Human Factors

Fatigue is one of the biggest safety factors in the trucking industry ...

"Sometimes the most obvious things escape observation. Or maybe it's because other stuff just obscures the details.

I recently attended the 2005 International Conference on Fatigue Management in Transport Operations conference in Seattle. There, during her keynote address, Annette Sandberg, chief of the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA), said her agency's primary focus would soon be switching from vehicles and administrative concerns to human factors. "Driver factors," she said, "were up to 10 times more prevalent than vehicle or environmental factors in events that led to crashes between one tractor trailer and a single passenger vehicle."

No kidding, Sherlock.

Trucks seldom jackknife all by themselves. Sure, vehicle defects play a role, but data consistently show vehicle condition is a contributing factor to a crash in a very small percentage of cases. Drivers, Sandberg says, "were considered fatigued about six to 10 percent of the time."   continued ...   (Via Today's Trucking)

Truck Driver Fatigue.

Wireless Communications Risks evaluated by UK Department of Health

More evidence that mobile devices do not cause cancer ...

"Mobile phones and wireless communications technologies at home and at work" by the UK Department of Health is a report, only available electronically that compares the risk issues with using wireless comms.

The featured technologies are: wireless computer networking; digital cordless phones; Bluetooth: Ultra-wideband; and Radiofrequency identification (RFID) devices. Only the last two are not dismissed by the report as likely to be safer than mobile phones in terms of the radiation they emit and in both cases it is because there is insufficient data to judge.

The report is published closely following a recent report by the Institute of Cancer Research (part funded by the Department of Health) describing results from the largest ever investigation into mobile phone use and brain tumours. It found no relation between the risk of acoustic neuroma and the number of years for which mobile phones had been used, the time since first use, the total hours of use or the total number of calls, nor were there any relations separately for analogue or digital phone use. It concluded that there is no substantial risk of developing a tumour in the first 10 years of mobile phone use. An increased risk after longer term use, however, could not be ruled out as mobile phones have only been used widely over the past decade."   continued ...   (Via Usability News)

Cellphones.

The Safety Catalyst: Changing Perceptions Toward Safety Change

Making safety work for everyone by changing your perception of safety ...

"Changing employees' safety behaviors may be most successful when safety managers are open to changes in the way they operate.

Change is the name of the game for safety leaders. On one level, our mission is to help others change how they accomplish tasks at work and home, to look ahead to see possible consequences and to make adjustments to avoid injury.

The essence of organizational safety in the past century dealt with reducing (or eliminating) hazards. These efforts need to continue. As new equipment and substances arrive at the workplace, we have to anticipate and minimize their potential negative impacts on workers.

But in many companies, eliminating external risks has already been addressed to a significant degree. The low-hanging fruit has been harvested. Even here, there's only so much risk reduction that can be cost-effectively accomplished. Much as we'd like, there may be no feasible way to reduce weather exposures for our outside delivery people, totally shield workers from noise and high-speed machinery or stop poor random drivers from interacting with our people coming to work."   continued ...   (Via Occupational Hazards)

Changing perceptions about safety.

Opening the Door for Employee Participation in Safety

Employee involvement can enhance a safety program ...

"This Montgomery, Pa., company encourages employees to serve on safety committees and act as "safety points."

Dell Pratt, safety coordinator at Springs Window Fashions, believes there's no magic in being one of America's Safest Companies. "It's hard work," he says, of a safety process that has earned the company Voluntary Protection Program Star honors from OSHA and recognition from the governor of Pennsylvania. "There's no magic involved."

Of the company's 783 associates, approximately 103 serve on a safety committee, and all supervisors and managers participate on one of the company's safety committees. The plant manager, Doreen Decker, serves as the co-chairperson (along with Pratt) of the Central Safety and Health Committee at Springs Window Fashions.

"I've seen some great written safety programs that sit in a book on a shelf, collecting dust. Ours is a process, and we not only encourage employees to get involved on safety committees and to monitor the safety behaviors of their coworkers, we empower them to correct any unsafe condition. Associates are given the time and training to do all of the departmental safety audits each month," says Pratt."   continued ...   (Via Occupational Hazards)

Employee Safety Involvement.

'Sick worker' malady may be early RSI sign-study

RSI may be responsible for more than wrist pain ...

