Ergonomics In The News

Comp Dollars & Sense: Ergonomics

2008-10-11T07:48:00.000-07:00

Ten steps to protect employees from MSD ...

"Making adjustments to protect your employees from musculoskeletal disorders need not be costly, difficult or frustrating. According to the Washington Department of Labor and Industries, there are a number simple strategies that you can implement at your workplace to strengthen or enhance an ergonomics program.

The department said employers can put a halt to rising injury claims and improve their programs by using the following 10 recommendations:

1. Educate and involve employees. Employees are the real experts when it comes to their jobs, and are often the best source for pointing out musculoskeletal disorders risks and hazards. Chances are, they have a solution to offer as well. Educating employees on ergonomics helps them feel more comfortable with offering suggestions and increases buy-in.

There are numerous ways to get employees involved. For example, encourage workers to participate on join labor-management committees and other advisory groups. You can also have employees participate in job hazard inspections or seek their input in developing training programs and revising safety rules.

2. Take a look at all of the available data to find problems. Use your workers' compensation claims data, OSHA 200 logs, safety committee meetings, absenteeism and turnover records, employee suggestions and any other data you have available to identify where the biggest problems are.

3. Encourage early reporting. If employees feel comfortable about coming forward with symptoms of injury early on, you have an opportunity to take care of the problem before it results in a workers' comp claim. The net result is less pain and suffering for the employee and considerable cost savings for the employer.

4. Find quick fixes to get momentum going. According to the DL&I, it is crucial not to get caught up in "analysis paralysis." It's easy with ergonomics to start looking at every little task and movement. However, sometimes there are simple solutions that could be implemented quickly with little analysis, like raising a computer or lowering a countertop. Putting these solutions into place will generate enthusiasm by demonstrating to employees, supervisors and management how effective and simple ergonomics can be.

5. Carefully analyze complex problems. Some problems are more complex than others. For some work environment issues, a careful analysis is in order. By keeping your options open at this stage, you often can find alternative solutions to the problem that you would have missed if you had moved too quickly.

6. Focus on eliminating the risk factors. Too often, employers focus only on solutions such as training employees or rotating them in and out of hazardous jobs as a fix. Training in proper work practices is an important part of ergonomics and should accompany any new equipment or procedures that are implemented. Changes to work practices and equipment often can eliminate or substantially reduce the risk factors for injury. These can be as simple as bending the knees when picking something up or adjusting a keyboard.

7. Don't just throw money at the problem. Purchasing equipment is often a very good solution to an ergonomics problem. However, changing the way something is done, rather than replacing equipment, is often the most effective way to prevent injury." (Continued via Risk & Insurance Online) [Ergonomics Resources]

Posture Exercises You Can Do Right Now

2008-10-10T07:09:00.000-07:00

If bad posture has become a norm for you, then you may have realized that it's time to do something about it. Of course, you can purchase a back or posture support to help you stand or sit straight, but you'll notice that as soon as you remove the brace, your back goes right back to the same slouched position. Wearing a posture support only gives your back and neck short-term support. What you need is a method that will enable you to correct your posture and help you to stand upright.

It's known that poor posture can lead to serious complications such as respiratory problems, back and neck pain, as well as headaches. So you see, there is a need to take measures to correct your posture. One method that is proven to help correct poor posture are posture exercises. It's the lack of muscles, which supports your spinal cord that causes you to bend over the way you do. Strengthening these muscles builds a stable structure around the bones of your spinal cord; allowing you to stand or sit straighter than before.

Performing these posture exercises a few times throughout the day for approximately 6-8 weeks will help build your back and shoulder muscles. Here are a few examples to get you started

1. Sit straight up in a chair with your feet flat on the floor. Now, take your fingers and push your chin back as if you were pushing your chin through the back of your head. All you need is a light push and you will feel the stretch in your upper back. Do this exercise for about 3 times for about 10 seconds each.

2. Using a large stability ball, lay on your back. Use the ball to stretch your back by pushing your body back on the ball as far as you can with your feet. Your head should be close to touching the floor. This exercise should allow you to feel a deep stretch in your back.

3. Lie on the floor with our knees bent. Your feet should be positioned shoulder width apart and at a 90 degree angle. With your arms to your sides, lift your pelvis up and off the floor. Do this 5 times, holding up every 5 seconds as you tighten your stomach.

4. Sitting in a chair, roll your shoulders in a circle frontwards. Do this 5 to 10 times. Now, roll your shoulders in a circle going backwards. Again, roll your shoulders in this direction 5-10 times.

5. The best posture exercises you can perform to help strengthen your back are Yoga exercises. Yoga poses incorporate lots of strengthening movements. If you are a member of a gym, check with the front desk to see if your club offers free Yoga classes. After taking only a few classes, you will definitely feel and see a difference in your posture.

