Dangers of working in a pub

Being a bartender has its health risks as well ...

"Too much time in the tavern can be hazardous to your health--and not just for the drinkers bending their elbows or scrapping with the bouncer, according to a new study done in part at the University of Alberta.

A joint study published in the September edition of Applied Ergonomics by the University of Alberta and Napier University of Scotland, shows that servers, cooks and bartenders risk serious injuries while doing their everyday jobs serving up suds and finger foods.

"The image of a pub environment conveys a homey, intimate atmosphere, but the physical demands associated with occupations in a pub have had little attention," said Dr. Shrawan Kumar, professor of physical therapy at the University of Alberta. "Working in a pub involves tasks that pose risk to workers, and changes are required."   continued ...   (Via Medical News Today)

Bartenders at risk.

Managing Global Safety: The Power of One

A good article on the trend toward a corporate global safety program ...

"Why are a growing number of companies with international operations adopting corporate-wide global health and safety management systems?

Global companies face global safety risks. That's one of the lessons learned after the 1984 disaster in Bhopal, India, affected Union Carbide's worldwide operations.

In part because of this global risk, but for a variety of other reasons as well, health and safety professionals with international experience say one of the most important recent trends sweeping through successful multinational companies is the shift to a single safety management system that applies to all their operations throughout the world. While the example of Bhopal revealed the risks of safety failures, experts emphasize that taking a global approach to safety and health isn't only about avoiding problems: It also opens up a wealth of opportunities to improve performance."   continued ...   (Via Occupational Hazards)

Global Implications.

Leadership and Communication Skills for the EHS Professional

A good article about what it takes to be an EHS professional ...

"Most EHS professionals are not trained in the so-called "soft skills" such as basic leadership, written and oral communication and listening. I can vouch for that. I accumulated three science-oriented degrees (B.S., M.S. and Sc.D.) and was well prepared in the technical aspects of occupational health and safety, but terribly wanting in the soft skills or "sales skills" I needed to leverage my technical expertise. I was well-positioned to work and communicate with my EHS peers, but not well-equipped to work effectively with my customers, such as labor reps, workers, plant managers and general management.

This article is intended to discuss the non-technical skills so essential in optimizing our effectiveness. Our technical skills give us the right to succeed, but it is our personal leadership and communication skills that provide the way we succeed."   continued ...   (Via Occupational Hazards)

The EHS Professional.

Global workplace deaths vastly under-reported

Some big numbers for workplace fatalities ...

"The International Labout Organisation (ILO) has said that nearly 2.2 million people die of work-related accidents and diseases each year, adding that this number may be vastly under estimated due to poor reporting and coverage systems in many countries.

While the number of work-related illnesses and deaths has lessened somewhat in the industrialized countries, the ILO report said the number of accidents – in particular fatal accidents – appear to be increasing, particularly in some Asian countries due to poor reporting, rapid development and strong competitive pressures of globalization.

“Occupational safety and health is vital to the dignity of work”, said ILO Director-General Juan Somavia. “Still, every day, on average, some 5,000 or more women and men around the world lose their lives because of work-related accidents and illness. Decent Work must be safe work, and we are a long way from achieving that goal."   continued ...   (Via OneWorld South Asia)

World Map.

Firms urged to back design talent

Excellent ergonomic designs for everyday problems ...

"Design students who create products for disabled people are hoping to attract the attention of manufacturers at an exhibition in London this week.

Among the ideas are user-friendly central heating timers and phones, and storage for those with limited reach.

Mr Goodland conducted research among people aged over 65. He found that items which were the most difficult to use were video recorders, vacuum cleaners, central heating timers and telephones. He decided to concentrate on timers and phones because both are vital to a person's well-being. Among telephone users, he found the most common problem was dialling.

In order to overcome this he designed a photo frame holder into which pictures of the person whose number is required can be inserted. The user simply has to tap the photo or the holder in order to dial the correct number."   continued ...   (Via BBC NEWS)

Picture Phone.

Many office workers suffer constant neck and shoulder aches

Singapore finds 80% of population has neck and back pains ...

"Like many other desk-bound office workers, Kate Wong experiences constant neck and shoulder aches from sitting long hours in front of computer screen. The 28-year-old office executive said that the pains exacerbated, until "my shoulders got so painful and numb that I could not bear to even turn my head".

Wong's experience is not unique. According to a Singapore General Hospital (SGH) survey of 325 office workers last year, seven in 10 office workers put up with aches in at least one part of the body, with the top incidence of aches in and around the neck, shoulder and lower back.

