New Ergonomics Society President promotes ergonomic approach to usability

Overlap in fields of interest ...

"Tom Stewart, joint Managing Director of System Concepts Ltd (www.system-concepts.com), one of the largest independent usability and ergonomics consultancies in Europe, has recently been appointed as President of the Ergonomics Society(http://www.ergonomics.org.uk/).

A well known international expert on standards in usability and ergonomics, Tom has been enthusiastically promoting the importance of a user centred approach to the design of technology for over 30 years.

“In my role as President, I want us to work closely with other professional groups interested in how people use computer technology to encourage an ergonomics approach to usability. In this way we can try and make sure that technology improves our lives and reduces stress rather than contributing to it” explains Tom.

“Although taking usability seriously has become more widely recognised as essential to our successful use of technology, many people confuse it with simply trying to make websites easier to use. A usable product or system is one which is effective, efficient and satisfying for its users.”

Tom argues that an ergonomist’s approach to usability has three distinct features:

1. We are interested both in computer software and hardware and in the interaction between these and the user.

The Apple iPhone is a good example where the usability of its navigation comes from the way the physical properties of the touch screen interact with the interface software to provide a compelling user experience.

2. We recognise and value the importance of individual differences in task performance and preferences.

Understanding and recognising that everybody is different, means that to make a system usable we must design for the whole range of potential user capabilities, not the average, the easiest, or the ‘one just like me’. In this way accessibility for all users is integral to our approach to design, not just an afterthought or something that can be add on later.

3. We are task focussed.

Interfaces designed by marketers and graphic designers can look fantastic and make a great first impression, but unless they also allow you do what you want to do efficiently and effectively, this effort is largely wasted. An ergonomics approach makes sure you first understand what people really want to do and that they can do it which, in combination with great design, will produce a satisfying experience for the user.

Tom brings a wealth of experience to the Ergonomics Society. He started his ergonomics career as a founder member of Brian Shackel's Human Sciences and Advanced Technology Research group at Loughborough University in 1970. After several research and consultancy positions he joined System Concepts Ltd in 1983 and became MD in 1986.

Chairing the British Standards Applied Ergonomics Committee (PH9) and the sub-committee (TC159/SC4) of the International Standards Organisation which is responsible for the ergonomics of human-system interaction (including ISO 9241 and ISO 13407), he is also Convenor of the European Committee for Standardisation (CEN TC122 WG5) working group on VDU ergonomics."    (Continued via E-consultancy.com)    [Ergonomics Resources]

Estimating the Elbow Carrying Angle With an Electrogoniometer: Acquisition of Data and Reliability of Measurements

A scientific paper on the lifting capacity of the elbow ...

"The carrying angle of the elbow is defined as the angle formed by the long axis of the arm and the long axis of the forearm in the frontal plane.1 The carrying angle value and its pathologic variations are important in the management of elbow fractures2,3 and in the diagnosis of diseases of the lateral and medial epicondyles.4

Based on the theory of general rigid body motion, in 1976, Morrey and Chao1 computed the carrying angle by isolating the 3-dimensional rotation occurring at the elbow joint in 2 cadaveric specimens. They obtained 10° in full extension of the elbow and observed a linear decrease of the carrying angle with flexion. Since then, several authors have measured the carrying angle in vitro using mechanical instrumentations, hinged boards, or goniometers rigidly attached to the humerus5; kinematics or geometrical computations6; or radiographs,7 thus obtaining results not always in agreement with those reported by Morrey and Chao.1 The main reasons for this are differences in the definition of the angle and variations in the measuring instruments.

Few investigators have studied the carrying angle in vivo. Paraskevas et al8 measured the carrying angle in full extension in 600 adults using a special goniometer and compared these values to measures obtained radiographically. Yilmaz et al9 adopted a universal standard goniometer to estimate the full extension carrying angle in healthy volunteers.

Van Roy et al10 adopted a protractor goniometer and an electromagnetic tracking device to estimate the carrying angle in full extension and also during flexion of the elbow joint. They noted the carrying angle is an important anatomic feature when restoration of the elbow’s function is required. In clinical practice, the carrying angle generally is assessed in full extension by radiographs or by a standard goniometer to evaluate reduction of distal humerus or radial head fractures.11,12

This study examined a noninvasive method for evaluating the carrying angle in vivo in full extension by using a digitizer suitable for orthopedic applications to acquire easily identifiable anatomical landmarks on the arm and forearm. An experimental analysis of reliability was performed by comparing repeated acquisition by the same operator and also by 2 different operators with varying levels of expertise. The major advantage of this method, other than its simple derivation, is the possibility of being adapted to a commercial digitizer and easily being used in computer technologies for assisted medical treatment during practical clinical application by providing a graphic display and qualification of anatomic and functional features of the joint.
Materials and Methods

This study received approval from the local ethics committee, and written informed consent was obtained from all participants. The right and left arms in 37 adults (17 men and 20 women) were measured. Patient age ranged from 41 to 81 years (mean age, 60.5±12.1 years). In 2 adults, only right arms were measured, obtaining a total of 72 measurements. All participants were healthy and had no symptoms or signs of relevant pathologies affecting the shoulder, elbow, and wrist joints."    (Continued via Ortho Supersite)    [Ergonomics Resources]

Landmark Points

Neck pain common ailment

Neck pain on the rise ...

"Q: While not debilitating, the pain in my neck is becoming, well, a real pain in the neck. I don't know what I did to bring it on, but is there anything I can do to make it go away?

A: Doctors estimate that 70 percent of us will be troubled by neck pain at some point in our lives. One in 10 adults hurts right now, and in some cases, the pain is bad enough to limit work and play.

Sometimes a single event such as getting rear-ended in a car crash is to blame, but usually the neck begins to ache after years of overuse or even a brief misuse of muscles and ligaments.

Today's computer-dominated workplace can be especially tough on necks because so many of us sit with shoulders slumped and heads extended toward monitors.

Why is neck pain, which often spreads to the shoulders, so common? Your neck not only supports a heavy weight, your head, but it also allows you to tilt, turn and nod. This feat requires a combination of strength and flexibility, which is provided by a complex network of muscles, bones, tendons and nerves. All of those moving parts are vulnerable to strain and injury.

There is no magic bullet for neck pain. But take heart. Neck pain is rarely a serious medical problem, and in most cases, you can manage it yourself with a combination of patience, exercises and mild pain relievers. But if you have warning signs such as arm weakness or numbness, fever, weight loss or difficulty swallowing, get medical help.

When your neck hurts, even simple movements can be painful. Although you may feel like keeping your head and neck as still as possible, start gentle neck exercises. At first, you may find it best to move your neck gently while standing under a warm shower. When that's comfortable, you can move on to specific exercises that help people break free from neck pain.