Posture exercises work perfectly to improve weak muscles, causing poor posture. It's best to perform these exercises on a daily basis to ensure the highest results. You can expect to see noticeable improvements within approximately 2 months of consistent practice. Dedication to practicing these posture exercises will allow you to sit and walk tall." (Continued via e
EzineArticals, Natalie Cordova D.C.) [Ergonomics Resources]

Posture the key in prolonged laptop use

2008-10-09T07:10:00.000-07:00

Get that posture right ...

"Originally used mostly by businesspeople who travelled often, laptops have recently begun to outsell desktop computers. More often than not they're light, compact and cute as a button, and everyone, from high-school students to CEOs, are carrying them around.

More and more often, people are learning how to set up their desks in a way that's appropriate to their needs, and offices are becoming increasingly sensitive to issues of ergonomics. Desktop computers are still causing problems, but it's laptops that are the real troublemakers these days.

Now that we're all using laptops more and more often, for longer and longer periods of time, it's important to remember that handy as they are, they're causing some serious problems for the human body. There are a few things to remember to keep your laptop use pain-free and posture-friendly.

First of all, laptops aren't actually meant to be used on your lap. Everywhere you look, people contort themselves into the strangest positions to make laptops usable. Holding your laptop in your lap leads to postural positions that are a massage therapist's worst nightmare. Hunching over, squeezing arms tight and flexing wrists to reach the keyboard and poking your head forward to see the screen can all lead to back, neck, shoulder, wrist arm and hand pain.

Instead of putting your laptop on your lap, place it on a solid surface. The real problem with laptops is that the screen and keyboard are stuck together. Your computer screen should be directly at eye level, and a keyboard should be placed so there is no strain on the wrists or shoulders.

You want your screen further away, and your keyboard closer, than a laptop will allow. If you are using your laptop as your primary computer, use a laptop stand to elevate the screen, and get an external keyboard and mouse. This way, you can place everything so it is properly adjusted to your body.

Make sure you are seated properly, and that you are comfortable, not hunching your back or straining your neck or shoulders.

Though laptops are lovely and compact, a bit of accessorizing will help save the long-term user a world of pain." (Continued via Ottawa Business Journal) [Ergonomics Resources]

Using Ergonomics to Prevent Work Injuries

2008-10-08T08:12:00.000-07:00

Preventing pain through ergonomics ...

"50% of all workers are at risk of developing a repetitive stress injury such as carpal tunnel syndrome or back pain. 1 in 10 will develop an injury severe enough that it interferes with work, home and leisure activities. Symptoms may include pain, numbness and tingling, weakness and clumsiness. At its worst, those who experience these injuries are unable to work, unable to pursue musical and artistic hobbies, unable to perform simple household tasks, even unable to hold and care for their babies.

In addition to the pain and disability experienced by the individual, the cost of these injuries can be tremendous. The carpal tunnel release is one of the most commonly performed surgical procedures in the United States. An individual case, including medical, therapeutic and work-related expenses, can cost up to $29,000. According to the U.S. Department of Labor, the direct and indirect costs of all these types of injuries can total as much as $20 billion dollars a year.

If we or a loved one are not personally affected, why should we care? As a consumer, for every purchase we make, for every service we need, these costs are passed on to us. As an employer, these costs have a significant impact on our business expenses and practices.

Most of us have either experienced symptoms ourselves or know of someone who has hand pain or had surgery on the hand. We see people daily, on the streets, in our offices, at the grocery stores, wearing wrist braces or back supports. Yet few of us are able to say what causes these injuries or, more importantly, to plan strategies for prevention.

Repetitive injuries occur when daily microscopic damage exceeds the body's daily ability to repair tissues. The damage accumulates gradually until eventually we have a deficit in healing and symptoms become evident. Demanding work activity or poor work practices (such as excessive or repetitive work, forceful movements, poor posture and awkward positioning) can all contribute to the development of injuries. Anything that slows the body's ability to heal can also contribute: stress, poor health or illness, not taking care of your body.

The earlier that repetitive injuries are treated, the better the chance of recovery. However, the very best defense is to prevent the injury from occurring in the first place.

Ergonomics is the art and science of creating comfortable and user friendly work environments and work practices. Maintaining a work environment that is ergonomically sound and developing work practices that place the least amount of stress on the body are important to preventing injuries.

small and inexpensive changes can add up to big rewards. For example, take steps to reduce the noise around you and maintain a comfortable work temperature. Modify activities that require awkward positioning, forceful movements and repetition. Using a glare screen and a telephone head-set, changing the position of the mouse or the monitor, and varying your tasks performed throughout the day, can all significantly reduce body stressors." (Continued via Bella Online, Marji Hajic) [Ergonomics Resources]

Ergonomic Boost: Improving Workers' Posture And Working Conditions In Manufacturing Plant Can Increase Productivity

2008-10-07T08:30:00.000-07:00

Teaching good ergonomics benefits productivity ...

"New research suggests that teaching staff about improving their posture and working conditions in a manufacturing plant can boost productivity by more than 50 percent. Details of the research will published in a forthcoming issue of the International Journal of Industrial and Systems Engineering.

