Getting a lift

Job safety for nurses ...

"While nurses gain protection with ‘safe handling’ law, hospitals stepped in to make it business-friendly

That appears to be a common complaint among caregivers at hospitals. In fact, according to a 2003 Department of Labor and Industries study, nursing staff have among the highest back injury rates of any occupational group in Washington State. In response to this situation, a new Washington law goes into effect June 7. Known as the "safe patient handling bill," H.B. 1672 seeks to prevent staff and patient injuries due to patient lifting. Only Texas and New York have similar laws in place.

"I’m really excited about this bill," said Vicki Wornath, who is a registered nurse at Southwest Washington Medical Center.

The bill will require hospitals to provide mechanical lifts for the purpose of moving patients, and also requires hospitals to form a safe patient handling committee, of which half the members must be "frontline nonmanagerial employees" – i.e., nurses. According to Wornath, it is imperative that nurses have input on patient care – such as helping the committee choose equipment and form lifting procedures."   continued ...   (Via Vancouver Business Journal)

Lift used by nurses.

Ergonomist Provides Seven Tips for Creating the Ultimate Ergonomic Workspace in time for Occupational Health and Safety Week

Good tips for creating an ergonomic workplace ...

"Why Comfortable Computing Should Be a Priority at Home and the Office

If you are like most Canadian adults, you touch your mouse and keyboard more times per day than you do your spouse, your pillow or your car steering wheel.

Strange, but easy to imagine as true when you consider that research shows up to 95 per cent of us spend between four and 10 hours a day on our computers.

With so much time being devoted to such sedentary pursuits, a comfortable workstation and healthy computing habits are essential. We risk painful injuries otherwise, because when we work for prolonged periods in a non-ergonomic environment, we unconsciously train our bodies to accommodate discomfort.

According to ergonomist Dan Odell Ph.D., feeling discomfort while sitting at the computer can be an early warning sign of such "Information Age" occupational hazards as repetitive strain injury or RSI."   continued ...   (Via Microsoft Canada)

Workplace Health and Safety Dirty Dozen Report

The National Council on Occupational Safety and Health [National COSH] released a report April 25 listing 12 companies with poor health and safety records.

The report details examples of the tragic consequences of workplace deaths, injuries and illnesses for both workers and their families. It calls for stronger enforcement actions, including criminal prosecution, to encourage stricter compliance with health and safety standards. The release of the report coincided with the annual Workers Memorial Day on April 28, which marked the beginning of OSHA and remembers those workers killed, hurt or made ill on the job.

"This list a disgrace to all working Americans who risk their lives every day to make a living for their families" said Emanuel Blackwell National COSH Chairperson. This is the first list of its kind citing poor records in health and safety protections that result in death, serious injury and illnesses.

The report cites British Petroleum, Cintas Corp., DuPont Corp., Hayes Lemmerz International, Honda Motor Co. of America, International Coal Group (Sago Mine), McWane, Safety Bingo Inc., Sunesis, UNICCO, Wal-Mart Stores Inc. and W. R. Grace."   continued ...   (Via Occupational Hazards)

Wireless bionic arm would feel real

Progress with artificial limbs ...

"With Pentagon support, researchers develop thought-controlled limbs. Work on artificial arms that would be controlled by the human mind is ramping up, thanks to a helping financial hand from the Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency.

DARPA announced in February that it would pour $55 million into a prosthetic arm research project to be led by Johns Hopkins University’s Applied Physics Laboratory. The work will be spread among more than two dozen institutions.

On Monday, the University of Utah announced a $10 million contract, as part of the overall project, to develop a "peripheral nerve interface." The implanted device would relay nerve impulses wirelessly from what’s left of a limb to a computer worn on the person’s belt. From there, the signals would be routed to a bionic arm and back to the remainder of the amputated arm, where they would then flow naturally back to the brain.

Researchers at the university have already developed a pill-sized array with 100 tiny electrodes. Now they’ll seek to improve on the arrays so they can be implanted in up to four of the major nerves in a patient’s residual arm. Each electrode would communicate with a small number of fibers within a nerve.

