Improve Usability for Older Users

Designing websites for older users ...

"According to the 2001 UK census, the UK now has more people aged over 60 than under 16. It also revealed that there are now 1.1 million people aged over 85 in the UK -- and the trend toward an ageing population is common in many other western countries.

The main finding of our study was that older users were more likely to assign blame when using the Internet.

Of the eight older participants, three appeared to blame themselves for any difficulties which they encountered (sample quotes included, "I don't really know what I'm doing"; "It's probably my fault"; "This always happens to me"). However, four of the older users seemed to blame the site(s) for any difficulties which they encountered (saying things like, "I hate it when websites do this"; "Well, that's stupid"; "That doesn't make any sense").

We found that the younger users were far less likely to assign explicit blame for any difficulties they encountered: only one user from this group assigned blame, and assigned it to himself."   continued ...   (Via Sitepoint)

Video games tackle 'lazy eye'

Toward a cure for lazy eye - a workplace benefit ...

"Playing virtual reality computer games may help treat the condition known as amblyopia, or lazy eye, say researchers.

In patients with amblyopia, one eye works better than the other. Because the amblyopic eye is inferior for some reason, the brain decides to use the good eye.

Over time, the neural connection to the bad eye becomes gradually weaker in favour of the good eye.

The traditional way of fixing the problem is for patients to force the bad eye to work harder by wearing a patch over the good eye."   continued ...   (Via BBC NEWS)

Finger scanner fine-tunes car safety settings

Individual customization increases saftey systems ...

"A dashboard finger scanner could prevent thousands of car injuries each year by fine-tuning crash restraint systems to a passenger's bone density.

The ultrasound scanner, developed by researchers at Cranfield Impact Research Centre (CIRC) and Nissan Technical Centre Europe, both in the UK, assesses an individual's tolerance to injury, allowing a vehicle's onboard computer to adjust the force applied by their seatbelt and airbag accordingly.

"It would need to be used each time the car's ignition was switched on, before the driver was able to move off," says CIRC’s technical director, Roger Hardy."   continued ...   (Via New Scientist)

A Leg Up for Crutch Design

Revisiting crutch design ...

"Crutches have been around since the Pharaohs ruled Egypt some 5,000 years ago. You might think that 50 centuries would have given the medical device adequate time to evolve. After all, we aren't building pyramids the same way anymore.

But crutch design seems to be improving at a glacial pace. The under-arm tune-fork shape most common in the U.S. is regarded as a World War II era relic in Europe, where the forearm crutch is more common. While the forearm crutch has some advantages -- most importantly in removing the object from the underarm area, where it can cause nerve damage -- both designs could be improved upon.

As currently designed, crutches require twice as much energy to maneuver as normal walking. A team of mechanical engineers at Stanford who have studied the problem say that users of under-arm crutches are essentially doing a push-up with every step. Moreover, under-arm crutches can actually cause injury through repetitive stress on the hands, wrists, and arms. These crutches can also damage the Brachial Plexus, the network of nerves that control the muscles of the shoulder and arm."   continued ...   (Via Yahoo Finance)

Caring For Your Eyes In The Digital World

The effects of technology on vision ...

"Studies have found that the majority of people who work at a computer experience some eye or vision problems, and that the level of discomfort appears to increase with the amount of computer use. But, increased use of smaller, portable work and recreational gadgets such as Personal Digital Assistants, laptops and cell phones used for text messaging and Web access may also be contributing factors to the visual fatigue and discomfort experienced by millions, according to a leading expert.

"The unique characteristics and high visual demands of computer work and play make many individuals susceptible to the development of eye and vision-related problems," notes Dr. Jeffrey Anshel, a practicing optometrist and author of Visual Ergonomics in the Workplace. "With the proliferation of portable electronic devices such as laptops, palm pilots and video game players, it's no surprise that eye care professionals are seeing more patients who complain of ocular discomfort."   continued ...   (Via Medical News Today)

Safety Catalyst: Boosting Safety With an Aging Work Force

Dealing with an aging workforce ...

"Gallup polls project a 73 percent increase of 55-and-older workers by 2020, in part because people are waiting longer to retire. For safety strategists, it's critical to plan for the impacts of an aging work force.

The negative: Older workers can be more skeptical about learning and change and reportedly tend to have more severe and expensive injuries, often soft-tissue in nature.

The positive: More experienced workers generally have fewer numbers of injuries and can be ready and willing to learn practical skills to protect themselves – if demonstrated to their satisfaction. Arguably, Baby Boomers know, darn shame, they are no longer 10 feet tall, bulletproof or forever young."   continued ...   (Via Occupational Hazards)

HSE Guidance Addresses Back Pain Among Kitchen Workers

Helping to reduce worker back injuries ...