Oguzhan Erdinc of the Department of Industrial Engineering at the Turkish Air Force Academy and Ozalp Vayvay of the Department of Industrial Engineering, at Marmara University, in Istanbul, investigated how simple improvements in the working conditions of employees at a clothes factory could improve performance and reduce the number of faulty "seconds" being produced by an apparel factory.

The researchers studied two machine sewing lines at a clothing manufacturer. "Major ergonomics problems were awkward postures, musculoskeletal discomfort and difficulty in monitoring operation of machine needle and flow of stitches," the researchers explain. To remedy this situation, the researchers gave the operators ergonomics training and a handbook on correct work methods. They also installed a reminder figure showing correct work postures and adjusted the tilt of equipment so that the operators could work more comfortably.

A marked improvement was seen in product quality following these interventions, Erdinc and Vayvay explain. "After interventions, significant reductions in ergonomics problems were attained and the proportion of Sewing Operator Related Defective Products (SORDP) was reduced by 56% in Line 1 and by 52% in Line 2. Moreover, the employees were more comfortable in their work. This low-cost approach to ergonomics involves simple adjustments to equipment and education of operators to improve their conditions and their products.

The researchers concede that the study was limited in the number of operators involved and follow-up studies would demonstrate unequivocally whether ergonomics training and practices are more widely applicable. There is the possibility that simply addressing the issues of comfort, improved the operators' outlook, and so longer-term studies that would determine whether product quality improvements are sustained would demonstrate whether the approach is cost effective in the long-run or not.

The team adds that more sophisticated ergonomics interventions, such as installing sit-stand workstations and implementing cellular machine sewing practices should now be investigated to see whether they too can improve working conditions and product quality in the apparel and other manufacturing industries." (Continued via Science Daily) [Usability Resources]

Have a seat on Herman Miller's new techie throne

2008-10-06T08:11:00.000-07:00

The latest and greatest from Herman Miller ...

"The latest object of technophile lust is a sight to behold, with an exoskeleton climbing up its singular back and enough levers and knobs to land a Cessna. Herman Miller's much-anticipated office chair, the Embody (list price: $1,595), is finally rolling out this month. Six years and millions of dollars in the making, the Embody is ready to one-up its iconic predecessor, the Aeron, which in 1994 revolutionized the act of sitting down.

That is no easy task. The Aeron brilliantly anticipated the Digital Age by allowing workaholics to spend endless hours lashed to their computer screens without developing bedsores. With a mesh suspension system that conformed to a user's body shape, the Aeron generated more than $1.5 billion in revenue and looked so cool that it's still being used by Tina Fey on the sitcom 30 Rock and resides in the permanent collection of New York's Museum of Modern Art.

Though Herman Miller offers a dramatic story about how Embody began - the late, legendary Aeron designer Bill Stumpf told the company, "I think I've got one more in me" - the company really had no choice. Today's $2 billion U.S. office-chair market is crammed with competitors such as Steelcase (a chair called Leap) and Knoll (Life).

So Herman Miller decided, in the words of exec Don Goeman, to grow a new chair. "That's a pure notion of high aspiration in embarking on a journey of learning and discovery," he explains. That's how chair people talk. In 2002, Stumpf and his studio partner Jeff Weber embarked; they created a prototype just before Stumpf died in 2006 at age 70.

Herman Miller (MLHR) rhapsodizes about the Embody's ergonomics, but the appeal is really the technology. Take the four-layer seat. Flip the chair upside down and you'll see black elastic bands that provide universal suspension. A second layer of plastic coils provides extra support, and a third layer of plastic hexagons moves independently as users shift their weight. Finally, the seat cover allows air to pass through, cooling the user's body.

Then there's the look. That back is primarily functional. But rather than hide it, Herman Miller prefers to play it up. "We like to say that form and function are one," says Weber.

The materials in the Embody could be the focus of an entire graduate seminar. The company says the chair uses nothing that could pose a health or environmental risk during manufacturing, customer use, or final disposal. (The Embody may be nontoxic, but rumors that you can actually eat it are greatly exaggerated.)" (Continued via Fortune, Paul Keegan) [Ergonomics Resources]

Embody Chair

Balance key to working from home

2008-10-04T09:13:00.000-07:00

How to practice good ergonomics when working at home ...

"Raymond Biesinger's illustrations have graced the pages of international publications like the New York Times, Fast Company and Neon - but he remains in Edmonton, working from a home studio.

... Most people who work at home, either as an entrepreneur or as an employee, struggle to balance their lives, says the Prince George, B.C.,-based career coach. "Working from home means you're always at work and it's tempting to work too much."

Without co-workers, there's no one to remind you to take a break, or encourage you to consider the ergonomics of your work station, as an HR department might do.

Easton says a Vancouver friend who works at home has the right idea: he's purchased a Nintendo Wii and plays the boxing game when clients frustrate him. "It gets him up and moving, even if it's just a 15-minute break.