"Imagine an artificial arm that moves naturally in response to your thoughts, that allows you to feel both the outside world and your own movements, and that is as strong and graceful as an intact, biological limb," said bioengineer Greg Clark, the University of Utah's principal investigator on the project. "That's what our researchers, teaming with others around the world, are setting out to achieve."

Over the next four years, other scientists will build a next-generation mechanical arm designed to work like the real thing."   continued ...   (Via VRoot.org)

Pull-Sized Array

Bigger beds a pain, hotel staffs complain

Safety in hotel rooms ...

"The health and safety of hotel housekeepers -- who are wrestling with bigger beds and increased in-room amenities -- is emerging as one of the key issues when union contract talks resume in San Francisco and other major cities later this year.

Unite Here, which represents hotel workers, Tuesday released a survey of 600 housekeepers that found 91 percent had experienced workplace pain and 67 percent said the pain was so severe that they sought medical treatment.

The situation is worsening as leading hotel chains introduce heavier, more-luxurious beds, the report said."   continued ...   (Via SFGate)

Mobile devices trigger eye strain

Overcoming eye strain with mobile devices ...

"For decades, optometrists have recognized that spending long hours in front of a desktop computer can lead to a range of eye-related problems. Now, hand-helds - with screens barely larger than a postage stamp - are triggering a fresh round of complaints. WSJ reports on how tech companies are addressing studying the science of "readability" -- and looking for ways to make hand-held computing easier on the eyes.

-- Microsoft Corp. has adapted a line of fonts specifically for hand-held screens, such as "Frutiger Linotype"

-- Microsoft has also developed a technology called ClearType, which helps smooth the jagged edges of letters on the screen and increases the sharpness of text displays.

-- Sony Corp. are looking for ways to make reading off the small screen more like reading from paper."   continued ...   (Via textually.org)

Eye Strain

Studying the game-brained screeniebopper

Australians have always had a reputation for embracing technology, so the fact that our children are as comfortable with it should be no surprise.

There's debate about how much time children should spend using technology after revelations that some boys are spending up to seven hours daily watching television or playing electronic games on computers or consoles.
Researchers are calling them screenieboppers.

Research from the University of South Australia suggests that boys have increased their average computer and game time from 30 hours a fortnight in 2003 to 56 hours today.

...The effect of technology on a child's intellectual development remains a hot topic, with important arguments on both sides of the debate.

Researchers are raising concerns about the lack of proper ergonomics, suggesting that long hours spent in front of screens with poor posture could affect bone development and growth."   continued ...   (Via Australian IT)

Problems persist in meatpacking industry

Safety problems continue in the meatpacking industry ...

"He works in a world of long knives and huge saws, blood and bone, arctic chill and sweltering heat. For Martin Cortez, this is life on the line as a meatpacker.

It’s no place for the squeamish. Some workers can’t stomach the gore — chopping up the meat and bones of hundreds of cattle, day after day. Cortez has been at it more than 30 years. It also can be very dangerous. Some workers have been slashed, burned or scarred. He has not.

Even so, Martin Cortez doesn’t recommend the work. The thrashing animals, the heavy lifting ... all that goes into putting steak and hamburger on America’s dinner tables, he says, makes for a backbreaking day.

“You know what I like to say to newcomers?” he says. “They don’t kill cows. They kill people.”

This, some would say, is The Jungle of 2006."   continued ...   (Via MSNBC.com)

Meatpacking

Pedaling posture

The ergonomics of bike posture ...

"Erik Moen explains the finer points of fitting a bicycle to a person's body and vice versa. All the while and without looking, he uses a forearm as a curb to force cyclist James Watkins to stop bowing his left leg as he pedals an anchored bicycle.

Moen, a cyclist, coach and physical therapist, is well-known in the Seattle area for the attention he pays to emphasizing the ergonomics of bicycling. When a cyclist comes to see him, often complaining of pain, Moen checks the positions of the saddle, handlebars and pedals. Then, he watches how they fit with the rider's style.

Watkins is a distance rider who owns eight bicycles. He first felt pain around his right knee last summer during a long benefit event (which he admits he considered a race). So, he brought his favorite bicycle as he paid a visit to Moen at Kirkland (Wash.) Physical Therapy."   continued ...   (Via St. Paul Pioneer Press)

Inattention causes 8 of 10 road accidents: study

It's not just cell phone use that causes accidents ...