"Back pain and manual-handling injuries are among the most common occupational health problems in the UK, and the Health and Safety Executive (HSE) wants to help reduce those injuries.

In catering and hospitality industry kitchens, there are many tasks that without proper controls can cause back pain or upper limb injuries. In 2004-2005, an estimated 2 million people suffered occupational injuries or illnesses, with back pain and upper limb disorders accounting for around three-quarters of the total. Most recent accident statistics for the year 2004-2005 show that 62 percent of all manual-handling injuries in hospitality industry involve pushing and pulling, lifting and carrying, handling and awkward body movements.

Aimed at raising awareness of the causes and preventative measures for back injuries among employers, a new guidance from HSE offers practical information on good manual-handling techniques and lifting aids that will be useful to any section of the hospitality industry. The guidance, "Preventing Back Pain and Other Aches and Pains To Kitchen and Food Service Staff," can be downloaded from the HSE wWb site at www.hse.gov.uk/pubns/cais24.pdf. It also offers specific information for kitchen employees on significant risk areas such as pot washing, dishwashing, preparing food, storage and cleaning."   continued ...   (Via Occupational Hazards)

Cost to Keep Disabled Employees is Small, Study Says

More good reasons to hire disabled people ...

"The cost for employers to accommodate employees and job applicants with disabilities is minimal, according to the Department of Labor.

The preliminary findings of a study conducted by the Job Accommodation Network (JAN), a service of DOL's Office of Disability Employment Policy (ODEP), found almost half of the accommodations needed by disabled employees and job applicants cost nothing. Of those accommodations that do have a cost associated with them, the typical expenditure is around $600, according to the study.

"This new information indicates that for a very small investment in accommodations, an employer can hire or retain a good employee for the business," said Roy Grizzard, assistant secretary of labor for disability employment policy."   continued ...   (Via Occupational Hazards)

Increased Use of Computers, Portable Gadgets Leading to More Visual Fatigue And Discomfort

Vision problems due to computer use ...

"Studies have found that the majority of people who work at a computer experience some eye or vision problems, and that the level of discomfort appears to increase with the amount of computer use. But, increased use of smaller, portable work and recreational gadgets such as Personal Digital Assistants, laptops, and cell phones used for text messaging and Web access may also be contributing factors to the visual fatigue and discomfort experienced by millions, according to a leading expert.

"The unique characteristics and high visual demands of computer work and play make many individuals susceptible to the development of eye and vision- related problems," notes Dr. Jeffrey Anshel, a practicing optometrist and author of "Visual Ergonomics in the Workplace." "With the proliferation of portable electronic devices such as laptops, palm pilots, and video game players, it's no surprise that eye care professionals are seeing more patients who complain of ocular discomfort."

Indeed, a national survey of doctors of optometry found that more than 14 percent of their patients present with eye or vision-related symptoms resulting from computer work. Furthermore, in a survey of more than 2,000 current and former contact lens wearers, time spent in front of a computer (41 percent) was the activity most frequently mentioned as causing discomfort while they were wearing their lenses."   continued ...   (Via SYS-CON Media)

PCs and iPods can damage your sight

Visual ergonomics in the workplace ...

"The increasing use of smaller work and recreational gadgets, such as PDAs, laptops and mobile phones, may be contributing to the visual fatigue and discomfort experienced by millions, it was claimed today.

"The unique characteristics and high visual demands of computer work and play make many individuals susceptible to the development of vision-related problems, " said Dr Jeffrey Anshel, a practicing optometrist and author of Visual Ergonomics in the Workplace.

"With the proliferation of portable electronic devices it is no surprise that eye care professionals are seeing more patients who complain of ocular discomfort."   continued ...   (Via vnunet.com)

The Multicultural Work Force: The Melting Pot Heats Up

Diversity in the workplace requires safety challenge ...

"Every year, people from all over the world come to the United States in search of a better life. They come with dreams of freedom and opportunity, and bring with them a rich tapestry of challenges for the safety professional.

In March 2004, a van carrying 10 people in Washington state collided with another vehicle. The van driver and four passengers died, while the other five passengers were seriously injured.

The driver was wearing a seat belt, but authorities concluded that the other passengers were not. Perhaps worse, authorities also discovered that one of the van's seats was not bolted to the vehicle."   continued ...   (Via Occupational Hazards)

ASSE: NIOSH Research Valuable to Increased Workplace Safety

Research is the key to improved safety ...

