maximum with a 1.5-second glance limit.

Issues on the minds of industrial hygienists

After polling members, AIHA has identified the top public policy IH issues for 2005-2006:

Permissible Exposure Limits (PELs) — AIHA continues to facilitate a working group of industry and labor professionals striving to reach a consensus on the best way to update the PELs. OSHA shows no interest in doing the heavy lifting: many PELs have not been updated since the 1970s.

Emergency Preparedness and Response — EHS pros play a crucial role in anticipating, detecting, evaluating and controlling risks to emergency responders and communities in the uncertain post-9/11 world.

Safety and Health Programs — AIHA supports efforts to ensure that employers incorporate a written safety and health program into workplace policies, even though OSHA dropped the idea of mandating written programs years ago.

Ergonomics — AIHA remains sold of the need for an ergonomics standard, but in Washington that's a minority view and so the AIHA/OSHA alliance focuses most of its efforts on ergonomics issues.

Hazard Communication/Material Safety Data Sheets (MSDSs) — Global commerce might eventually force a global strategy for hazard communication, and AIHA continues to make an issue of the accuracy (or lack thereof) of MSDSs.

ALL thumbs

D r. Tom Lazoff, a physical medicine and rehabilitation physician with Fort Wayne Orthopedics, is accustomed to treating patients with repetitive motion injuries such as “tennis elbow” or “trigger finger.”

Will there come a time when Lazoff will be seeing cases of “cell phone wrist” or “Xbox thumb”?

If some experts in ergonomics – the science of adapting the work environment to the human body – are to be believed, that day is fast approaching.