Studies suggest that exercises to strengthen neck muscles may be more effective at reducing pain than other types of activity.

A 2003 study published in the Journal of the American Medical Association looked at female office workers with chronic neck pain who followed different exercise programs.

Those who did neck strengthening exercises reported less pain than the women who stretched and did aerobics. Those who took part in even more intensive strength training, using elastic bands to provide resistance during exercises, reported the least pain and disability. They also improved their strength and range of motion.

In January 2008, Danish researchers reported similar results: A randomized trial of 48 women concluded that work-related neck pain can be relieved by regularly performing exercises that strengthen neck muscles. General workouts, by contrast, reduced the pain only slightly.

The scientists recruited women who had chronic neck pain and tightness in the muscles that run down the back of the neck and fan out toward the shoulders for more than a month during the previous year. They worked mainly on computers at banks, post offices, administrative offices and an industrial facility.

Researchers randomly assigned participants to one of three groups. One group received strength training focused on neck and shoulder muscles. The second group worked on their overall fitness by riding an exercise bike without holding on to the handlebars. The third group was counseled on workplace ergonomics, diet, health, relaxation, and stress management. The two exercise groups worked out for 20 minutes three times a week for 10 weeks.

On average, the women in the strength-training group experienced a 75 percent decrease in pain. General fitness training resulted in only a short-term decrease in pain that was too small to be considered clinically important, although the researchers did suggest that even a little reduction in pain severity could encourage people to give exercise a try. Women assigned to health counseling experienced no reduction in pain."    (Continued via Charleston.net)    [Ergonomics Resources]

Space and self management

The ergonomics of police car design ...

"Ergonomics can be defined as the applied science of equipment design. In short, the science of why your computer keyboard is at the angle it is or why that chair lump juts into your lower back. Ergonomics can be understood by knowing the reasons why someone decided to put a button in one place and not another.

Three factors — comfort; convenience and safety — form the idea of good ergonomics for each tool and piece of equipment. These factors are also considered in police vehicle design. No matter how much one fiddles with his Blackberry while driving, not many people use their vehicle as a mobile office more than law enforcement officers. For this reason, officers must spend their days in vehicles with a well thought out ergonomic design. Fortunately, patrol vehicle manufacturers study ergonomics with the law enforcement official in mind.

"Since the vehicle is essentially a mobile office, we want officers to be comfortable," says Sgt. Keith Wilson of the Michigan State Police and test driver for the Michigan State Police Vehicle (MSP) Vehicle Tests. "That consists of comfortable seating, room for their equipment, easy access to instrumentation, easy view of instrumentation and enough room to install equipment such as radars, cameras, computers, guns and things of that nature."

The comfort of officers and the twisting involved in using mobile office equipment are both a concern for vehicle manufacturers. "While different departments use laptops for different things … there is an ergonomic problem from having a computer at a 45-degree angle to the driver," says Michael Blackmer, special vehicle engineering supervisor of Ford Motor Co. "This forces the driver to twist his body [to use the equipment] even though his legs stay forward. These are all considerations that come into play when making a vehicle into a mobile office."

Officers must be able to reach equipment such as laptops, monitors and printers comfortably and safely. When ergonomics is not considered in vehicle design or in the installation of this technology, accessing this equipment causes officers to uncomfortably twist their upper body, putting pressure on the ligaments of the lower back.

"The body is not designed to twist like that," says Dr. Cheryl Mittelstedt, a Fort Atkinson, Wisconsin-based chiropractor with 22 years of experience. "However the body is designed to make corrections every time you move." She continues to explain that keeping one body segment stationary while moving the rest creates unnecessary strain. Constant wear and tear can weaken the thin ligaments in the lower back, allowing the discs to shift. This altered biomechanical state can place pressure on or cause irritation to the nerves that create the sciatic nerve.
Ergonomics issues in the mobile office

The officer keeping his watchful eye on traffic driving by values his vehicle's ergonomics more than the placement of controls and where equipment can be mounted.

Lt. Brian Moran, fleet manager of the Los Angeles County Sheriff's Department and head of the Los Angeles Sheriff's Department Police Vehicle (LASD) Vehicle Tests, views ergonomics as it relates to comfort: how the officer can get in and out of the car, how comfortable it is to work in, and whether it lends him the ability to do his job effectively.

"The concern is not always how comfortable it is to sit in, but whether the vehicle provides the ability to accelerate in order to respond in an emergency traffic situation," Moran adds.

Considerations also arise over the equipment officers wear on their duty belts. When a right-handed officer wears his weapon on his right side, the holster can interfere with the seat belt. This can cause the holster to become unsnapped or entangled in the belt when exiting the vehicle.

However, the officer is backed by vehicle manufacturers, which respond to common design faults and complaints from law enforcement officers. For instance, Ford previously designed a seat with the padding carved out from the bottom of the seat back, providing additional room for the officer's weapon and handheld radio. "An important thing we can do for [officers] is to keep them comfortable, because they are sitting in that seat so much," Blackmer stresses.

The vehicle's ergonomic design becomes more complicated with the addition of communications, computer and accessory mounts. Knowing that each agency sets up its patrol vehicles differently, vehicle manufacturers face challenges when it comes to balancing efficient communications and smart ergonomic design. "When an agency or department purchases a laptop mount, this creates a couple of problems and some risk," explains Blackmer. "When it's opened, it could block out the radio, which might be bothersome. It could block the trunk-release button, the climate control, ashtray, cup holders or anything on that center stack." Ultimately, since the mount is an aftermarket purchase, departments installing any additional equipment should weigh access to communications and accessories versus the convenience of the mount.

Major vehicle manufacturers, such as Ford, Chrysler and General Motors Corp., employ police advisory boards to act as a liaison and a resource for other law enforcement agencies. According to Moran, a member of all three manufacturer advisory boards, officer safety has also been discussed as it pertains to airbag deployment and the relationship of different mounts and equipment."    (Continued via Officer.com)    [Ergonomics Resources]

AFL - CIO Report Workplaces Not as Safe as OSHA Claims

Not quite as good as we thought ...

"While OSHA has stated that workplaces are safer than ever and that fatality, injury and illness rates are on the decline, a new AFL-CIO report contradicts these claims, suggesting that workplaces may not be as safe as the agency professes.

AFL-CIO’s 2008 Death on the Job report, which was released in anticipation of the 20th annual Workers Memorial Day on April 28, points out that the latest figures released by the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) revealed that there were 5,840 workplace deaths due to traumatic injuries in 2006, an increase of 106 over the 5,734 deaths reported in 2005. These numbers reflect the final BLS fatality data and are higher than the preliminary numbers released in August 2007.