People who work at home are likely to neglect other considerations too, like hygiene, nutrition and rest.

All of these things play a role in your ultimate success, Easton says. She thinks it's best to treat the work-at-home workday like any other.

"Treat it like you're going to the office. Get up and take your shower and get dressed," she says. "Set up a beautiful place that you love, which is ergonomic and has windows, ideally, to remind you to get outside."

It's crucial for both your health and happiness, and the success of your work, to continue to meet people and make professional connections.

Having a mentor, or coach, can help, too. Easton recently signed up with a local women's entrepreneur association to find a mentor in her field. The two meet regularly to discuss business issues. Many Canadian cities have similar programs, which can help home-office-types connect.

People have different work styles, but Easton cautions that even self-professed introverts need to leave the house.

"Everybody works differently, but no man is an island. If you're in business, and you're trying to remain introverted, chances are you won't be as successful as if you formed those relationships and got out there." (Continued via NB Business Journal, Caitlin Crawshaw) [Ergonomics Resources]

Working from home.

Grenade Mouse: If Rambo Used a Computer

2008-10-03T09:28:00.000-07:00

The anti-ergonomic mouse ...

"This is the most hardass mouse I've ever seen. It's a mouse stuffed inside of an actual grenade shell (that's sadly plastic, I was a little overexcited after watching Rambo the other night). Sure, it's a crappy Targus mouse lurking underneath its rippled casing. And you know it's goddamn uncomfortable. But that's part of the point.

When your pasty, sweaty hand is gripping this instrument of death turned into a cuddly gadget, enduring the minor misery in your lower arm caused its frankly horrifying ergonomics, you'll feel like a badass. You totally won't be, but for that brief second, it's not like anyone could tell you any differently. Except for you know, Rambo, who would punch your heart out." (Continued via Gizmodo Australia, technabob) [Ergonomics Resources]

Anti-Ergonomic

Human factors serves to improve Military Airborne Fire Fighting System

2008-10-01T09:31:00.000-07:00

Human factors operating in the military ...

"Recently, a team from the 418th Flight Test Squadron and the California Air National Guard from the Channel Islands deployed to Chico, Calif., to evaluate the Military Airborne Fire Fighting System built by the Aero Union Corporation.

This system will be used by the California Air National Guard and the United States Forest Service to fight wild fires here in California.

The overall test objective was to support certification of the MAFFS II system for use on the C-130J-30. The specific human factors objectives were to characterize noise and temperature levels of the cargo compartment environment during operation of the MAFFS II system and to verify that the human-systems interfaces for the MAFFS II were adequate to support airworthiness certification.

Testing of the MAFFS II was conducted in two phases at the Chico Municipal Airport in Chico, Calif., over a two-week period. Phase I was conducted to evaluate the operation and safety-of-flight of MAFFS II on a C-130J-30 aircraft. This phase consisted of loading the MAFFS II onto the aircraft and various ground tests to ensure the system was functioning correctly and was safe to fly.

Phase II consisted of performing retardant drops over a USFS test grid located in Chico, Calif. The grid consists of 100 rows of 20 collection cups uniformly spaces over a cow pasture. The aircraft flies over the grid and drops a load of retardant. Then the cups are quickly collected and weighted to determine the amount of retardant that would actually fall on a fire.

An integrated systems evaluation was also performed during phase II testing as a graduation exercise to demonstrate the MAFFS II capability of the C-130J-30 platform. This evaluation required the pilots of the MAFFS II modified plane to fly along steep ridgelines while following a smaller U.S. Forest Service plane. This emulated the actual fire-fighting procedures that are used by the Forest Service. Smaller planes led the aerial fire-fighting planes into the fire ravaged areas and then provide a visual escape path through the smoke for the larger planes.

During testing, several human factors issues were identified. These issues ranged from simple labeling inaccuracies to potentially dangerous snagging hazards. Human factors engineers used a multitude of techniques to gather data, from simple observation to utilizing complex and expensive equipment. Additionally, the pilots and loadmasters completed questionnaires and provided valuable comments and concerns.

The final human factors evaluation consisted of a combination of both subjective and objective data. One of the most valuable resources for use by human factors engineers are Military Standards. Especially useful is the "Human Factors Bible," Military Standard 1472F, Department of Defense Design Criteria Standard, Human Engineering. This document provides the criteria for everything from the acceptable scale for text to general workspace design.

Some of the tools used for this evaluation were hand-held thermometers and noise level meters. Because of the large size of the MAFFS II equipment, there was a concern that the generators running the equipment would give off too much heat and increase the ambient air temperature in the cargo compartment.

Using a variety of thermometers, including an Omega OS425-LS and two different Omega HHF710s to record the temperature level, readings were taken at several different locations. Single, discrete measurements were taken during ground testing and in-flight, with and without the compressors running and during all the different mission phases." (Continued via Edwards AFB, Patricia Dunavold and Franz Ravelo) [Ergonomics Resources]

Ergonomics alleviates pain

2008-09-30T08:03:00.000-07:00

Good ergonomic posture in various situations ...