"Drowsiness and distractions like cellular phones are responsible for nearly 80 per cent of car crashes, according to a study by the United States government released Thursday.

Called the 100-Car Naturalistic Driving Study, the findings were taken from video footage and sensor monitors that captured the habits of more than 200 drivers.

Researchers for the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) and the Virginia Tech Transportation Institute (VTTI) reviewed thousands of hours of video, and found that drivers were commonly distracted within three seconds of a crash or near-crash."   continued ...   (Via CTV.ca)

Driving While Phoning

Supervisors Play Key Role in Keeping Injury Claim Costs Down

The role of supervisors in injury prevention ...

"It pays to have supervisors who know how to effectively respond to worker injuries and safety and health concerns, according to a new study.

The study, conducted by researchers from the Liberty Mutual Research Institute for Safety, found that having supervisors who know how to address employees' work-related safety and health concerns can produce significant and sustainable reductions in future injury claims and disability costs.

The study found that supervisors who were trained to properly respond, communicate and problem-solve with employees reduced new disability claims by 47 percent and active lost-time claims by 18 percent.

The institute studied the impact of a supervisor-training program that provided education and training for both management and supervisors to help them respond better to worker injuries. The program also included suggestions for employee communication and problem-solving skills to help get injured employees back to work."   continued ...   (Via Occupational Hazards)

Taking the Pain Out of Repetitive Keyboard Stress

A good how to for RSI pain ...

"The pain of repetitive stress at computer keyboards can be reduced by forearm supports known as arm boards, according to a study here.

In fact, arm boards reduced neck and shoulder disorders by about half over the course of a year in a group of nearly 200 computer-based customer service workers, reported David Rempel, M.D., M.P.H., director of the ergonomics program at San Francisco General Hospital.

However, the ergonomic intervention known as a "track ball"-which replaces a computer mouse and uses a large ball for cursor motion- produced mixed results, Dr. Rempel and colleagues said online in the British Journal of Occupational and Environmental Medicine.

The study included 182 customer service workers at a large health maintenance organization. They were randomized into four groups to receive ergonomic training only, training plus a trackball, training plus arm boards, or training plus a trackball and arm boards."   continued ...   (Via MedPage Today)

Many Topics Featured At The June ASSE Conference

Just a reminder ...

"A slew of topics covering every range of occupational safety, health and the environment including the rebuilding of Iraq and Afghanistan, benchmarking warehouse safety, occupational asthma, mining emergencies, connecting safety to business needs and more will be available for attendees at June’s American Society of Safety Engineers’ (ASSE) Professional Development Conference and Exposition. ASSE’s Safety 2006 will be held this June 11-14 in Seattle, WA, at the Washington State Convention and Trade Center.

The conference features more than 200 concurrent educational sessions, 300 exhibitors, special pre- and post-conference seminars; several keynote presentations, technical tours and networking events. Session topics will include management, emergency response, fire protection, career/personal development, international safety and health, ergonomics, human behavior, construction and mining, environmental, transportation, healthcare and much, much more.

“The occupational safety, health and environmental profession is a dynamic field, where practices change rapidly and stakeholder expectations continue to climb,” ASSE Chair of the Conference Planning Committee Christine Sullivan, of Colorado, said. "An investment in professional development is absolutely essential to long-term career success. Safety 2006 not only meets those career development needs by providing a wide array of offerings covering the full spectrum of safety, health and the environment, but provides key information on issues both good and bad that our members deal with every day."   continued ...   (Via Safety Online)

Forearm supports reduce upper body pain linked to computer use

Providing forearm support prevents back injuries ...

"Providing forearm support is an effective intervention to prevent musculoskeletal disorders of the upper body and aids in reducing upper body pain associated with computer work, according to a study in The British Journal of Occupational and Environmental Medicine.

Reported in the April 18 issue, the study shows that use of large arm boards significantly reduces neck and shoulder pain as well as hand, wrist and forearm pain. "Based on these outcomes, employers should consider providing employees who use computers with appropriate forearm support," said lead author David Rempel, MD, MPH, director of the ergonomics program at San Francisco General Hospital and professor of medicine at the University of California, San Francisco.