On an average day, 153 workers lose their lives as a result of workplace injuries and disease, and another 11,233 are injured, the report read. AFL-CIO emphasized that these figures are telling of the weaknesses in the country's workplace safety laws and penalties. OSHA's lack of sufficient resources, the report said, fails to protect workers adequately as few inspectors and low penalties make the threat of an OSHA inspection hollow for many employers.

According to the report, there are 2,094 OSHA inspectors (821 federal and 1,273 state inspectors) for the approximately 130 million U.S. workers. At this rate, federal OSHA inspectors are only able to inspect workplaces, on average, once every 133 years, and state OSHA inspectors on average once every 65 years, the report stated.

In addition, the report concluded that in FY 2007, the average OSHA penalty for employers who allowed "conditions creating a substantial probability of death or serious physical harm to workers" was $909. It also found that the average national total penalty in fatality investigations was $10,133.

"Our nation's system of rules and enforcement has fallen embarrassingly short of its goal of ensuring workplace safety," said AFL-CIO President John Sweeney. "America's workers simply can't afford four more years of Bush administration-style cuts, rollbacks and opposition to new safety protections.”
Nurse Laments Lack of Safety Protections

Rebecca Rhoades, a nurse from Cedar Rapids, Mich., is an example of a worker affected by this apparent dearth of safety protections. Rhoades hurt her back several times while lifting patients at the hospital where she worked. After her first injury, she said OSHA did not ensure her future safety either by requiring the hospital to offer lifts or mandating training in safe patient handling.

When Rhoades hurt her back a second time and reported the injury to the hospital, they placed her under working restrictions for only 6 weeks. She was then ordered to assume her original duties, which continued to weaken her back."    (Continued via Occupational Hazards)    [Ergonomics Resources]

Workers Battle Over The Office Thermostat

Yes, they are still arguing about office temperatures ...

Forget international summits on environmental policy. An ugly war against climate change is probably being waged in your workplace.

The scene is the same in many an office: Sally in Accounting shivers at her desk bundled in a wool sweater, while Tim in Human Resources sweats through the 10 a.m. meeting. The thermostat is set at 70 degrees, but both workers are getting hot under their white collars.

Extreme office temperature consistently ranks as a pet peeve among office workers in informal surveys. Finding a climate that makes everyone happy is next to impossible, because individuals can experience the same temperature differently. Factor in old buildings with outdated heating and cooling systems, and you've got a widespread workplace woe.

"My fingers get so cold when I'm working, I can barely type on my keyboard," said Robin Clay, a project manager at a bank in Belfast, Maine. She sometimes wears her coat in the office, which is chilly year-round, she said. "I don't know which makes me crankier, freezing in the winter or freezing in the summer," she said.

But more than just workers' moods are affected by uncomfortable temperatures, according to recent research. Alan Hedge, a professor of ergonomics at Cornell University, is completing his third study into the effects of climate on worker productivity. Using software that records the keystrokes of about 30 workers in a New Jersey office, Hedge found that performance dropped and errors rose when conditions were perceived as too cold.

"If you are thermally comfortable, then you actually do better than if you are freezing to death in the building," Hedge said.

Women tend to run cooler than men, thanks to lighter clothing, less body hair and a tendency to move around less, he said.

A temperature range of 72 to 76 degrees is ideal, Hedge said. According to the American Society of Heating, Refrigerating and Air-Conditioning Engineers, 68 to 74 degrees in the winter and 73 to 79 degrees in the summer should suit 80 percent or more of a building's occupants. The Occupational Safety and Health Administration recommends a range of 68 to 76 degrees.

Building designs and occupancy estimates often inaccurately account for the heat generated by personal computers, one of which can produce the warmth of a human body, Hedge said.

Doug Melton, a communications and control technician at Spectra Energy in Knoxville, Tenn., deals with that reality every day. A thermostat in his company's 1960s-era building controls both a conference room and an adjoining room housing networking equipment that must be kept cool to function properly. When employees crank up the heat and forget to turn it back down, the risk of equipment shutdowns and damage rises right along with the mercury."    (Continued via Courant.com)    [Ergonomics Resources]

Earth Day Going Green in the Office Just Got Easier

Workers care about making their office green ...

"According to recent national survey commissioned by Smead, 77 percent of office workers said buying paper office products made from trees grown and harvested in a sustainable manner was important to them.

The Smead survey found that while environmental considerations do play a significant role in corporate purchasing decisions and many companies large and small are adopting green initiatives, the interest in green-at-the-office appears largely driven by the individual. Among those surveyed from large employers (500+ employees), 42 percent said their companies have green corporate guidelines and 69 percent said their companies switched brands to get greener products. Among those surveyed at small companies (under 500 employees), only 26 percent said their companies had green guidelines, yet 54 percent had switched brands to obtain greener products.

The survey also found that 66 percent of office workers agreed that they could be more green in the workplace, and 73 percent indicated that they planned to increase their purchases of green products in the coming year. Additionally, nearly 80 percent of those surveyed make a point to recycle paper at their workplace and 40 percent of respondents said they purchased an office product because it was made from recycled material.

To meet the growing consumer demand for green filing products, Smead, a leading supplier of office filing products and records management systems, has been certified as a member of the Sustainable Forestry Initiative (SFI) Certified Sourcing Program. The SFI program provides rigorous environmental standards and performance measures that integrate the protection of our environment with the perpetual, sustainable growing and harvesting of trees.

Smead is the only manufacturer of filing products to have received this certification, which guarantees that the paper used to make Smead products comes from forests that are grown and harvested in an environmentally sustainable manner.

“Our customers increasingly value environmental stewardship and sustainability,” said Sharon Avent, Smead president and CEO. “We take great care to implement practices and procedures that are right for the environment and right for our customers.”

Smead's participation in the SFI program is a new component of its environmental stewardship initiative, which started in 1989 with the introduction of post-consumer waste into its paper products and has evolved over the past 20 years to include a line of 100 percent recycled products as well numerous internal initiatives to reduce, reuse and recycle in every aspect of its business."    (Continued via Occupational Hazards)    [Ergonomics Resources]

Ergonomics Risk Assessment Determining When Why Who and How You Should Perform One

Why and when you should do risk assessments ...

"As ergonomics increasingly becomes a core component of safety programs around the country, the methods used to evaluate and define the ergonomics risk present in a job develop into a critical element of the ergonomics process. When a company begins to look at ergonomics and how to implement an effective process, the basic job analysis is often the starting point, and the point that defines how a company will approach the analysis and abatement of ergonomics risk.