Question - I don't have a physically strenuous job - I work in an office. But by the end of the day, my neck and shoulders ache. What's causing it?

Answer - Without knowing it, you might be bringing on neck and shoulder pain by the way you perform everyday activities. If so, you have plenty of company.

Doctors estimate that 70 percent of us will be troubled by neck pain at some point in our lives.

Improper posture while using a computer deserves much of the blame. Workers often sit for hours with their shoulders slumped and their heads thrust forward toward the monitor, which puts stress on neck muscles.

You should get relief by following simple ergonomic principles. (Ergonomics is the field that offers advice for arranging your home and workplace so that you can do tasks safely and efficiently.) Broadly speaking, that means keeping your neck in a neutral position, with your head balanced directly over your shoulders, not thrust forward or tilted to one side.

Sounds obvious, but how does that affect the way you work and move?

Here are some tips for achieving a healthy neck posture during common activities at work and home:

Sitting at a computer - Keep your head balanced directly over your spine as much as possible. Adjust your chair's height so your feet rest comfortably on the floor. Sit with your buttocks far back in your chair, and use a small pillow to support your lower back, if needed.

Desktop computers can be tilted or raised so that the monitor is directly in front of you.

If you work on a laptop, however, properly adjusting the keyboard and monitor might be difficult or impossible. Try plugging a separate, full-size keyboard into a laptop to achieve better positioning.

Even if you have perfect posture, get up, stretch and move around every half hour. If you tend to get lost in your work, set a timer or program your computer to flash a reminder.

Talking on the phone - If you spend a lot of time on the phone, don't lean your head to one side to hold the phone on your shoulder. Instead, use a headset or speakerphone, which will help keep your head in a neutral position - and your hands free for other tasks. Headsets are available for your desk and cell phones.

Reading or writing at your desk - When you're reading, sit up straight and hold the document, book or report up so that you don't need to bend over. Or use a document holder to prop up the material. You can put papers on a slanted board raised slightly off the desk to keep them at a comfortable reading angle. For writing, adjust your chair so you don't need to bend over." (Continued via Myrtle Beach Online) [Usability Resources]

The economics of ergonomics

2008-09-29T07:34:00.000-07:00

This is the first of a five-part series focusing on ergonomics in the work environment.

"Did you know that over half of employees who use computers for at least 15 hours per week reported musculoskeletal disorder (MSD) issues in the first year of a new job? This represents 50 percent of all lost work days and costs U.S. companies over $61 billion per year in lost productivity. Employers pay out approximately $20 billion annually in benefits for these issues.

MSDs — injuries to muscles, tendons, ligaments, joints, cartilage, nerves, blood vessels and intervetebral discs of the spine — vary in severity from annoyingly painful to crippling and disabling. MSDs, which especially affect the back, neck, shoulders, arms, elbows, wrists and fingers, are cumulative injuries that result from prolonged work exposure to one or more of five ergonomic risk factors:

• High rate of movement repetition

• High forces

• Poor, deviated work postures

• High contact stress

• High vibration of part of the body, especially in cold conditions

According to the federal Occupational Safety and Health Administration, the average cost of a work-related MSD is $27,700, and in many cases they can be prevented by ergonomic intervention.

In the majority of instances, ergonomic intervention occurs after an incident is reported. However, a proactive ergonomics and wellness program not only will dramatically reduce the probability of a reported incident but will also contribute significantly to lowering a company’s workers’ compensation premiums – by as much as 70 percent in some instances.

Some firms resist adopting ergonomics and wellness initiatives due to their perceived “high cost.” The truth is that implementation of some initiatives can actually save money.

What is ergonomics?

Simply defined, ergonomics is the study of how your body interacts with your environment when you perform a task or activity. Ergonomics often involves arranging your environment — including equipment, tools, lighting and how you perform a task — to fit you and the activity you are doing. Office ergonomics focuses on arranging your work environment to fit your needs while you do your job. This includes your workstation arrangement — the placement of equipment such as your desk, computer monitor, chair, computer keyboard, mouse and telephone.

An ergonomic workplace evaluation examines:

• Your workstation setup relative to your posture, length of time in a position or doing a particular task, types of movements or repetition of movements.

• Your job surroundings, including the work surface, lighting, noise level, temperature and humidity.

• Your job tools, including any device used to perform your job duties, such as a computer mouse or scanning machines.

When your workstation is set up properly, you may be less likely to experience such problems as headaches or eye strain, neck back and shoulder pain. Applying ergonomic workstation principles also can help prevent such conditions as carpal tunnel syndrome and other injuries related to repetitive activities." (Continued via NHBR, Mike Kind) [Ergonomics Resources]

Posture at computer desk.

Longtime fans try out first seats installed in new Cowboys stadium

2008-09-28T09:16:00.000-07:00

Ergonomics of stadium seating ...

