Kids walking to, from school are healthier

If you interpolate, sedate office workers might want to start their day with some exercise which will stimulate more exercise during the day. This may lead to better overall health ...

"Children who walk to school have higher overall daily physical activity levels compared with those who travel by car, bus or train, a British study says.

A study appearing this week in the online edition of the British Medical Journal suggests the findings are important for promoting healthy school and transport strategies.

Reasons for increased physical activity may include differences in appreciation of activity. And walking in the morning may stimulate further activity and social facilitation, researchers suggest.

The study concludes that understanding the differences might enhance health-promoting school and transportation strategies."   continued ...   (Via PhysOrg)

Exercise leads to more exercise.

Long work hours: more injuries, illnesses

It's not how hard you work, it's how long you work ...

"A study appearing in the journal Occupational and Environmental Medicine says the injuries and illnesses have nothing to do with how hazardous the job is.

The researchers analyzed the responses of nearly 11,000 people to the annual National Longitudinal Survey of Youth. The survey included questions about employment history, work schedules, and sick leave, covering the period between 1987 and 2000.

In total, 110,236 job records were analyzed and 5,139 work related injuries and illnesses were noted, with more than half occurring in jobs requiring extended working hours or overtime.

After adjusting for age, gender, type of industry and job, employees working overtime were 61 percent more likely to suffer a work related injury or illness than employees who did not work overtime."   continued ...   (Via PhysOrg)

You can only work so long.

Ergonomics in Today's Kitchen

Getting it right to start will avoid safety problems, increase comfort, and increase productivity ...

"Ergonomics in Today's Kitchen: The planning for efficiency and ease of use remains more important than ever. Even in the kitchen, ergonomics is now a new ingredient in the overall design. Convenient positioning of the main kitchen activities includes proper depth of the kitchen sink and correct height countertops.

When dishwashing, the sink should be approximately at the level of one’s navel, in such a way that plates can be held with column straight and elbows forming a 90º angle. Whereas taller people (5'- 5" and above) would feel comfortable working with a 10" deep sink, smaller persons (5'- 0") could be at greater ease with 8" deep sinks. Deeper bowl depth will better enable the cleaning of bulky equipment (pots, pans and trays) in the sink while reducing the amount of water splash. It will also keep out of sight dirty dishes.

36" Kitchen counters have been standard since the 1940s, but we may have had it all wrong. According to "The Countertop Uprising," an article published in the Wall Street Journal (March 18th 2005), more and more homeowners are remodelling and installing higher kitchen counters. This prevents the need to hunch over when handling food, especially for people of above average height."   continued ...   (Via Interior Design)

Getting it right the first time.

iPod warning: turn it down

We could have predicted this finding ...

"First came the studies about increases in childhood obesity followed by research investigating the agility of the thumbs of people who text message on their mobile phones. Now there are predictions of increasing levels of tinnitus and other hearing problems among people who are addicted to their iPods and MP3 players.

Up to a quarter of people will have hearing problems caused by listening to their iPods at "excessive and damaging" levels, according to research by the National Acoustic Laboratories, to be released by the Federal Government tomorrow.

The research also predicts rising levels of tinnitus - ringing in the ears - and loss of hearing because people can't maintain "responsible" listening habits. The Minister for Ageing, Julie Bishop, advised people to turn down the volume of their MP3 players."   continued ...   (Via PhysOrg)

Turn it down!

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Reducing the Risk of Manual Materials Handling

Manual Materials Handling more than heavy lifting ...

"Tasks such as carrying boxes or lifting crates lead to hundreds of thousands of injuries a year. Here are some steps you can take to assess the risks in your workplace and reduce this costly occupational hazard.

In the workplace, we can view manual materials handling (MMH) as any process in which the human operator is asked or required to lift, lower, push, pull, carry or perform any other similar task in which an object is moved through space solely under the power of the human operator. Additionally, some assisted activities such as pushing a cart or using a mechanical assist still may be viewed as a manual materials handling task.

Many in the work force view materials handling tasks as only those tasks that involve weights that are perceived as heavy. In truth, MMH involves any handling of a product, whether it is a pencil or a 70-pound piece of electronics equipment. MMH is not relegated solely to heavy manufacturing environments; it includes jobs in a plant where a person has to lift a 1-pound component and jobs in an office where a person must lift a 55-pound computer monitor."   continued ...   (Via Occupational Hazards)

What makes a heavy load?

Office Ergonomics: Let's Get Practical

Some practical tips for office ergonomics ...

"Office Ergonomics... what is the essence of it? We all have our own concepts and philosophies when it comes to the optimal office setup. Yet over the years, the notion of office ergonomics has conjured up a mental image of a graphic outlining a perfectly positioned, faceless individual. Each joint of the body has been precisely measured and labeled. You are familiar with the graphic: a perfectly proportioned individual sitting with knees and hips bent at 90 degrees, an impeccably erect spine, elbows positioned at an exact right-angle and finally, the keyboard and the monitor placed without flaw.

This ideal picture – or so it would seem – is the visual aide that has been used countless times by educators and consultants to outline and communicate the ideal position that end-users should aspire to. However, a problem does exist. Regardless of how ideal this picture may be, this standard-bearer has seldom, if ever, been observed in the workplace – male/female, East Coast/West Coast, first floor or the penthouse.