Identification of ergonomics stressors that are linked with the development of musculoskeletal disorders is a key element of any ergonomics activity. In most cases, stressors successfully can be identified using observational and checklist-driven techniques. The detection of ergonomics risk does not require advanced tools or techniques.

This observational approach often the most efficient method of gathering data on the stressors in the working environment, but the density of this data is limited. There is no measure of exposure, risk or any data that will provide a quantitative measure that can be tracked (i.e. improvement of process). The positive characteristics of this type of stressor identification process are the ease in which it is performed, the low cost of the assessment and quick turnaround times. A simple observation approach often can be used to feed a quick fix of an obvious ergonomics stressor. As the situation becomes more complicated, intricate or costly, the need for a more sophisticated approach may present itself.

When a company is interested in advancing its ergonomics job analysis process, the next level of assessment involves the use of risk assessment tools. Now, the term “tool” is used lightly, in that ergonomics risk assessment methods largely are paper-based, with some methods computerized for ease of use. There seldom are complicated pieces of equipment involved, except for a force gauge in some situations. Prior to using an ergonomics risk assessment tool, a company should ask four simple questions:

* Why should we use an ergonomics risk assessment tool?
* Who will be performing the assessments?
* How do we use the risk assessment tool correctly?
* When should we use a specific ergonomics risk assessment tool?

This paper will walk through these four questions to provide a guide to adding ergonomics risk assessments to a safety or ergonomics program.

Why and When Should You Perform an Ergonomics Risk Assessment?

Where ergonomics is concerned, there are often three questions asked:

* Which jobs pose the greatest risk?
* How much is too much?
* How can I show improvements were made?

One of the first steps in ergonomics evaluations is to identify the stressors present in the jobs. This identification usually is accomplished with a subjective evaluation. The evaluator may identify such things as high repetition, high force and/or extreme posture as being present in a job without any measurements. While this type of evaluation may be effective for determining which jobs may need further investigation, the severity of the identified stressors often is difficult to express and/or document. Furthermore, it is difficult to compare different jobs or tasks within a job to determine a prioritization of ergonomics efforts. This leads to the question: “Which jobs pose the greatest risk?”

Ergonomic interventions may not completely eliminate the stressors. They may be reduced but still be present. Additionally, as long as humans are involved in the workplace, there will be ergonomic stressors placed on those individuals. Therein lays the question: “How much is too much?”

Some interventions may address a stressor identified in the original evaluation and create another stressor. Therefore, once interventions are in place they should be evaluated to ensure they eliminated or reduced the stressors identified in the original evaluation without creating another hazard. This begs the question: “How can improvements be shown and evaluated?”

Some answers to these questions may be found through the use of ergonomics risk assessment tools. The use of quantitative or semi-quantitative evaluation tools provides the evaluator with numeric output with which they may evaluate the risk for the development of MSDs for a given job. This output also may allow them to compare relative risk of multiple jobs or tasks, thereby identifying the jobs or tasks that pose the greatest risk. This may assist the evaluator in the prioritization of ergonomics efforts.

These tools also may provide the evaluator or designer with recommended limits to the stressors present in a job, task or job design. These limits may be used to assist in reducing the risk to safe levels. Furthermore, the results may be used to compare the same job or task before and after an intervention is put in place."    (Continued via Occupational Hazards)    [Ergonomics Resources]

Neck Pain After Extended Computer Use

Stretch those muscles ...

"You sit down at your computer, ready to put in a full day's work and make some serious headway on your projects. You know you'll easily be spending 8 to 10 hours sitting in front of the computer.

You've set up your computer workstation as effectively as you can figure. Your keyboard is appropriately placed in front of you and your monitor is directly in front of you at eye level. So why will your neck start to hurt? Why will your effectiveness be destroyed by the nagging, aggravating neck pain that seems to show up more and more frequently?

If you are regularly spending a lot of time in front of a computer, you have to realize that your body is going to begin to change and adapt to take on this frequent activity. Your front neck muscles are slowly growing shorter and tighter, while the muscles in the back of your neck are growing longer and weaker.

The back muscles are also growing full of spasm and knots while they are forced to hold up your ten pound head for hours at a time. You would think they would grow stronger from having to hold your head up all the time, but it just never seems to work that way. As they get longer, they are growing weaker, and the job of holding up your head becomes increasingly difficult.

The best options are to do exercises and activities that will counteract the extended computer usage. The rule of thumb is to spend time stretching the front of your neck and strengthening the muscles in the back. This same rule applies to anyone looking to improve posture.

To stretch the front of the neck, turn your head slightly to one side, about forty-five degrees. If you turn your head to the right, you are stretching the left and vice versa. Place your right hand on left side of your chest and pull down gently as you tilt your head back. Stop immediately if you feel sharp pain or any dizziness.

To strengthen the back of the neck, the easiest route would be with a neck exercise machine. Some health clubs have them, but they are more of a specialized device. You can also fold up a towel and place it against a wall. Put the back of your head against the towel and push into it. Hold for a few seconds and release. This is an isometric contraction.

If you are unable to complete some of these movements, or you find that you can't painlessly move your head backwards, it may be time to visit a chiropractor. The chiropractor will perform a spinal adjustment and restore the normal movement of your spine.

Your neck shouldn't hurt just because your sitting in front of your computer. You've got to work and pain can be a nuisance, but it doesn't have to be there with a little effort."    (Continued via Ezome Articles)    [Ergonomics Resources]

Making sure your boss is your only pain in the ass at work

Tips for creating a pain free workplace ...

"Work has been a real pain the ass lately. But it’s not for the reasons you might think. It’s my chair. Or maybe it’s the fact that I sit in it for eight hours a day.

If you spend any time at a computer (and who doesn't these days), then you need a lesson in ergonomics. Whether you are an occasional Internet surfer or a full-time desk jockey, you have probably felt a twinge in your wrist or throbbing in your lower back commonly associated with repetitive motion injuries and/or sitting for prolonged periods. Follow these helpful tips to enhance comfort and productivity and avoid injury.

Posture: Ensure you are sitting up straight in a position that keeps your spine in neutral alignment. Knees, elbows and hips should maintain 90 degree angles (or greater). If you are mindful of how you sit and find that your work station is preventing correct posture, read on.

Work Station: Take inventory of your working environment, starting with your chair. It should give you adequate support and allow you to make adjustments. Monitor, keyboard and mouse locations should allow for working close to the body while maintaining those 90 degree angles. Frequently used items (such as the telephone) should be in easy reach.

Lighting: Overhead lighting should be as natural as possible. Your monitor screen should be relatively free of glare (glare shields are an inexpensive alternative). Task lighting closer to your work should be comfortable on your eyes.