"For a few minutes, Bob and Harriet Hughes had not just the best seats in the new Dallas Cowboys stadium but the only seats.

The 70-year-old Dallas couple, fans since the Cowboys' days as an expansion franchise, was chosen to sit in the first seats installed in the new stadium in Arlington. Workers with drills installed a pair of Cowboys blue seats in section 304 Tuesday afternoon, and the couple sat down and admired their view for the first time.

"You can look at the pictures in the newspaper," Mrs. Hughes said, "but you don't really see it all until you get here."

Mr. Hughes added: "This makes us feel like we're part of the stadium."

...He said the design was also tweaked a little from the Qwest seats and made with a higher back.

"We thought we could make some improvements for the comfort and ergonomics," Mr. Griffiths said.

The seats are attached to aluminum rails that are bolted into concrete. The suite seats will have cup holders in the arm rests, but the other seats have them attached to the backs.

Camatic has been shipping 40-foot-long containers filled with seats about every week and a half, but that number will increase to two or three containers per week soon. Mr. Hill said the plan is to install about 2,200 seats each week." (Continued via Dallas Morning News, Jeff Mosier) [Ergonomics Resources]

Stadium Seat

Schwarzenegger Terminates Texting While Driving in California

2008-09-27T07:17:00.000-07:00

No text messaging in california ...

"California is joining seven other states and Washington DC by imposing a full-on ban of text messaging while driving. The bill signed by the Governator himself imposes a $20 fine for the first offense and $50 for repeat offenders starting next year. Kind of a slap on the wrist if you ask me—but that is more than 43 other states in this country are doing." (Continued via current.com, Gizmondo) [Ergonomics Resources]

Online Texting

Humanscale Switch both ergonomically and ambidextrously correct

2008-09-25T07:31:00.000-07:00

Another mouse solution for CTS ...

"No one should ever underestimate the value of ergonomics. More and more people these days are suffering from carpel tunnel or repeated wrist syndrome every day. Surely there is more that users can do than just shake their hands after a long day on the desktop or laptop.

One of the great contributors to the plague of repeated wrist syndrome lies right next to your computer. That’s right, the mouse is one of the great contributors to carpel tunnel, and something has to be done for users unless they want to have some metal bands on their hands.

Humanscale has created an adjustable ergonomic mouse called the Switch. It has an adjustable palm rest and size for ergonomic stability. It also has a navigation dish to prevent carpel tunnel from scrolling. Not only is the Switch good at ergonomics, but it can be used ambidextrously as well. Hence, the name of the Switch.

This is good, since most mice are designed for right handed people, and left handers get left out. I’m not left-handed myself, but I believe that the southpaw community are often left out on certain devices like scissors, notebooks, and most desks." (Continued via Coolest Gadgets) [Ergonomics Resources]

Switch Mouse

Sirens: Do they really get anyone's attention?

2008-09-24T07:28:00.000-07:00

The ergonomics of sirens ...

"Over the years I’ve noticed a variety of siren sounds for emergency vehicles. Is it true siren sounds have to be changed periodically, particularly in urban areas, to prevent drivers from getting used to a particular sound and not paying attention? —Dylan, Chicago.

Varietywise I don’t know that siren sounds are in the same league as ice cream flavors, or for that matter the olive department at Whole Foods, but there are more than there used to be. Two are reliably found in just about all U.S. emergency vehicles: (1) the wail, the traditional Dragnet-type siren whose pitch in olden days rose and fell with the vehicle’s speed; and (2) the yelp, whose pitch rapidly alternates, reflecting the frantic pace of modern life.

Other common sounds include (3) the European-style high-low or two-tone siren, which nowadays is often interspersed with whoops and other noises; (4) what’s sometimes called the “phaser” siren, which does sound a bit like something you’d use to take out the Klingons; and (5) the braying “air horn” (actually an electronic reproduction), not a siren in the strictest sense, for when you can’t get the attention of space cases any other way.

Siren use policy varies. Some jurisdictions, such as Hawaii and California, limit the permissible siren sounds to the wail and yelp; Hawaii further specifies that the wail is to be used by police for routine emergencies with the yelp reserved for traffic offenders. More commonly, though, the idea is to mix up the sounds. Partly, as you suggest, that’s to get drivers’ attention, which is more of a challenge than it used to be what with car stereos, air conditioning, yammering GPS units, iPods, cell phones, and so on. Emergency drivers will often cycle through the siren types if civilians don’t move immediately.

The main reason for multiple sounds, though, is a little different and frankly a lot more urgent: If all emergency vehicles used the same type, their drivers wouldn’t hear each other’s sirens while speeding to the same intersection—this is known as the wash-out effect—and would be more likely to crash into each other.

That raises a key question. Do sirens do what they’re supposed to do, namely get nonemergency traffic out of the way without getting people hurt or killed? A lot of experts think they don’t.