According to the Back Society, 80 per cent of the adult population in Singapore will suffer from neck or back pains."   continued ...   (Via Channelnewsasia)

Stretching.

Microsoft Takes Comfort to a New Level With Advanced Ergonomics

Taking the split keyboard to a new level ...

"Continuing its commitment to delivering the most comfortable peripherals available, Microsoft Singapore today launched three new products designed to make time on the PC more comfortable than ever. A revolutionary ergonomic keyboard design, a sleek Comfort Curve Keyboard and an affordable High Definition optical mouse showcase the latest innovations in ergonomics and make time spent on the PC more enjoyable.

Microsoft has a more-than-20-year history of delivering comfortable products, including the first affordable split keyboard in 1994, which is the No. 1 best-selling1 Natural keyboard layout, and the Comfort Curve keyboard design introduced in 2005 — which, when tested in internal focus groups against other keyboards, was chosen 3-to-1. Microsoft ergonomists are continually looking for ways to make PC experiences more comfortable, and the Natural Ergonomic Keyboard 4000, Comfort Curve Keyboard 2000 and Comfort Optical Mouse 3000, all introduced today, take comfort to a new level."   continued ...   (Via hardwarezone)

Natural Keyboard 4000.

No Hands Mouse

Perfect for Carpal Tunnal Syndrom or arm/hand disabilities ...

"When I first saw this, I thought it was some foot pedal accessory for a driving game. But then I read further, and I find that this is actually a mouse. That’s right, this is a mouse that you control with your feet. One foot pedal controls movement, another controls clicking. This sounds rather nightmarish — it totally takes me back to my first time driving a stick shift. But I guess if you have some serious Carpal Tunnel going on, this could be a solution. Then again, at $316 per foot pedal mouse, I think I can live with just slipping my hand in a wrist splint."   continued ...   (Via Gizmodo)

No Hands Mouse.

NIOSH Head Says Global Safety Is Biggest 21st Century Challenge

Themes from World Congress on Safety and Health ...

"The heads of the three U.S. government agencies responsible for occupational safety and health addressed the theme of "Leadership in Safety and Health" during the plenary session yesterday (Sept. 20) at the World Congress on Safety and Health at Work in Orlando, Fla.

John Howard, director of the National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH), asserted that developing a global workplace safety and health system, in the absence of a world government, is the biggest challenge facing the profession.

Earlier in his presentation, Howard explored the differences between managers and leaders. According to Howard, leaders tend to be imaginative and inspire others to see problems in new ways, while managers are more oriented to details and solving problems."   continued ...   (Via Occupational Hazards)

Chao: Safety Must Remain a Core Value in Changing Workplace

Government recognition of safety is a good thing ...

"As the U.S. work force braces for a "generational shift" brought about by the impending retirement of millions of baby boomers across the country, EHS stakeholders must work to build a "culture of safety within the organization that says safety is No. 1," U.S. Secretary of Labor Elaine Chao told attendees of the National Safety Council's (NSC) 93rd annual Congress and Expo, which is being held in Orlando, Fla., this week.

"[O]ur country's challenge is to preserve the gains made over the past 50 years by intensifying our health and safety programs for the incoming new generation of workers," Chao said today.

When baby boomers retire, they take with them all the safety and health knowledge accumulated from a lifetime of work experience, Chao explained. At the same time, the younger workers who replace them bring "relatively less health and safety experience" to the workplace."   continued ...   (Via Occupational Hazards)

NSC.

Construction news from Contract Journal UK: Watch your step, warns HSE

A good suggestion for any workplace ...

"The Health & Safety Executive (HSE) has launched its Watch Your Step campaign to highlight the impact slips and trips have on the industry.

Almost 3,000 serious injuries occur each year as a result of slips and trips and in more than 90% of those cases the injured person is off work for at least a week.

The HSE said there are three main causes of workplace falls, which can be easily minimised:

Slips on wet and dry substances; minimised by cleaning or reporting of the spillages immmediately.

Trips over obstacles, such as cables, products and fittings; minimised by tidying up as you go and keep walkways clear.

Human factors, including failure to report and manage risks; follow the motto: 'Don't just see it, sort it.' ...(U.S.A. = fix it)"   continued ...   (Via Construction)

Slip and Fall.

NTSB recommends cellphone ban for teen drivers

Finally coming to terms with a real safety hazard ...