Breaks: Frequent breaks are really key. Every hour (at least), you should get up, move around and stretch. There is a great software program called RSIGuard (www.rsiguard.com) and among its many tools to reduce repetitive strain injuries is a feature called BreakTimer, which analyzes your work intensity and encourages stretching by demonstrating 31 stretches right on your screen.

Ergonomic Products: Once you have analyzed your work station and assessed your needs, you might consider some of these products if your budget allows:

Logitech Thumb Wheel Mouse — I had some very bad habits with my mouse and was unable to keep my wrist straight while mousing, so I started to get some wrist pain. After I picked up this product for just $39.99 at Staples, the problem was solved.

Kensington Expandable Articulat-ing Keyboard Platform — I love this product, which easily mounts right under your work surface. It allows for multiple adjustments and then tucks neatly away when you are not using it. $250 at Staples.

Plantronics Cordless Headset — I am a multi-tasker, and as such, frequently type while talking on the phone. Tucking the handset into the crook of my neck for several years caught up with me and gave me unrelenting pain in my neck and shoulder. This device was a life saver for me! There are various models available at Staples starting at $199.

Herman Miller Aeron Chair — this is currently on my wish list. Hailed as the holy grail of desk chairs, the Aeron’s PostureFit technology has become the gold standard in ergonomic seating. The mesh seating provides great support and allows air to pass through, keeping the sitter cool and comfortable while minimizing pressure. Retailing for $749 and up, it ain’t cheap, but can sometimes be found on Craigslist or eBay for much cheaper."    (Continued via Ventura County Reporter)
[Ergonomics Resources]   [Visit Ergonomics Store for products mentioned]

Culture Leadership Critical to Reducing Workplace Injuries

Lack of leadership can lead to lack of workplace safety ...

"A behavioral safety expert, who testified during the April 1 Senate Employment and Workplace Protections Subcommittee hearing on the dangerous patterns of workplace safety violations, spoke to OccupationalHazards.com and emphasized that organizational leaders can drive company culture to make workplace safety a priority.

Carmen Bianco, an executive consultant with Behavioral Safety Technology (BST), asserted that company leaders significantly can influence the effectiveness of injury reduction programs through the cultures they create. If the culture only focuses on productivity, for example, there isn’t much room for safety, Bianco said. But when companies successfully communicate that productivity cannot exist without safety, they can better reduce on-the-job injuries.

“[Company leaders] communicate their message through the things they focus on, setting the right vision, challenging and inspiring the workforce,” he said. “They really get around and embrace that vision, to build the team and collaborative environment where everyone's voice is heard.”

These leaders, he added, are “building a culture in which they value every employee and what they bring to the table.”

Bianco was hesitant to presume that the companies named during the April 1 hearing – BP, McWane and Cintas, for example – were at fault because the company CEO or other organizational leaders were not effectively communicating a culture of safety throughout the company. Without conducting an assessment of these specific companies, he said, “it's difficult to tell what has been going on there.”
Initiating Safety Culture

According to Bianco, studies of more than 150 sites in North America show that companies reduce injuries more effectively with comprehensive employee-engagement approaches than with traditional safety programs alone. Companies in the study group achieved an average 25 percent reduction in injury rates after the first year, increasing to an average 65 percent improvement after five years, he said.

In Bianco’s experience, he said some companies are willing to place safety at the highest priority, but are uncertain how to do so or how to make the corporate culture fully supportive of safety.

He added that in many of the companies he has worked with, company leadership may drive the culture of safety in the right direction, but certain subcultures within the same organization are weak in communicating the message.
The Effect of Fragmented Departments

As an example, Bianco set up the following scenario: Company A, an organization of 1,000 people, has a standard leadership team comprised of a CEO and various departmental leaders. BST completes an assessment and determines that the corporate level is supportive of safety. But when examining each of the company's departments, the analysis finds that some leaders haven’t earned the trust of their workers, are controlling or don't appear to respect others' opinions.

“So you now have work group that is fragmented,” he said. “They aren't working together, they aren't bringing good or bad news to the boss, and are not reporting injuries because they are scared to."    (Continued via Occupational Hazards)    [Ergonomics Resources]

Sign language interpreters at high ergonomic risk

Sign language interpreters at high ergonomic risk ...

"Sign language interpreting is one of the highest-risk professions for ergonomic injury, according to a new study conducted by Rochester Institute of Technology. The research indicates that interpreting causes more physical stress to the extremities than high-risk tasks conducted in industrial settings, including assembly line work. It also found a direct link between an increase in the mental and cognitive stress of the interpreter and an increase in the risk of musculoskeletal injuries such as carpal tunnel syndrome and tendonitis.

The research, conducted through RIT’s Department of Industrial and Systems Engineering, is one of the first to catalog the effect of signing on interpreters and show a correlation between mental and cognitive stress and increased ergonomic risk. The results of the study are available in the March 2008 edition of the peer-reviewed journal Ergonomics and were also presented at the 2007 biennial conference of the Registry of Sign Language Interpreters.

“The impact of repetitive stress in industrial and office settings has been well documented, but there is less data on the risk of ergonomic injury to sign language interpreters,” says Matthew Marshall, associate professor of industrial and systems engineering at RIT and a leader of the research group. “Our findings indicate that interpreters may actually be at a higher risk of injury than other professions.

Marshall notes that the impact of injury on interpreters and its effect on retention is a major issue in the deaf community because any reduction in the interpreter population would have an adverse effect on the full societal participation of deaf and hard-of-hearing individuals.

“Gaining a better understanding of the factors contributing to interpreter injury can show us ways to intervene and reduce the risks,” adds Steve Nelson, director of access services for the National Technical Institute for the Deaf. “Informed intervention can help drastically reduce injuries and keep much-needed skilled interpreters at work."    (Continued via PhysOrg)    [Ergonomics Resources]

Ergonomics Risk Assessment Determining When Why Who and How You Should Perform One

Ergonomic risk assessments ...

"In Part I of this two-part series, the author examines why and when ergonomics risk assessments should be performed.

As ergonomics increasingly becomes a core component of safety programs around the country, the methods used to evaluate and define the ergonomics risk present in a job develop into a critical element of the ergonomics process. When a company begins to look at ergonomics and how to implement an effective process, the basic job analysis is often the starting point, and the point that defines how a company will approach the analysis and abatement of ergonomics risk.

Identification of ergonomics stressors that are linked with the development of musculoskeletal disorders is a key element of any ergonomics activity. In most cases, stressors successfully can be identified using observational and checklist-driven techniques. The detection of ergonomics risk does not require advanced tools or techniques.