It is time we get practical. Our teaching approach and message need to match up with the realities of a call center and the rigors of the data-processing suite. Believe it or not, people move, shift, reposition and redistribute their weight throughout each and every day. I do it. You do it. It is done with great frequency and consistency. The paradigm of the statically positioned, faceless individual needs to be transformed to a message that encourages freedom of movement within the context of three simple strategies: Stability, Clearance and Support."   continued ...   (Via Occupational Hazards)

Correct setup is important.

Selecting Healthy Hand Tools

A great article with specific tips on avoiding injury ...

"Choosing the right hand tool for a job can protect workers from painful injuries and improve productivity at the same time.

Ergonomics often is described as matching human capabilities (physical, psychological, physiological and biomechanical) to the demands of a specific task. When there is a mismatch in some of these requirements, one of the consequences may be the development of musculoskeletal injuries. Musculoskeletal disorders (MSDs), also called cumulative trauma disorders or repetitive stress injuries, are injuries that occur over a period of time due to repeated exposure to risk factors. Examples of MSDs include tendonitis, carpal tunnel syndrome, back injuries, thoracic outlet syndrome, ganglion cysts and De Quervains.

Common occupational risk factors for the development of an MSD are the application of excessive force, high repetition, awkward postures, long task durations and static loading of the muscles. The level of injury risk depends on both the frequency and severity of risk factors present in a task. The risk-injury relationship often is described as an exponential relationship. Using ergonomics principles to reduce job risk factors not only decreases the injury risk but often increases the efficiency and quality of a job and improves the overall productivity.

Hand tools are an extension of one's hands. In a manufacturing or small assembly setting, MSD risk factors are significantly influenced by the type of hand tools selected. This article will review some important factors to consider when selecting hand tools."   continued ...   (Via Occupational Hazards)

It all starts with the right tool.

A cut above the rest

Knife ergonomics lies in the blade, not the handle ...

"In this era of stun guns, 2000lb bombs, and too-advanced-to-be-tested strategic missile defence systems, few individuals understand the effect of knife-handle shape on stabbing performance. Ian Horsfall and his colleagues are among the proud, happy band of brothers and sisters. Their new report, The Effect of Knife-Handle Shape on Stabbing Performance, makes it easy for all of us to share in this knowledge. Their study is published in the journal Applied Ergonomics.

The team is based at the Royal Military College of Science, Cranfield University, in Swindon. The title of the report is a measure of the scientists' modesty: for they studied not just the knife-handle's shape, but also its size.

"The bottom line," Horsfall says, "is that stabbing performance is almost wholly dependent on the person holding the knife, and is not a function of the knife handle." He emphasises also that "this paper does not in any way illustrate how to stab people". The thrust of the research is how to protect people against stab wounds from a knife, and, especially, how to design police body armour."   continued ...   (Via EducationGuardian)

Knife handles.

OSHA draws up inspection hit list

A little ergonomics focus in the inspections ...

"OSHA this week announced that its 2005 site-specific targeting (SST) plan will focus on approximately 4,400 high-hazard work sites for unannounced comprehensive inspections over the coming year.
In the past seven years, OSHA has used a site-specific targeting inspection program based on injury and illness data. This year's program is based on the agency's Data Initiative for 2004, which surveyed approximately 80,000 employers to attain their injury and illness numbers for 2003.

OSHA will again inspect nursing homes and personal care facilities, but only the highest 50 percent rated establishments will be included on the Primary List. Inspections will focus primarily on ergonomic hazards relating to resident handling; exposure to blood and other potentially infectious materials; exposure to tuberculosis; and slips, trips and falls."   continued ...   (Via Industry News)

Ergonomics Inspections.

$1800 Ticket for Texting

They mean business - probably save some lives ...

"Police in South Wales have raised the fine for sending or reading a text message while driving from 30 to 1000 Pounds (US $1815). The offense will also raise the insurance rates of offenders as six points will be added to the driver's license. This increase is made under UK's "driving without due care and attention" statute, which can carry a fine of up to 2500 Pounds (US $4725).

Police will be stopping anyone seen looking down while driving which they believe is a sign that the motorist is composing a text message with a phone or Blackberry-style device on his lap. Police will also use long-range cameras to issue expensive photo tickets for the offense. In 2004, a test of ANPR cameras in parts of the UK resulted in 20,290 camera tickets for minor seat belt and cell phone violations. These cameras are expected to be deployed throughout the country by the end of the year."   continued ...   (Via TheNewspaper.com)

An expensive text message.

10 Tips To Stay Healthy and Succeed in School

“Back to school” means backpacks and other burdens come back into the lives of children and families. The American Occupational Therapy Association (AOTA) has solutions for staying healthy and succeeding in school and will be showcasing them in special events around the country on National School Backpack Awareness Day, September 21.

At least 500 occupational therapy practitioners will be holding events in every state in the U.S., speaking to an audience of more than 25,000 children, parents, and school staff.

At Backpack Awareness Day events occupational therapy practitioners weigh in students and their backpacks to make sure children are not carrying more than 15% of their body weight on their backs-the limit for back safety. This year's Backpack Awareness Day message is holistic and showcases the full range of services occupational therapy practitioners can provide for all students."   continued ...   (Via i-Newswire)

Staying healthy.