"So once again, Big Government is trying to step all over our right to endanger ourselves and others while barreling down the highway. First they forced us to wear uncomfortable seat belts, then our horns turned into tiny steering wheel buttons due to airbag requirements, and now they have the nerve to encroach upon our First Amendment right of free speech with laws limiting in-car cellphone usage. The National Transportation Safety Board, not content with killing our joyriding buzz with their many safety recommendations, has now suggested that federal legislators impose a ban on teenagers (well, all novice drivers really) chatting on their phones while driving. This new anti-teenage legislation is part of NTSB’s “Most Wanted Safety Recommendations to States” list, which might as well be called the “Suggested Ways of Making Your Commute Even More Boring and Tedious” list. If this law does in fact go into effect there may be that familiar sense of I-told-you-so when accident rates actually go up, as teenagers segue into the much more dangerous activity of texting at 70 MPH."   continued ...   (Via Engadget)

Doing two cognitive things at once.

Simple Cell-Phones Released

A good phone for visually impaired, older adults, and kids ...

"KDDI and Okinawa Cellular are pleased to announce two new au CDMA 1X 3G "Simple Cell-phones", expanding the line-up of au handsets that offer simplicity and convenience for older customers and other people who find cell-phones difficult to use.

The Simple Cell-Phone A101K from Kyocera Corporation is a voice-only handset that can be used with ease by older customers to make and receive calls, while the Simple Cell-Phone A5517T from Toshiba Corporation, which has a large screen and keys, enables e-mail and EZweb to be used with ease, as well as Safe Navi capability."   continued ...   (Via 3G)

Simple Phone

All EU cars will be equipped with "eCall" by 2009

Some new driving safety measures on the drawing board ...

"By 2009, all new cars in the EU will come off the conveyer belt with an "eCall" system, which in case of an accident will automatically dial 112 -the EU wide emergency number. An eCall may be triggered automatically, or manually, after a car crash giving emergency services accurate location information, reducing their response time and saving lives. EU Technology Commissioner Viviane Reding said, if EU Member States don't react, and fail to invest in the necessary emergency service infrastructure, the introduction of eCall technology shall face a delay."   continued ...   (Via PhysOrg)

eCall accident call-in system.

Behind-the-wheel dining is not as risky as it seems

It is hard to see how eating while driving is a good thing for safety, but it is common ...

"Mitch Bocook spends most of his day on the road in Palm Beach County, Fla., one eye on the clock and no time to brake for lunch. Sit down at a restaurant? That might put him behind schedule. Pull up to a drive-through? He'd rather keep driving.

Bocook is a dashboard diner, one of a growing number of drivers who eat in their cars on a regular basis. Studies on driver distractions estimate that as many as 75 percent of motorists eat behind the wheel, although this habit was found more likely to leave messy stains on their shirts than cause traffic crashes.

A car or truck is no longer just a means to get around. Automakers are adding ergonomically designed cup holders, more storage space and spill-resistant upholstery. Center consoles double as makeshift tables. Fast-food chains are repackaging meals to make them easier to eat on the run."   continued ...   (Via FortWayne.com)

Right, not a distraction.

Fatigue management conference kicks off

Fatigue is a safety problem in the trucking industry ...

"Transportation officials will join sleep experts from across the globe to discuss how to reduce fatigue-related crashes on highways.

Officials from 13 countries -- including representatives from Transport Canada and the Canadian Trucking Alliance -- are gathering in Seattle to exchange information on the latest fatigue management research, technologies and countermeasures.

The conference is part of a series of fatigue in transportation conferences that have taken place in Fremantle, Australia, since 1994, under the auspices of Murdoch University. Nearly 100 scientific papers will serve as the basis of discussion of various topics such as fatigue in transportation; fatigue indicators and monitoring devices; the impact of fatigue on performance, scheduling, sleep disorders screening and treatment and; fatigue management programs and countermeasures, education, training and evaluation."   continued ...   (Via Today's Trucking)

Fatigue is a safety issue.

Daily Arizona news for Chandler, Gilbert, Tempe, Mesa, Scottsdale

It seems like this could reduce accidents due to distracted cell phone users ...

"With concerns mounting over the safety of cell phone use while driving, Motorola’s Driving Simulator Lab in Tempe is testing mobile phones that can analyze driving conditions and avoid distracting the driver.

The device, called a "polite" phone because it helps the user drive politely, has been researched and tested for about two years, and Motorola is ready to discuss the project publicly, said Mike Gardner, director of intelligent systems research.

The software programmed into the phone can detect if the car is parked or cruising or in complex driving situations. If the car is parked, all incoming calls are are allowed through to the speaker phone. It also senses if the driver has entered the car and automatically transfers any ongoing calls to the speaker phone.