"At the March 13 "Direction for NORA's (National Occupational Research Agenda) Second Decade" national town hall meeting held in Washington, D.C. by the National Institute of Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH), a senior official of the American Society of Safety Engineers (ASSE) noted, "Our members know that without an aggressive research agenda to addresses the risks workers face in a quickly changing workplace, their responsibilities will become increasingly difficult to fulfill."

ASSE Senior Vice President and Michael Thompson, CSP, of Houston, testified that ASSE supports the ongoing research efforts of NIOSH, saying, "This proactive approach in advancing the research our members rely on daily to fulfill their responsibilities in preventing deaths, injuries and illnesses in this nation's workplaces is very valuable."

Thompson discussed the need for research that will help determine the future of safety, health and environmental (SH&E) professionalism into the future; the need for NIOSH to interact aggressively with the standards development community; and the need to examine more comprehensively the role of broad safety and health management in the corporate and program structures of organizations."   continued ...   (Via Occupational Hazards)

Disabled users to test websites

A new service for making websites accessible ...

"Disabled people are being drafted in to help ensure websites are usable by all.

The pool of disabled surfers has been brought together by the Usability Exchange, which aims to give instant feedback on website navigation.

Website managers can use remote viewing software to watch how easily the surfers are able to move through a site as it is tested.

The service launches as new guidance is issued calling on websites to involve disabled people in the user-testing."   continued ...   (Via BBC NEWS)

Disabled people check out site usability

Making websites more accessible ...

"A new service has been unveiled today to help firms and organisations ensure their websites can be accessed by people with disabilities.

Last week the British Standards Institution (BSI) published new guidance (PAS 78) to ensure that sites are user-friendly for disabled people.

According to the BSI guidelines, those responsible for websites need to carry out practical tests - preferably with disabled people - to ensure their sites are usable and accessible."   continued ...   (Via The Register)

Applied Ergonomics Conference

Conference is in Orlando, FL March 6-9, 2006 ...

"Sprains, strains, and pains; chances are you or someone you know has experienced these symptoms on the job.

Applied Ergonomics Co-Chair Bill Boyd told us, "Typically, we're not talking about fatalities, however, we're dealing with very serious injuries, usually with the back, arms, hands, shoulders, and pretty much anywhere you've got the muscular part of the body."

One third of all workplace injuries are ergonomic related. In other words, they are injuries to the muscles, tendons, nerves, joints, and spinal discs. They cost companies between $50 and $100 billion dollars."   continued ...   (Via Central Florida News)

New HFES annual series, Reviews of Human Factors and Ergonomics

This new journal looks quite interesting ...

"Each volume of Reviews of Human Factors and Ergonomics focuses on findings that are applicable in real-world contexts, especially to the design of devices, systems, or processes that people use or with which they interact.

The new HFES annual series, Reviews of Human Factors and Ergonomics, condenses human factors/ergonomics knowledge in specific subject areas into a form that provides readers with a comprehensive understanding of each topic – its current state, important new research findings and technology, and current issues and research needs. Volume 1 is now available for purchase.

Each volume of Reviews of Human Factors and Ergonomics focuses on findings that are applicable in real-world contexts, especially to the design of devices, systems, or processes that people use or with which they interact. The chapters note ways in which research results inform theory or methodology for future research and also emphasize the practical implications of the research that is reviewed. Accordingly, in Volume 1, three chapters focus on research areas and three emphasize areas of application."   continued ...   (Via HFES)

Spanish Researchers Pioneer New Braille Keyboard

The first Braille keyboard ...

"Researchers from the Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona and the Organización Nacional de Ciegos Españoles (ONCE) have developed a Braille keyboard for PCs that has some unique features. The keyboard provides more applications for blind people and is particularly useful for scientific texts and musical scores.

The new keyboard, which connects to the PC through the USB port, will make using a computer much easier for blind people who are accustomed to using Braille typewriters, since this is the first Braille keyboard to combine the function and movement keys of a conventional keyboard with eight Braille keys that allow the user to write in any language. Users can also select between a cumulative and a corrective writing mode. In the cumulative mode, the dots of a Braille symbol are indicated by pressing the keys one after another; in the corrective mode, this is done by pressing the necessary keys simultaneously."   continued ...   (Via ScienceDaily)

Braille Keyboard

Attitude, Not Cost, Barrier to Disabled Workers

Accomidating disabilities is not always costly ...

"Recent data shows employers who make an effort to accommodate employees with disabilities can do so at little cost and great benefit, exposing deeper discrimination behind dismal employment numbers.

Impressing a potential employer during an interview and getting a good job offer is difficult for many. But for those with disabilities - who must prove they are as qualified as non-disabled candidates - finding any job has its own challenges.