This observational approach often the most efficient method of gathering data on the stressors in the working environment, but the density of this data is limited. There is no measure of exposure, risk or any data that will provide a quantitative measure that can be tracked (i.e. improvement of process). The positive characteristics of this type of stressor identification process are the ease in which it is performed, the low cost of the assessment and quick turnaround times. A simple observation approach often can be used to feed a quick fix of an obvious ergonomics stressor. As the situation becomes more complicated, intricate or costly, the need for a more sophisticated approach may present itself.

When a company is interested in advancing its ergonomics job analysis process, the next level of assessment involves the use of risk assessment tools. Now, the term “tool” is used lightly, in that ergonomics risk assessment methods largely are paper-based, with some methods computerized for ease of use. There seldom are complicated pieces of equipment involved, except for a force gauge in some situations. Prior to using an ergonomics risk assessment tool, a company should ask four simple questions:

* Why should we use an ergonomics risk assessment tool?
* Who will be performing the assessments?
* How do we use the risk assessment tool correctly?
* When should we use a specific ergonomics risk assessment tool?

This paper will walk through these four questions to provide a guide to adding ergonomics risk assessments to a safety or ergonomics program.

Why and When Should You Perform an Ergonomics Risk Assessment?

Where ergonomics is concerned, there are often three questions asked:

* Which jobs pose the greatest risk?
* How much is too much?
* How can I show improvements were made?

One of the first steps in ergonomics evaluations is to identify the stressors present in the jobs. This identification usually is accomplished with a subjective evaluation. The evaluator may identify such things as high repetition, high force and/or extreme posture as being present in a job without any measurements. While this type of evaluation may be effective for determining which jobs may need further investigation, the severity of the identified stressors often is difficult to express and/or document. Furthermore, it is difficult to compare different jobs or tasks within a job to determine a prioritization of ergonomics efforts. This leads to the question: “Which jobs pose the greatest risk?"    (Continued via Occupational Hazards)    [Ergonomics Resources]

Survey Reveals Reasons for Presenteeism

Lack of sick days costs money ...

"According to a new poll by LifeCare Inc., a Shelton, Conn.-based provider of specialty care services in the work/life industry, the number one reason people go to work when they are sick is their sense of obligation to co-workers. In the three consecutive years that LifeCare has conducted this poll, this is the first time this response topped the list. In the past two polls, "too risky to take time off" was the leading response.

The percentage of respondents who do not go to work when they're sick has always remained at the six or seven percent mark, significantly below the level that employers widely say they desire. "It's well known that employees who work sick are actually creating a greater risk for their co-workers and a greater risk of lost productivity for their organizations," said LifeCare CEO Peter G. Burki. "Even so, our workplace cultures don't seem to be getting the message through that taking a little time off when you're ill is not only wiser but also acceptable."

Studies have suggested that presenteeism (working but not functioning at full capacity due to illness or other personal distractions) costs U.S. businesses $150 billion or more annually in lost productivity.

Fifteen percent of poll respondents said they are too busy to stay home, even when they are sick, and 8 percent said they save their sick days for vacation time."    (Continued via Occupational Health & Safety)    [Ergonomics Resources]

Neutral Position - Fingers, Wrist & Forearm

Finding the neutral positions ...

"In ergonomics, you will frequently hear the term “neutral positioning”. Let’s clarify what this term means. This is part 1 of a 2 part series discussing the fingers, wrist and forearm. Part 2 will discuss the elbows, shoulder and neck.

Definition

According to the medical dictionary at thefreedictionary.com, the neutral position of the arm is a body position to be assumed that prevents cumulative trauma to the arm. It incorporates proper placement of the wrist, elbow, and shoulder.

The Importance of Neutral Positioning

Awkward positioning at your computer can increase pressure or stretch on the nerves or cause friction and strain as the tendons move through or around pulley systems. This can lead to chronic inflammation and pain. Being positioned in the more relaxed and neutral position can help ease strain on the body and improve your work comfort.

The Fingers

The fingers should be relaxed and slightly curved as if they are resting over a large ball. Many people tend to hold their fingers too straight. Holding the fingers rigidly stiff is actually quite stressful to the small muscles in the hand. Two common causes of awkward finger positioning include 1) finger nails that are too long causing the finger to straighten when activating the keyboard with the pad of the fingers and 2) tension or stress causing the computer operator to pound the keyboard.

For more information, see Typing Style - Repetitive Strain Injuries are NOT Just About the Keyboard.

The Wrist

Poor wrist positioning is often implicated in carpal tunnel syndrome and wrist tendinitis. Maintaining a neutral wrist position can be critical to comfortable typing. The neutral wrist position is with the wrist flat (not bent forward or back) and not angled side-to-side. For every fifteen degrees that the wrist is bent forward or back, increased pressure is placed on the nerve that runs through the carpal tunnel.

Common causes of wrist pain include 1) planting the wrist down on the desk or wrist rest in front of the keyboard and 2) a keyboard that is too small causing the wrist to angle toward the small finger when placing the fingers on the home keys.

For more information, see The Wrist & Repetitive Strain Injuries"    (Continued via Bella Online, Marji Hajic)    [Ergonomics Resources]

Ergonomics is an important aspect of therapy

Occupational Therapists using ergonomics to prevent injuries ...

"Today’s society is being dominated by two divergent issues: An aging population and a fast-moving world. The competing interests often require the expertise of occupational therapists who help people in their homes and workplaces improve and maintain their ability to perform daily tasks.

April is National Occupational Therapy Month. During the next four weeks, graduate students in Misericordia University’s Occupational Therapy Department will examine issues and situations that professionally licensed OTs tackle every day in their practices.

An important aspect of occupational therapy is helping people get the most out of their everyday lives. One method OTs use is ergonomics, or the science of designing a patient’s environment to help them reach their highest level of function. It can be as simple as adjusting a person’s posture while they perform daily work or as complex as making modifications to an entire workplace.

“By using the principles of ergonomics, work productivity and efficiency can improve,” Misericordia University graduate OT student Erin Moravec said. “Injuries can also be prevented and people with pre-existing injuries or chronic medical conditions are provided with equal work opportunities.”

Moravec has provided therapy for children with cerebral palsy during a Misericordia service trip to Romania and has honed her clinical skills with adult patients during a rotation at St. Joseph’s Twin Tier Rehabilitation Center in Elmira, N.Y. Her training and experience as an occupational therapy student offer a glimpse into the many applications and benefits of the profession.

For example, OTs can work with employers and companies to develop ergonomic guidelines. They can assess an environment and make recommendations to the employer as well as provide on-site job training to ensure proper ergonomics is achieved.

OTs can ensure proper ergonomics by evaluating the workplace and providing recommendations, and an ergonomic risk analysis checklist. They can give onsite job training and educate employers and employees about potential job-related injuries and the appropriate prevention methods.