If the car is cruising on the highway, the only calls that are accepted are those from a pre-programmed phone book list — the ones the user wants to go through. All other incoming calls are routed to voice mail."   continued ...   (Via East Valley Tribune)

Looking for trouble.

Is Graphic Design Only For Those Who Can See?

Extending accessibility to everyday things ...

"One of the organizations that I recently learned of, who I believe could use our services is Our Money Too. This is a group of Americans lobbying our government to establish some sort of tactile markings on our U.S. currency. It seems like it would be a “no-brainer” to get this rolling in Washington, but as you can guess it has been held up a number of times in the legislative process. THIS IS A GRAPHIC DESIGN PROBLEM. As graphic designers, this is exactly the sort of issue we should address. I have emailed this group to let them know that I am more than willing to help in whatever way they may need it. I am also going to send a copy of this post to the AIGA and my congressman and see what happens. I looked into this issue on the US Department of Treasury website and although they are aware of it they give the usual government “run-around” response. I believe this to be one form of exclusion, that as graphic designers we can remedy."   continued ...   (Via Ramblings of a Graphic Design Professor)

Making money accessible.

Architects of their own downfall in the office

Safety and comfort in the workplace is beneficial to both employee and employer ...

"Badly designed offices are seriously undermining the productivity of staff, claims research carried out among managers.

A report, supported by the Design Council and produced by the international architecture firm, Gensler, claims that making people work in unsuitable and unpleasant surroundings cuts productivity by a fifth and costs British business billions of pounds in lost output each year.

Workplace morale is undermined by offices which are uncomfortable and unattractive, says the report, with complaints over lack of space, inappropriate office layout and an assumption among staff that the biggest factor in office design has been cutting costs."   continued ...   (Via Guardian)

A highly productive office.

Ergonomics as Computer Devices Grow Smaller and Smaller

As devices become smaller and smaller, recognition for ergonomically enhanced peripherals are getting much more attention ...

"If Cyberhand Technologies International, Inc. is any indication of the future of ergonomics for wireless devices, then watch out! The Canadian manufacturer recently received a very large order for 3 of its peripheral designs:

CT4700 Wireless Keyboard
X Series Controller
Advanced Computer Pointing Device

The order came from Connection Devices Distribution, Inc., a company that dominates the U.S. market share for these type of peripherals. With this new business relationship, Cyberhand is poised to be seen as a "a premier manufacturer of quality, performance driven Pointing Devices and Smart Wireless Keyboards"."   continued ...   (Via BellaOnline)

Ergonomic assistance.

The Alternative Work Force: Safety Challenges When Employees Work Remotely

How to ensure a safe work environment for distance workers ...

"It is estimated that between 30 and 40 million people in the United States are now either telecommuters or home-based employees. Sales and service personnel, working in primarily non-supervised situations, also constitute a large percentage of our work force.

The growing trend toward building an alternative workplace, including various combinations of non-traditional work settings, practices and locations, is accompanied by some unique management challenges for safety, health and environmental excellence. Safety professionals require skills to help prevent accidents and incidents in these situations. At the same time, alternative employees require personal or self-management skills to help them take responsibility for SH&E performance.

Pharmaceutical companies, for example, employ thousands of sales and detail people who travel alone to physicians' offices, pharmacies, supermarkets and the like. Machinery and parts manufacturers, computer hardware and software manufacturers and many other companies that supply an intermediary manufacturer or the end-user have scores of mechanics and service personnel who travel and work in unfamiliar environments. This poses an ongoing challenge for their safety, health and well-being."   continued ...   (Via Occupational Hazards)

Safety while working at home.

The National Ergonomics Conference and Exposition

Advanced Registration.

Keep Your Eyes On The Road and Your Hands Upon the Wheel

Tools for assisting drivers to drive safely ...

"Someone at Toyota has been sitting shotgun with me. And to prove it, the company has come up with what my friends and family have wished for since I [somehow] got my license many years ago. A new image-processing computer system using a camera near the steering wheel will detect when a driver stops looking at the road. And to let you and everyone else in the car know you’re not paying attention, there will be a nice beeping noise like when you forget to put your seatbelt on. If you still refuse to take your eyes off your radio, cigarette lighter or the cows on the side of the road, the brakes will just kick in for you. Genius, I say. The feature will be offered in Lexus luxury models in Japan next spring."   continued ...   (Via Gizmodo)

Helping us drive more safely.

Microsoft Takes Comfort to a New Level With Advanced Ergonomics

Trying to get a more comfortable fit and, perhaps, reducing injuries ...