Study findings also show arm boards and ergonomics training provide the most protective effect, with a statistically significant reduction in both neck and shoulder pain and right hand/wrist/forearm pain in comparison to the control group, who did not receive forearm support. The boards reduced the risk of incidence of neck and shoulder disorders by nearly half.

According to the authors, musculoskeletal disorders of the neck, shoulders and arms are a common occupational health problem for individuals involved in computer-based customer service work. Specific disorders include wrist tendonitis, elbow tendonitis and muscle strain of the neck and upper back. These health problems account for a majority of lost work time in call centers and other computer-based jobs. "Extended hours of mouse or keyboard use and sustained awkward postures, such as wrist extension, are the most consistently observed risk factors for musculoskeletal disorders," Rempel added."   continued ...   (Via Eureka Alert)

Here's how to create an efficient, effective home office

Good tips on creating an ergonomic home office ...

"In a world of instant e-mail and 24/7 cell-phone access, the once solid line between work and home seems on the verge of dissolving. Technology lets us do business from our living rooms, and often we do.

But as we spend more time working from home, the design and contents of the space we set aside for it becomes increasingly important. By creating a dedicated work space — whether it's a converted spare bedroom or simply a corner of your kitchen — you can increase productivity while also maintaining a healthy delineation between work and play.

"You need to create a separation, even in a one-room studio," says author and home-office designer Neal Zimmerman. "Otherwise it becomes a situation where you're never sure whether you're working or living."

Zimmerman begins by asking clients what kind of work they'll be doing and what equipment they'll need. "There's no sense selecting a specific spot in your home if your work requirements will run in conflict with the space," he says.

Based on work habits - Often, decisions are based on work habits. Cheryl Demas, creator and editor of wahm.com, an online magazine for work-at-home mothers, prefers being "in the middle of the action," where she can interact with her family.

But many of her readers opt for isolation, choosing the quietest spot in their home to limit distraction."   continued ...   (Via Inside Bay Area)

The Economics Of Ergonomics

The way ergonomics plays a role in medical device development ...

"Maquat surgical tables, lighting systems and ceiling service units all have one thing in common-exceptional ergonomic design that plays a vital role in improving workflows, productivity and operational efficiencies.

Closely working with leading medical practitioners around the world, MAQUET's Product Development Specialists incorporate the recommendations of the individuals who use our products on a daily basis.

This collaborative approach, coupled with the largest R&D investment in the industry, has resulted in the development of best- in-class solutions that provide an extra measure of safety, convenience and patient care.

For example, MAQUET Mobile Surgical Table Systems have played a key role in permitting timesaving, parallel workflows in what has been touted as the "OR of the future."

In surgical lighting, MAQUET's patented Automatic Compensation System provide flexible light head positioning on a vertical axis for procedures requiring "side" lighting.

MAQUET Ceiling Service Units, by their very design, provide better patient access with less clutter and enhanced provider comfort. MAQUET's Advanced IV Transfer System enables safe and efficient patient transport to and from the ICU. Throughout transport, pumps do not have to be disconnected, lifted or moved by hand.

These are just a few of the many examples of ergonomic enhancements that make a significant difference in the way medical practitioners perform their daily routines. It's the difference that has helped MAQUET Surgical Workplaces earn the distinction of being recognized as the Gold Standard of the medical world."   continued ...   (Via RedOrbit)

FDA Dismisses Study Linking Cell Phones to Cancer

Cell phones might not be such a health risk ...

"America’s federal health officials have dismissed a recent study in Sweden, which suggests a link between brain tumors and the frequent use of cell phones.

The Swedish researchers claimed in two separate studies that frequent mobile phone use over a period of more than a decade could significantly increase the risk of malignant brain cancer, but the FDA claims that the research conducted was not up to proper scientific standards.

They pointed out several shortcomings of the studies, which relied purely on unconfirmed surveys mailed out to participants. There was no supporting research on lab animals, and the findings were highly inconsistent with other, much more comprehensive studies."   continued ...   (Via Telecommunications Industry News)

Chronic Pain: The 'Silent Disorder'

Chronic pain under-reported in workplace ...

"From headaches to respiratory conditions to arthritis, many Americans battle chronic pain on and off the job. But often they hide those conditions from their employers due to social stigmas and out of fear of being viewed as incompetent.