"Early nerve damage caused by repetitive motion on the job can cause "sick worker" syndrome, a fatigue or depression that can be mistaken for poor work performance, according to a study published in this month's Journal of Neuroimmunology.

The study done on rats found that nerve injuries caused by low-force, highly repetitive movement -- common to typists, pianists and meatpackers, among other professions -- can be blamed on increased production of proteins known as cytokines.

The researchers theorized that as cytokines first appear in the newly injured nerve of workers who perform the same physical movement over and over, signs of "sick worker" syndrome begin. People may call in sick with undefined symptoms, or slow down their work production or a low-grade depression may set in, the researchers said."   continued ...   (Via Yahoo! News)

Journal of Neuroimuniology.

Raking without Wrecking Your Back

How to rake leaves without killing your back ...

"As the cool weather descends upon us and the foliage falls, the yard clean-up begins. But, before you pick up that rake and attack the leaves covering your acreage, Dr. Kate McDonough offers tips for keeping your spine healthy this autumn.

Use the right tools. Yes, this sounds silly, but, you can seriously strain your back using a rake that is too small or too large for you. Test the weight, comfort and grip before purchasing or using a rake. As with snow shovels, manufacturers are producing ergonomically correct rakes which are designed to relieve some of the pressure to your back during raking.

Loosen Up. Raking is exercise, and you should always stretch out before your “workout”. With hand on hips, bend slowly backwards and return to upright position. Then do the same alternately to the left and right, coming back to upright position each time. Repeat each bend ten times.

Skip the Twist. Although Chubby Checker would be disappointed, there should be no twisting of any kind. Trying to get to those leaves behind you or under the lilac bush? Instead of reaching and twisting, move your entire body to face the area you are raking. This way, you avoid overextension and strain of the muscles."   continued ...   (Via ClickPress)

Ergonomic Rake.

When technology attacks

Not only Blackberry Thumb, now Monitor Eye ...

"Up to 75 percent of computer workers complain of vision problems, according to the association.

The muscles surrounding the eyes work hard to constantly focus on the nearby computer monitor. They also repeat countless, rapid movements reading character after character of text, line after line.

Those repetitive movements lead to stress injuries in the ocular muscles similar to keyboard stress injuries that have become common in recent years, according to the optometric association.

Encinitas optometrist Jeffrey Anshel, author of "Visual Ergonomics in the Workplace," said computer-vision syndrome is the leading reason for visits to his office."   continued ...   (Via SignOnSanDiego)

Technology Attack.

Car buyers tend to overlook ergonomics

The importance of evaluating a car based on ergonomics ...

THE word ergonomics does not come from ergo, which means therefore, but rather from erg, which is a unit of work. It is the study of efficiency in the workplace, but has also come to mean user-friendly design. It is one of those words you can throw into a conversation about anything from cars to toasters. Sloppy ergonomic engineering can make a product hateful to use, while good design simply feels natural and intuitive.

It is not so simple to fix ergonomic flaws that are built into a motor vehicle. In years past, drivers simply adapted to what the manufacturers threw their way. Peugeots, for example, often had the turn signal mounted on the right side of the steering column. My MGA had a dashboard knob for the same purpose.

The bulletproof six-cylinder Dodge pickup that I owned for many years required training in daylight to find unlit switchgear, scattered at random across the dash. These days we expect better thought out controls from our vehicle makers.

Buyers often overlook ergonomics in the lust of the moment. At the very least, try to be aware of these considerations. If you spend a lot of time commuting or rack up serious highway travel, test the vehicle in these conditions. A long test drive and some poking around, preferably with impartial assistance, makes it easier to figure out good and bad points. Then a clear choice can be made. If the rest of the vehicle fits the bill, will it be possible to adapt to or overlook certain quirks? Living with something that annoys on a daily basis is about as much fun as drinking dishwater."   continued ...   (Via )

Bad Ergonomics: push button in unexpected way to lock door.

The Agony of 'BlackBerry Thumb'

A new round of articles about the effects of Blackberry Thumb ...

"Chris Claypool was addicted to his BlackBerry wireless handheld. Like many users, he never thought twice about pecking away at lightning speed, replying to a wave of e-mails from clients around the globe. Last year, the 37-year-old agricultural sales director from Post Falls, Idaho, noticed a throbbing sensation in this thumbs whenever he typed.