Employers, with the assistance of OTs, can design pre-hire screenings for particular jobs that will help reduce the risk of a workplace injury, and create an essential functions document that specifically targets certain jobs. An OT also can determine reasonable accommodations that comply with the Americans with Disabilities Act and provide or recommend tools and devices that prevent injury."    (Continued via The Times Leader, Diane Costulas)    [Ergonomics Resources]

Occupational Therapy

UK Cuts Noise Limits for Entertainment Industry

Keeping those decibel's down ...

"Great Britain's Control of Noise at Work Regulations 2005 took effect for the music and entertainment sectors on April 6, making them equal with EU regulations and all other sectors where the regulations have been in force since April 2006. The noise regulations apply to pubs, clubs, amplified live music events, orchestras, and other premises where live music or recorded music is played. The text of the regulations are available at www.opsi.gov.uk/si/si2005/20051643.htm.

"Thousands of people are exposed to loud noise at work, with 170,000 people in the UK suffering deafness, tinnitus or other ear conditions, as a result of exposure to excessive noise at work," according to the Health and Safety Executive. "These regulations aim to ensure workers’ hearing is protected from excessive noise at work, implement a European Commission Directive, and replace the Noise at Work Regulations 1989."

There is a worker exposure limit value of 87 decibels, taking account of any reduction in exposure provided by hearing protection. The regulations will require employers to:

* assess the risks to employees from noise at work;
* take action to reduce the noise exposure that produces those risks;
* provide employees with hearing protection if it is not possible to reduce the noise exposure enough using other methods;
* make sure the legal limits on noise exposure are not exceeded;
* provide employees with information, instruction, and training;
* carry out health surveillance where there is a risk to health.

Employees are required to comply with the measures their employers introduce under the regulations, including wearing hearing protection when required and also reporting any defect or problem in using them. Employees also are required to report during working hours for health surveillance where this is required."    (Continued via Occupational Health & Safety)    [Ergonomics Resources]

Kids With Cell Phones Not as Safe Crossing Streets

Distracted kids are at risk when crossing road ...

"Children who talk on a cell phone may not be able to cross the road safely.

A study being presented in Miami Friday at the National Conference on Child Health Psychology, hosted by the University of Miami, finds that children who are distracted this way may be more likely to be hit by a vehicle or cross streets in an unsafe manner.

"It's important for children to know, as it is for drivers, the importance of safety when talking on the cell phone," said study author Katherine Byington, a doctoral candidate in psychology at the University of Alabama at Birmingham. "We need to educate children and parents of the risk and danger that's involved in that."

"The message from this study is that children, particularly in this age group, are certainly at higher risk due to distraction," added Dr. Judy Schaechter, an associate professor of pediatrics at the University of Miami Miller School of Medicine and director of the Injury Free Coalition for Kids of Miami. "Of course, one doesn't know what would happen in real life, if the caller on the other side were not a researcher but instead was your best friend, the boy you like, your recent ex or the parent you're arguing with. I would imagine those types of conversations would put more of a demand on a child's attention and thus be more dangerous."

A related study, also from the University of Alabama at Birmingham, found that one-third of children aged 10 to 12 own a cell phone.

According to background information from the authors, the seemingly simple act of crossing the street actually involves complex brain processes. And "unintentional pedestrian injury" is a leading cause of death in middle childhood.

At the same time, more and younger children have cell phones. "There's a big market to children with cell phones these days," Byington said. "Kids don't drive at that age. They walk to school or friends' houses. We wanted to see if that would interfere with safety crossing streets."

One marketing research firm recently estimated that 54 percent of 8- to-12-year olds would own cell phones by 2009, or double the rate in 2006.

The first study, led by Byington, was small yet seems to be the first of its kind.

Seventy-seven children aged 10 to 12 were set up in a virtual-reality environment which simulated a street with traffic coming from both directions. Children stood on a platform (the "curb"). When they stepped down from the curb, an avatar crossed the virtual street in their place.

Children practiced the exercise six times while talking on a cell phone and six times while not talking on a cell phone.

"The children who were on the cell phone and were distracted during their crossing were significantly more likely to get hit by a car in the virtual environment," Byington reported. "They were getting hit or almost getting hit at least [once], while the kids that weren't on the cell phone didn't get hit [at all]."    (Continued via washingtonpost.com)    [Ergonomics Resources]

OSHA Alliance in Massachusetts Aims to Save Hearing

Attempts to control workplace noise levels ...

"Reducing noise hazards for employees in central and western Massachusetts is the goal of a new alliance among OSHA's Springfield Area Office, American Safety and Supply Inc. of Springfield, and Industrial Hearing Testing of Auburn, Mass.

"Continual exposure to high noise levels can lead to hearing loss," said Mary Hoye, OSHA's area director in Springfield. "The key to preventing hearing loss is in knowing how to identify, address, and minimize workplace noise hazards, be that workplace a factory, construction site, or other venue."

Under the alliance, OSHA, ASSI, and IHT will work jointly to develop and deliver training and education programs, educational materials, and resources to the region's employers that will focus on noise-related safety and health issues, and preventing hearing loss in both construction and general industry workplaces. The first training session is expected to be held later this spring."    (Continued via Occupational Health & Safety)    [Ergonomics Resources]

World’s first Vibrating Braille cell phone developed in Japan

A technological step to help visually impaired users ...

"A former teacher at a school for the blind and a professor from Tsukuba University of Technology have developed a cell phone that sends out vibrations representing Braille symbols to enable people with sight and hearing difficulties to communicate. The phone, reportedly the first of its kind in the world, was created by 73-year-old former teacher Sadao Hasegawa, Tsukuba University of Technology professor Nobuyuki Sasaki and other developers. When a caller pushes numbers on the keypad corresponding to Braille symbols, two terminals attached to the receiver's phone vibrate at a specific rate to create a message.

apanese Braille uses six dots to represent the Japanese syllabary. Using the numbers 1, 2, 4, 5, 7 and 8, on cell phones to represent these six dots, it's possible to form Braille symbols. The developers are now working to make the devices that convert keypad information into vibrations smaller than their current size (16 centimeters by 10 centimeters). If vibration-based Braille is applied more widely, it may enable information to be "broadcast" to several blind people at once."    (Continued via Textually.org, Fareastgizmos.com)    [Ergonomics Resources]

Alvaro Fernandez: Can Videogames Make You a Better Driver?

New study effects of video games on driving ...

"A few weeks ago, in my post on Why Do You Turn Down the Radio When You're Lost, we discussed some of the mental skills required for driving-and why multitasking behind the wheel is a bad idea.

Now, the $1 Million Question is, "Can training help one multitask, and drive, better?". Specifically, can some video games do so?.