"Generally speaking, chronic pain and other physical and mental disorders have been categorized as 'silent disorders' in the workplace simply because most employees are afraid of the consequences if employers find out," says Wayne Hochwarter, an associate professor of management in Florida State University's College of Business.

Hochwater, who has conducted several studies to examine the role of chronic pain on work factors such as job stress, employee performance and organizational profitability, says his research shows that chronic pain at work has a significant effect on both the worker and the organization."   continued ...   (Via Occupational Hazards)

Driver Behavior Causes Most Truck Crashes

Truck involved crashes due to driver error ...

"Drivers of large trucks and other vehicles involved in truck crashes are 10 times more likely to be the cause of the crash than other factors such as weather, road conditions and vehicle performance, according to a new study released by the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration.

"This study makes it clear that we need to spend more time addressing driver behavior, as well as making sure trucks and buses are fit for the road," FMCSA Administrator Annette Sandberg said. "The multitude of data now available will allow us to analyze specific areas of behavior and work with our industry and safety partners to develop an agenda on driver safety that will improve commercial motor vehicle driver performance."

The "Large Truck Crash Causation Study" was commissioned by FMCSA to review the causes of, and contributing factors to, crashes involving commercial motor vehicles. While previous data focused on specific crashes and/or individual causes of crashes, this study was the first nationwide examination of all pre-crash factors, according to the agency."   continued ...   (Via Occupational Hazards)

BLS Significantly Underestimates Injuries and Illnesses

Worker related injuries greater than thought ...

"A NIOSH-funded study conducted by researchers from Michigan State University concludes that the current national system for calculating workplace injuries and illnesses "markedly underestimates the magnitude of these conditions."

The study, which is detailed in the April edition of the Journal of Occupational and Environmental Medicine, analyzes Michigan workplace injury and illness data in five different databases, including the Bureau of Labor Statistics, for the years 1999, 2000 and 2001. From that analysis, the researchers conclude that the number of work-related injuries and illnesses in Michigan is three times greater than BLS estimates."   continued ...   (Via Occupational Hazards)
The findings lead the researchers to believe that BLS significantly underestimates U.S. workplace injuries and illnesses. The researchers conclude that BLS needs to overhaul its current system "to address the undercount.

Workplace habits prove costly

The cost of not having an ergonomically designed workplace ...

"Employers are losing thousands of dollars in the workplace because they continue to ignore the role badly-designed workstations and inappropriate work practices can have on productivity.

Auckland-based ergonomist Janelle Aitken said 80,000 claims were made to ACC in 2004 for costs associated with the workplace at an average cost of $10,000 per claim.

And the problem was getting worse not better, she said.

"We're working longer and harder. What's different too is that people are sitting for longer.

"It's not just workstations, it's environment."   continued ...   (Via New Zealand news on Stuff)

Sight for Sore Eyes: Preventing Computer Eyestrain

You do it when you check your email; you do it when you surf the web. In fact, you're probably doing it right now—straining your eyes in front of the computer.

Americans spend an average of 26 hours a week on their computers at work and at home. While these tools have helped to make the office more productive and the home more entertaining, that glowing box you're staring into for hours on end may be doing damage to your eyes.

A recent survey of optometrists found that more than 14 percent of patients complain of symptoms that stem from computer work. These symptoms include headaches, eyestrain, blurry vision, dry and irritated eyes, sensitivity to light and neck or backaches."   continued ...   (Via ABC News)

Jitterbug MVNO Targets Seniors

Keeping it sweet and simple ...

"GreatCall Inc. today launched a new MVNO service called Jitterbug targeted at older users. The service will launch with a special phone designed in cooperation with Samsung. The Samsung A120 features a simple design and UI, oversize buttons and graphics, and a cushioned cup around the earpiece to improve sound quality in noisy environments. To make the experience easier for users transitioning from landlines, the phone even makes a dial tone sound when opened. The phone also features one-touch access to an operator."   continued ...   (Via Phone Scoop)

MVNO Phone

Glasses that hear well

Advancment in overcoming hearing disabilities ...