He switched to tapping with his index finger, then his middle digit and finally his pinky. But his thumbs pained him to the point where he can't even press the buttons on his TV remote control.

After months of aching, Claypool took a break. Now he only uses his BlackBerry to send short messages — typing with the tip of a pencil eraser whenever his thumbs get sore.

"It affects business because I can't whack away on my BlackBerry like I used to," he said. "It's just too painful."   continued ...   (Via Wired News)

Blackberry Thumb.

OSHA 'Tools' Help Sustain Worker Safety During Hurricane Recovery Efforts

Hurricanes, Hurricanes, Hurricanes ...

OSHA has developed informational materials to help employers and workers better address safety and health hazards associated with hurricane cleanup and recovery.

"Our goal is safe and healthy workers," said Acting Assistant Secretary of Labor for OSHA Jonathan Snare. "These materials provide concise, expert information that will help workers avoid the vast array of hazards they will encounter during the Gulf Coast cleanup and recovery operations."

OSHA safety and health experts have already developed 37 fact sheets and eight "quick cards" – two-sided, 4-by-9 inch cards with safety and health tips – on hazards such as molds and fungi, downed electrical wires and general decontamination, to name a few. Thousands of these "tools" have been printed, laminated and put in the hands of cleanup and recovery workers throughout the Gulf Coast area."   continued ...   (Via Occupational Hazards)

Katrina.

OSHA's 'Top 10 List' Points to Priority of Fatal Falls Hazards

Falls continue to be a top safety hazard ...

"For many years, the General Requirements for Scaffolding rule has been by far OSHA's most violated standard, and this year the agency has issued even more citations for the rule than last year, according to an analysis of data presented by OSHA and the National Safety Council (NSC).

Enforcement of Scaffolding (1910.451) is likely to remain a high OSHA priority, as violations of the rule can lead to fatal workplace falls. Fatal falls shot up 17 percent in 2004 – the highest annual total every reported by the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) in its annual fatality census.

This year, as last year, Fall Protection, general requirements, was the third-most frequently violated OSHA standard and the number of violations in 2005 shot up more than 15 percent from last year, another possible indication of how seriously OSHA takes fall hazards. The data also may suggest that fall hazards remain all-too common in the U.S. workplace."   continued ...   (Via Occupational Hazards)

Slip and Fall.

Armchair advice and lessons learned

Practical ergonomics tips from a Wahington Post article ...

"SKIP CHAIRS WITH ARMS: They tend to get in the way when typing, says Tamara James, ergonomics director in Duke University's Occupational & Environmental Safety Office.
WANT ARMRESTS?: Make sure they're adjustable by height and width; jelled or padded armrests are good to alleviate pressure on your arms.

LISTEN TO YOUR BODY: If you are feeling pain or discomfort, speak up and ask how the chair can be adjusted. Don't wait.

LESSON: Ergonomics pays little attention to office chair armrests, but they can trigger serious problems -- and complications."   continued ...   (Via newsobserver)

Armrest.

Roll-Up Braille

A great innovation for the visually impaired ...

"In the same vein as an electronic newspaper, a new portable electronic Braille display has been announced, small enough to fit in your pocket—and can even be rolled up. Basically, it’s “a sheet of tiny plastic paddles that bend in response to a voltage. It is designed to connect to a cellphone or laptop, and could also replace the liquid crystal screen of an ordinary PDA.” This looks to be a huge breakthrough because the only dynamic displays for the blind right now are about the size of a New York phone book."   continued ...   (Via Gizmodo)

Roll-up Braille.

Ergonomics Exposition

The Safety Catalyst: Handling Stubborn Safety Problems

Making a safety program work ...

"Will Rogers contended, "The secret of success is simple. If you're in a hole, quit digging." This seems like common sense, but I've seen many leaders who, when frustrated, resort to pulling out a shovel – either handtool or bulldozer – and then redoubling their digging efforts. These are otherwise intelligent people in a wide range of professions, but they continue to expend precious resources and risk losing credibility by this try-harder-the-same-way excavating.

We as safety professionals aren't exempt. Have you seen this: Workers don't change their actions? Tell them again (with a why-didn't-you-listen undertone). Policies and procedures not followed? Write additional (and more detailed) rules. Training didn't change their behavior? Put them through the same training again and again (until they "get it").