When Congress enacted the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) fifteen years ago, supporters hoped the equity legislation would increase disabled peoples’ opportunities for employment. But, according to researchers at Cornell University, the employment rate for people with disabilities peaked around 25 percent in the 1990s before dropping below 20 percent by 2004."   continued ...   (Via The NewStandard)

Ergonomic Awareness Has Become an Important Factor for Employers and Employees

Ergonomics as an employee investment ...

"Thanks to Wojciech Jestrzebowski, a Polish scholar, who introduced the term Ergonomics back in 1857 we know more about how we can incorporate the use of equipment to help with some of the daunting work duties that may take its toll on our bodies in the long term. It has only been in the recent years that companies have taken notice and have implemented ergonomic equipment in the work place. Thanks to these employers we can now lead a healthier, happier life with less body pains, and strains than before.

Computer work stations have advanced significantly throughout the years as people sit at them more and more. The incorporation of a good ergonomic chair and ergonomic computer work station can be a heaven sent for those who are lucky enough to have one. Repetitive motion is one of the larger concerns when it comes to computer users."   continued ...   (Via India Daily)

Designing safe guns...with pleasure

Guns need to be safe too ...

"Even if firearms are tools, they're not ordinary ones. And the lack of standardization in their design often leads to unintended injury and even the death of their users. A special issue of Ergonomics in Design, "Human factors issues in firearms design and training," looked at how "the human factors/ergonomics (HF/E) community can contribute to the production of safe and effective future firearms." One of the papers introduces us to the new world of Hedonomics, which states that "once individual user's safety and functionality needs are satisfied, pleasure should be considered in the design of products, systems, tools and environments."

Before entering the world of Hedonomics, here are some of the problems identified by this special report about firearm safety.

- Knowledge of how to use one type of firearm doesn't mean a person is going to be competent using other types.
- Even if there is a manual safety — and sometimes there isn't — a red spot may indicate that the safety is engaged, but sometimes it means exactly the opposite.
- Safety training does not address the matter of firearms use under high stress, when the operator may be affected physically, perceptually, and emotionally."   continued ...   (Via ZDNet.com)

Changes in Policy May Decrease Worker Injuries

Policy changes to reduce injury sound like a good thing ...

"Policy changes such as job rotation and worker safety committees could reduce worker injuries, according to researchers from Wake Forest University School of Medicine, who conducted a study of 200 poultry workers.

"Policy changes are needed to improve the health and safety of workers," said Joseph Grzywacz, Ph.D. a researcher from the Wake Forest University School of Medicine and lead author of the report.

The survey involved face-to-face interviews with 200 Hispanic poultry workers, based on a representative sample of workers in six counties in North Carolina. Results of the data collected showed that the workers' jobs require frequent awkward postures and repetitive movement. Workers also reported that they had minimal control over their work and little variety in their daily tasks. Researchers found that the monotonous routine coupled with the demands of the assembly line contributed to an increased risk of musculoskeletal problems."   continued ...   (Via Occupational Hazards)

Human Factors and Ergonomics Society: HFES 2006 Annual Meeting

HFES 2006 Convention

(Via HFES)

Keeping eyes, mind on road

The military bans cell phones while driving ...

"At least one branch of the federal government isn't bashful about making tough new rules.

The Department of Defense has sent a directive that hand-held cell phones are not to be allowed while driving on military land, or in government-owned vehicles.

Officials at Vandenberg Air Force Base, where the new rules have been in force since last week, say the goal is to reduce traffic accidents on base."   continued ...   (Via LompocRecord)

Using Kaizen to Improve Safety and Ergonomics

New tools for improving workplace ergonomics ...

"Kaizen, the implementation of low-cost improvements resulting in measurable impact, might just be your ergonomics program's new best friend.

Most companies do a decent job of documenting safety and ergonomic issues, but there is much room for improvement when it comes to following through with implementing the corrective actions in a timely manner.

Unfortunately, many safety managers have limited resources and staff to focus on this area. Failure to implement corrective actions can result in an unsafe and hazardous workplace, OSHA non-compliance or, in the worse case scenario, fatalities."   continued ...   (Via Occupational Hazards)

Usability For Older Web Users

Internet access for older adults ...

"According to the 2001 UK census, the UK now has more people aged over 60 than under 16. It also revealed that there are now 1.1 million people aged over 85.
Webcredible recently analysed and compared the results of 16 usability testing sessions - 8 of these sessions were conducted with elderly users (i.e. over the age of 65), and 8 with younger users (i.e. under the age of 40).

The 40-minute ‘talk-aloud’ sessions involved asking participants to find information on a range of government websites.

Assigning blame - The main finding of our study was that elderly users were more likely to assign blame when using the Internet."   continued ...   (Via Daily India)