"If you live in the Netherlands and don't hear well, you'll soon be able to buy a new hearing aid, a pair of Varibel glasses. These special glasses originally developed at Delft University of Technology have four small interconnected microphones in each leg of their frames. And these microphones can "selectively intensify the sounds that come from the front, while dampening the surrounding noise." So these glasses offer a better sound quality than other hearing aids.

Before going further, here is a picture of these hearing glasses with their tiny microphones (Credit: Varibel)."   continued ...   (Via ZDNet)

Varibel Glasses

Evacuation Plan a Critical Component of Fire Safety

The importance of fire safety when planning a safety program ...

"While workplace fire-prevention measures have improved drastically since 146 garment workers died in blaze at the Triangle Shirtwaist Co. in New York City in 1911, when it comes to fire safety, employers still need to be vigilant and prepared to deal with the unexpected – which means having a viable evacuation plan, one expert says.

David Gold, an occupational safety and health expert with the International Labor Organization, points to the evacuation of the World Trade Center complex on Sept. 11 as an example of the importance of having a viable evacuation plan. While some 4,000 workers in the twin towers died that day, Gold, in the most recent edition of "ILO Online," noted that more than 25,000 lives were saved there because of an effective evacuation plan.

"Where a large number of workers are concerned, it is not possible to evacuate the working areas in a timely manner without an evacuation plan," Gold said."   continued ...   (Via Occupational Hazards)

Expert: Safety Obsolete Without Effective Management Systems

Dirving safety with an effective management system ...

"Having an efficient and effective management system is important in any company if it aims to improve its safety performance record, according to safety expert from the Dow Chemical Co.

Donald Jones, Dow Chemical's safety manager, during his presentation at the American Society of Safety Engineers' safety symposium discussed how leadership strategies within safety and health management systems was vital to preventing accidents and injuries.

"You can definitely see great leadership in sports where the quarterback is not necessarily the best player, but carried confidence and knew how to lead the team," he said. "A safety management team should emulate this at some level."   continued ...   (Via Occupational Hazards)

ASSE Creates Occupational Safety and Health Professional Day.

New recognition for safety and health professionals ...

"If you are an occupational safety and health professional, then May 3 just became your special day this year.

The American Society of Safety Engineers'(ASSE) Board of Directors approved the creation of an "Occupational Safety and Health Professional Day" to be held May 3 during North American Occupational Safety and Health Week (NAOSH) which runs April 30 to May 6. Thereafter, Occupational Safety and Health Professional Day will be held on the Wednesday of NAOSH Week each year.

The purpose of the special day is to recognize the ongoing efforts of occupational safety, health and environmental professionals to protect people, property and the environment."   continued ...   (Via Occupational Hazards)

New picking season brings ergonomics to the field

The need for ergonomics is everywhere ...

"Ergonomics is heading from the office to the orchard.

Apple pickers and farm workers are plagued by strains and sprains. So now researchers are trying to design equipment that cuts down on injuries. For instance, an apple farm near the Canadian border has tested a new fruit bag designed to reduce back and shoulder injuries. Wider testing is planned in other states.

In Washington state, researchers are testing high-tech orchard ladders that sound an alarm when they risk becoming unbalanced. And an orchard safety project is planned this season in California and southern Oregon."   continued ...   (Via WSTM.com)

WORKERS' COMPENSATION - A Guide to Useful Research

For those involved in Worker's Comp ...

"So that you don't have to, I spend a lot of time peering into management and research journals and e-mailing the authors, most of whom respond with grace. Every year, maybe 10 articles appear truly worthy of attention by the workers' comp professional. They cover management, insurance, law, medical care and safety. Because I've been in this field for 20 years, I could list 200. Within this space, however, I will mention but a few.

Research helps when it debunks, steering us away from conventional wisdoms that are really only overroasted anecdotes. It can speed change without chaos. Maybe my diagnosis of terminal optimism causes me to think that every senior executive should read at least the research summaries.

The safety and disability researchers there I have always found bright and hardworking, and it shows in the many papers they publish. You can scan their titles and order them online. Go to www.libertymutual.com, then "site map," and Research Institute for Safety is listed under "contacts." From aging to ergonomics to predictors of disability, this site is rich with studies you can use."   continued ...   (Via Risk and Insurance)