It seems that when their people don't act in hoped-for manners, many leaders default toward becoming more rigid, forceful, negative and blaming. Ironically, these are the polar opposite responses of the strongest leaders I've encountered. When things don't go their way, master leaders are relaxed and vigilant. If their first action doesn't get the job done, then they flexibly shift to a different tack."   continued ...   (Via Occupational Hazards)

Will Rogers.

Key Elements in Ergonomics Training

The critical success factors for making an ergonomics training program effective ...

"Do you know the order in which to train employee groups on ergonomics? It's one of many planning elements that can make or break an ergonomics training program.

Training is a critical element of a successful occupational ergonomics program. Learning opportunities provide people with the means necessary to complete the steps of the ergonomics improvement process. These key steps include identifying risk, reducing risk, verifying risk reduction, managing injuries and maintaining program sustainability.

Training is critical, especially since it can be one of the biggest investments a company makes in its ergonomics agenda. Therefore, it must be well-planned, focused and coordinated. This article describes critical elements for success with the training portion of your ergonomics process, and explains the reason for training, whom to train and in what order and the content of each level of training."   continued ...   (Via Occupational Hazards)

Ergonomics Training.

Ideas offered to lessen seniors’ injuries in falls

Practical tips for reducing injuries from falls ...

"Injuries from falls -- a leading cause of hospitalizations and deaths of seniors -- can be prevented with environmental changes and training on how to fall safely, health officials say.

"A big problem is the home itself or the furnishings -- low chairs impossible to get out of," said Rosemary Bakker, gerontologist, certified interior designer and research associate in gerontologic design and medicine at Weill Medical College of Cornell University.

Bakker addressed more than 300 participants at a statewide conference, "Reducing Falls by Design," sponsored by the state Health Department on Tuesday at the Pacific Beach Hotel."   continued ...   (Via StarBulletin)

Types of Falls.

Report Recommends Ways To Protect Workers From Injuries

Government trying to get a handle on musculoskeletal injuries ...

"The Ontario government is reviewing a report by the Ergonomics Advisory Panel to find ways to protect workers from musculoskeletal injuries, Labour Minister Steve Peters said today.

"I thank the panel members for their expert advice on this important topic," said Peters. "We are now reviewing their report to help us implement strategies to protect workers from the effects of ergonomics-related injuries."

According to the Workplace Safety and Insurance Board, there were 41,670 musculoskeletal injuries resulting in lost time at work in 2003. This represents over 40 per cent of all lost-time injuries in Ontario workplaces. These injuries can develop as a result of the cumulative effects of repetitive, stressful or awkward movements that wear down bones, joints, ligaments and other soft tissues."   continued ...   (Via CNW Group)

Ontario Government.

Leadership and Communication Skills for the EHS Professional

Good rules for an effective 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)

EHS Professionals.

Report: 96,282 Died in United States from Workplace Diseases in 2001

Accidents are not the only workplace hazard - disease is another factor ...

"For every U.S. worker killed at work by an injury, more than 10 die from work-related diseases, according to the most recent estimate by the International Labor Organization (ILO).

"One of the biggest challenges we face is the relative under-emphasis of occupational health in relation to safety," asserted Jukka Takala in an interview to discuss the results of the ILO's report on global workplace injuries and illnesses. Takala is the director of ILO's SafeWork program and played an important part in putting together the data.

Every 3 years, ILO issues a report on global occupational injuries and illnesses. The most recent figures, released at last month's World Congress of Safety in Orlando Fla., go through the year 2001.

The ILO figures for the annual death toll of work-related illnesses are roughly double estimates by the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), according to Takala. The ILO estimates that in 2001, 6,643 U.S. workers died in fatal accidents, 728 more than the official BLS number."   continued ...   (Via Occupational Hazards)

Asbestos.

Devices help the blind cross tech divide

Special gadgets to help the visually impared stay connected ...

"Jerry Swerdlick runs a 15-employee company that resells computers and devices that aid people with visual, hearing, learning and other physical disabilities.

Business is really booming these days, Swerdlick said, as more and more manufacturers are building so-called assistive technology gadgets to address a wide range of special needs groups.

And while he takes bigger and bigger orders from his clients, the mere fact that he is able to spend many hours on the computer is a testament to how far assistive technology designs have come in recent years.

That's because Swerdlick is legally blind."   continued ...   (Via CNET)

Keys-U-See.