Some claim lights and sirens actually cause more accidents. Statistically, most ambulance crashes happen at intersections while the vehicle is running “hot”—i.e., using lights and siren. Of course, vehicles running cold are also less likely to speed, drive on the wrong side of the road, or run red lights, so you’d expect more accidents in emergency mode.

Still, you have to wonder whether sirens in many instances are worth the trouble. Studies show ambulances typically make it to their destinations less than a minute faster with the aid of the siren, which is rarely enough to do anything medically useful. Another problem is what emergency-response expert Jeff Clawson calls the wake effect—drivers collide with each other or stationary objects while trying to get out of an emergency vehicle’s way. A Department of Transportation study concluded that “sirens will never become an effective warning device”—and that was in 1977, when drivers had fewer distractions.

So which of these marginally effective siren sounds is best? Good luck getting a straight answer. The International Encyclopedia of Ergonomics and Human Factors says the most audible and localizable sounds are very high or very low frequencies, with low preferred because high can be irritating. (Although I have to think a gut-buzzing low vibration could be plenty disconcerting.)" (Continued via Connect Savannah, Cecil Adams) [Ergonomics Resources]

Institute investigates noise induced hearing loss

2008-09-23T07:50:00.000-07:00

Research on preventing hearing loss ...

"Research into more effective ways to prevent loss of hearing in South African mine workers who are exposed to high levels of noise underground is currently being conducted at the Council for Scientific and Industrial Research (CSIR).

Noise-induced hearing loss (NIHL) is one of the most prevalent occupational injuries in the South African mining industry.

CSIR researcher Anita Edwards says that mine workers are prone to hearing loss owing to noise created by machinery used underground in jobs such as drilling, winch operating, locomotive motors and others.

"In general, there are high-noise levels underground, mainly from the equipment used by workers," explains Edwards.

Loss of hearing severely impacts on workers' ability to earn a living and function in social relationships, resulting in diminished quality of life and added pressure on social support systems, reports the CSIR.

Further, it has a negative economic effect, as it is the most compensated occupational injury in the South African mining industry.

More than R448-million in settlements were paid to 43 818 mineworkers, between 1998 and 2003, as a result of NIHL.

The CSIR reports that this amount excluded costs for lost shifts and production, replacing lost skills and rehabilitating injured employees.

It is therefore important to conduct research and devise practical measures to prevent hearing loss in the mining sector, states Edwards." (Continued via Engineering News) [Ergonomics Resources]

Another battle shaping over ergonomics

2008-09-22T08:26:00.000-07:00

Ergonomics standards being considered again ...

"The business community is preparing for another battle over workplace ergonomics regulations.

In 2001, business lobbyists convinced Congress to overturn an ergonomics regulation issued by the Occupational Safety and Health Administration in the waning months of the Clinton administration. The regulation would have required businesses to establish programs to reduce musculoskeletal injuries such as back sprains and carpal tunnel syndrome.

Businesses contended the cost of implementing the regulations – at least $100 billion, according to the U.S. Chamber of Commerce – would far exceed its benefits. A Republican-controlled Congress and President Bush agreed, and businesses won a victory, said Randel Johnson, the chamber’s vice president of labor, immigration and employee benefits.

Come January, however, a new president will take office and Democrats may strengthen their control of the House and the Senate." (Continued via East Bay Business Times) [Ergonomics Resources]

The Latest Thinking on Computer-Related Pain

2008-09-21T07:25:00.000-07:00

Dave Rempel interview on CTS ...

"Dr. David M. Rempel is an occupational medicine physician at the University of California, San Francisco, and a professor of bioengineering at the University of California, Berkeley. He is also director of the ergonomics research laboratory at the University of California.

Q. Since the late 1980s, there has been much controversy over whether typing on a computer or other repetitive workplace activities could cause repetitive strain injuries of the hand, arm and shoulder. Has that debate been settled?

A. There has been some settling of the issue. It is pretty clear that jobs that involve high-force hand activities and repetitive hand motions — such as in manufacturing or heavy industry or meatpacking — are associated with wrist tendinitis and carpal tunnel syndrome and other arm disorders. Many companies have been making efforts to modify their workplaces to reduce those loads, and they have had some effectiveness in reducing injuries in the workplaces.

But there is still some controversy in the scientific community about whether keyboard and mouse use causes carpal tunnel syndrome.

Q. What is known about carpal tunnel syndrome and computer use?

A. Recent research indicates that the risk of carpal tunnel syndrome, when using the keyboard for less than 20 hours a week, is relatively low or nonexistent. That’s a new finding that has emerged over the past 10 years.

What is still missing is an understanding of what happens when people use the computer keyboard for more than 20 or 30 hours a week for many years. There, the question of carpal tunnel syndrome and keyboard use is still unanswered.

What is also interesting is that in the last few years, strong evidence has emerged that if you use a computer mouse for more than 20 hours a week, your risk of carpal tunnel syndrome is increased. It looks like the mouse may be more problematic than the keyboard, at least for carpal tunnel syndrome. And mouse use is also associated with elbow and shoulder problems.