"Continuing its commitment to delivering the most comfortable peripherals available, Microsoft Corp. today launched three new products designed to make time on the PC more comfortable than ever. A revolutionary ergonomic keyboard design, a sleek Comfort Curve Keyboard and an affordable High Definition optical mouse showcase the latest innovations in ergonomics and make time spent on the PC more enjoyable.

Equipped with breakthrough comfort enhancements and designed for those who already love split keyboards, Natural Ergonomic Keyboard 4000 debuts a proprietary “gull wing” design featuring a new 14-degree gable that brings the keys closer to the users’ fingers, reducing unnecessary motion while encouraging a more natural typing position. In addition, an optional palm rest for a 7-degree reversed slope, a cushioned wrist rest and a 12-degree split encourage better wrist and arm alignment, allowing users to work and play on their computer in a more natural and instinctive position.

Natural Ergonomic Keyboard 4000 is equipped with timesaving features including a Zoom Slider that is conveniently located in the middle of the keyboard for effortless control without requiring users to take their hands off the keys. In addition, Back and Forward buttons and My Favorites Keys enable users to easily navigate Web pages and commonly used documents with the touch of a button."   continued ...   (Via NFHO)

New Comfort Keyboard.

MP3 players may cause hearing loss

Continuous loud noise will impair hearing regardless of source ...

"Technology giveth, technology taketh away. Cellphones cause brain cancer, wearing a tattoo t-shirt will certainly end in a much deserved poser pummeling, and now…listening to your MP3 player causes hearing loss. A study by Harvard Medical School found that the in-ear-style headphones increased sound levels “by up to 9 decibels” over can-style headphones — that’s the sound of normal breathing at the low-end but significant at high levels on the exponential decibel scale! Ok, so that increase alone won’t shatter your drum but the study also finds these headphones inefficient at blocking out background noise providing incentive to crank it up baby, yeeeah! Harvard creds not good enough for ya? A study completed last month in Australia shows a quarter of all people surveyed listened to their “iPods at volumes that could cause long term hearing damage.” Well, none of this should be a surprise — just think of how many times those Haight Street Gap workers blast their Juice Newton to avoid the incessant slur of “doses” and “sticky green buds.”   continued ...   (Via Engadget)

Loud noise is not a good thing.

Five Leadership Skills that Increase Engagement

Leadership is where a safety program starts ...

"Few issues are more important to the success of a safety process than having supervisors and employees who are actively engaged and committed to it. As management consultant Keith Ayers points out, while much has been written on the subject of leadership, Gallup research shows that only 29 percent of the U.S. work force is engaged.

The role of great leaders, he stresses, is to get people excited about – and committed to – their organization's vision. He explains: "We need to understand about the role of the leader in employee engagement. Your leaders are either increasing engagement, or they are decreasing it. There is no middle ground. Everything a leader does that impacts on employees either increases or diminishes engagement."

Five Leadership Skills - After almost 30 years of research, Ayers says he has determined that there are five essential skills that leaders must have if they are going to succeed in increasing employee engagement. They are:

• Building Trust.
• Mentoring.
• Inclusion.
• Alignment.
• Team Development."

   continued ...   (Via Occupational Hazards)

Safety with Leadership.

Fatal Workplace Injury Rate Rises, Reversing 10-year Trend

Not a good trend at all ...

"A total of 5,703 U.S. workers died from occupational injuries in 2004, an increase of two percent from the revised total of 5,575 fatalities reported in 2003, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS).

In its annual census of fatal occupational injuries, released Aug. 25, BLS reported that the rate of fatal injuries in the workplace also rose, from 4.0 to 4.1 per 100,000 workers, the first such increase since 1994. The number of workplace fatalities has now risen 2 years in a row. The last time this happened was1994.

Despite the rising rate and numbers of death on the job, the 2004 figure of 5,703 represents the third lowest annual total recorded by the government since it began the fatality census in 1992."   continued ...   (Via Occupational Hazards)

An unpleasant trend.

Ergonomics trends passing kids by

Kids are having a harder time than adults with ergonomic ailments ...

"All the ergonomically correct workstations and state-of-the-art computer gear designed to reduce the risk of repetitive strain injuries in adults may be of no use to the children of the computer age.

According to new research about the risk of these computer-related injuries among the young, children use computers so differently than do adults that they end up feeling discomfort in different trouble spots and are beginning to show alternate signs of RSI -- which usually takes years to develop -- at a much earlier stage.

A new study by a team of New York researchers found that while adults tend to experience the most discomfort in their hands, arms and fingers, children are experiencing more computer-related discomfort in their neck and head regions."   continued ...   (Via National Post)

Nice ergonomic working position.