The New York Times just published this article: "Are You a Good Driver? Here's How to Find Out". A few quotes:

- "COULD a video game make you a better driver? More important, could computer software prevent teenagers from making fatal mistakes or even weed out older drivers whose debilities make them crash-prone?"

- "There are already programs like AAA's Roadwise Review (about $15), which is intended to help older people evaluate their driving."

- "There are other programs that will test mental agility and then use subsequent computer training sessions to improve a driver's skills. One such program is an online application called DriveFit ($89), which was developed by CogniFit, an Israeli company specializing in cognitive training software. DriveFit uses visual and memory tests to measure 12 driving-related cognitive abilities."

A question we often get when talking with insurance companies about our just released Brain Fitness Market Report, "So, can we really train drivers to act smarter behind the wheel"? Well, it depends of what "smarter" means (we are not aware of brain training programs to make drivers avoid alcohol, or sleep-inducing medicaments, before driving), but there is growing evidence that specific cognitive skills that are important for driving can, indeed, be trained, resulting in better driving outcomes.

... In short, more likely than not, we can reply YES to the question used to open the New York Times article. A well-designed video game CAN make one a better driver.

Of course, this is an emerging field, and much more research needs to be done before applications become mainstream, but the field certainly deserves more attention, research dollars, and engagement by insurance companies to design and conduct real-world trials."    (Continued via The Huffington Post)    [Ergonomics Resources]

Changing Perceptions of Slips and Falls One Step at a Time

A better understanding of slip amd fall accidents ...

"While much attention is focused on falls from heights, same-level falls can be debilitating and even fatal. Shoe choices, flooring options and even employee perceptions can impact same-level slips and falls.

Pinpointing the causes of a same-level fall is like investigating a crime scene ... there’s always more than meets the eye. And, like the crime scene investigator, Liberty Mutual research scientists use a multifaceted investigative approach to study the physical, psychological and environmental factors that can impact the big picture.

Bringing together experts from Liberty Mutual’s Center for Physical Ergonomics, Center for Behavioral Sciences and Center for Injury Epidemiology, we examined a range of potential contributors to slip-and-fall incidents, including flooring choices, conditions of walking surfaces, foot protection and employee perceptions of slip hazards.
Exposing Causes of Falls

A team of Liberty Mutual researchers completed a field investigation that illustrates a multifaceted approach to slips-and-falls research. The study applied tribology (the interactions between sliding surfaces with respect to friction, wear and lubrication), psychology and epidemiology to examine, among other things, the relationship between worker perceptions of slipperiness and actual friction measures.

Isolated friction measurements historically have been used to gauge floor surface safety. However, we know these measurements do not tell the whole story. Other factors such as friction variations and individual perceptions of slipperiness have important safety implications. Friction variations, which are the changes in friction that can be present on a given surface, are a critical factor.

When people unknowingly encounter a change in friction due to contamination or wear, they may not have time to adjust their gaits and avoid falls. Worker perception of floor surface slipperiness is another critical area of study. It is important to understand individual perceptions of floor surface slipperiness because perceptions often influence behaviors. When individuals perceive a floor surface to be slippery, they typically alter their gait to avoid a slip or fall. If, on the other hand, the individual does not perceive the floor to be slippery, or underestimates its slipperiness, he or she is more likely to be caught off guard and fall.

... Perceptions vs. Reality

As part of the initial data analyses, the institute’s tribology researchers compared the friction measurements taken in all 10 restaurants. Among the early findings, we found that the most slippery of the six kitchen areas studied was the sink area, followed by the fry vat, the walkthrough, the grill and the back vat. The front counter was the least slippery of the areas.

We also used the friction measurements to calculate friction variations in the key areas studied. An in-depth analysis of the measured friction variations indicated that workers had a greater than 50 percent chance of experiencing a friction reduction when stepping from one foot to the other in the studied areas.

Our findings illustrated how frequently employees encounter friction reductions in real life. Most field safety measurement practices do not include friction variations, so this was an opportunity to consider the role of such variations in slipperiness measurement.

We used statistical methods to calculate the correlation between actual friction measurements and subjective slipperiness ratings. The results describe a modest correlation between the average measured friction and the average perception rating score for each working area across all the restaurants.

For certain kitchen areas, workers could estimate actual floor slipperiness with some accuracy. In some cases, perceptions may be a useful complement to friction measurements. Equally important, the findings suggest that perceptions of floor slipperiness may be impacted by factors other than friction. For example, human factors, such as visual cues, sensory feedback and motor control, and environmental factors, such as lighting, shoe sole condition and contaminants, also may impact perception. It is important to examine the many different factors influencing perceptions in order to understand how to best focus prevention efforts."    (Continued via Occupational Hazards)    [Ergonomics Resources]

Eastern Ergonomics Conference, June 24 In New York City

Make those reservations ...

"Ergonomics, facilities, HR, occupational health, and safety professionals are already registering for the 7th Annual Eastern Ergonomics Conference (EEC), June 24, 2008 at the American Conference Center, New York City.

Continental Exhibitions, Inc., owners/producers of the EEC, is providing a new one-day conference format in response to extensive research with industry leaders and EEC alumni. The new format, which provides a core ergonomics education, allows those new to their organization's ergonomics and safety programs to quickly get up to speed by gaining a firm understanding of ergonomics concepts and strategies. The educational opportunities offered will help any organization use ergonomics to improve productivity, reduce workplace injuries and associated costs, and grow the bottom line.

Topics addressed will include: the basics of building an ergonomics program, safe material handling guidelines, best practices for a safer and more productive aging workforce, managing workers' comp costs, risk assessment, and construction safety. Immediately following the conference breakfast, Cindy Roth, CEO, Ergonomic Technologies Corporation (ETC), will deliver the opening presentation: The Business Case for Ergonomics is Stronger than Ever. ETC's work represents a wide range of industries including energy, manufacturing, transportation, and technology; their clients include Aventis, GM, Hallmark, Panasonic, Stanley Tools, and many others.

The all-inclusive registration allows attendees to select from 12 sessions in three tracks: program management, office ergonomics, and industrial & construction ergonomics. Attendees will also take part in the opening presentation, breakfast, and lunch, which is sponsored by AliMed. Those that register by June 10 save $100, and all EEC attendees receive a $50 discount on registration for the 14th Annual National Ergonomics Conference and Exposition (NECE) in Las Vegas, Dec. 2 - 5, 2008 where they can build on the basics learned at the EEC. The NECE is the largest ergonomics event in the U.S. with 80+ educational opportunities, and thousands of products on display at the Expo, which includes 3M, Ansell, Fellowes, Herman Miller, Power Pusher by NuStar, Steelcase, Thermo Fischer Scientific, and others."    (Continued