Q. Many researchers have shifted away from using the term ”repetitive strain injury.” Why is that?

A. Well, the term “repetitive strain injury” has embedded within it the concept that repetition is the cause. But the actual cause may not be repetition per se; it might be prolonged finger loads or static forces or high forces. And so the use of the term has largely been replaced by specific diagnoses that are more exact — carpal tunnel syndrome or wrist tendinitis. Or researchers use a more generic term like musculoskeletal disorder.

Q. Why is it that some people develop these musculoskeletal illnesses when friends or colleagues who are doing exactly the same activities do not?

A. That’s a great question. It may have to do with a difference in their workload. Some people may have a higher hand workload than others. It may have to do with the way they do their work; they may apply larger forces when performing the same task, or forces for longer durations.

If you look at people who do identical hand activities, there’s a slightly increased risk for women than men. This difference is probably due to the relative lower strength of women than men. There are also differences in hand-intensive activities that they do at home or outside of work.

In addition, there may be some personal factors that put a person more at risk: for example, obesity and medical conditions like diabetes." (Continued via NY Times Health, Ingfei Chen) [Ergonomics Resources]

Dangers abound if you work at home

2008-09-20T07:00:00.000-07:00

Ergonomics tips for working from home office ...

"It has come to our attention here at WHOA that a growing number of Americans work at home, partly because high gasoline prices discourage commuting and partly because workers are tired of getting dressed in the morning.

WHOA warns all Americans that home offices have their dangers, same as other workplaces. Hazards often are overlooked because there is no direct management supervision. While this lack of supervision may make workers "happy," it also means there's no one to enforce safety regulations or say "put that down before you hurt yourself."

People who work at home may not practice proper "ergonomics" (from the Latin for "hunchback"). They use desks and/or chairs purchased at rummage sales and slapped together any old which-way rather than government-approved, adjustable office furniture designed to enforce proper posture. This can result in long-term health issues and bad vibes.

Research has shown that these are the top 10 injuries suffered by at-home workers:

1. Carpal tunnel syndrome is a severe nerve problem in the wrists caused by improper computer "keyboarding" and mouse usage. Make sure your chair and computer are properly aligned so that you maintain a "wide stance." Repetitive motions, such as those used to play Guitar Hero, should be avoided.

2. Eating and drinking at your desk is hazardous, particularly if hot coffee is involved. Not only can injury result, but studies have found that eating chips and salsa over your keyboard can result in computer failure.

3. Paper cuts are common and can be quite painful, especially if you get salt and/or salsa in the wounds. Workers should always wear gloves.

4. Bruises result from inadvertently whamming knees and elbows into your desk or other immovable objects in the home office. Safety tip: Sit still.

5. Many at-home workers fall afoul of fasteners such as staples, paper clips and thumbtacks. These metal objects will pierce the skin, and infection can result. Scotch tape is recommended for all applications.

6. Rubber bands, placed under too much strain, can snap and give the user painful "hickeys."

7. Beware the paper shredder.

8. Many home-office accidents result from workers standing on swivel chairs or other inappropriate places in attempts to reach high shelves or change light bulbs. This behavior should be avoided. Keep office supplies and other items on the down-low to avoid overreaching." (Continued via Redding Record Searchlight, Steve Brewer) [Ergonomics Resources]

House Hearing Focuses On Secret Rule

2008-09-19T07:25:00.000-07:00

DOL could weaken and delay workplace health standards ...

"A Sept. 17 House Workforce Protections Subcommittee hearing considered the impact of the Department of Labor’s (DOL) worker health risk assessment proposal, a rule critics say was developed in secret and that could weaken and delay the enactment of future workplace health standards.

“I have called this hearing today on the Department of Labor’s proposed risk assessment regulation, because, quite frankly, I’m troubled by the agency’s attempt to rush through this rule without a full consideration of its effect on the health and safety of the American worker,” said Rep. Lynn Woolsey, D-Calif., in her opening statement.

The proposed rule was brought to public attention in early July, when the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) published the proposed rule’s title on its Web site. Rep. George Miller, D-Calif., chairman of the House Education and Labor Committee, and Sen. Edward M. Kennedy, D-Mass., chairman of the Senate Health, Education, Labor and Pensions Committee, subsequently wrote to DOL requesting specific information on the rule and how it came about.

No documents were forthcoming, Woolsey said, until the day before the proposed rule was published in the Aug. 29 Federal Register.

“This proposed rule has, without explanation, leapfrogged ahead of many other worker protection standards that OSHA should have been working on for the last 8 years,” Woolsey said, referencing standards for diacetyl, cranes and beryllium, which currently are in development.

Woolsey also described the proposed rule as “misguided” and that it “will significantly affect the ability of OSHA and MSHA to protect workers from deadly health hazards.” Finally, the rule’s comment period – 30 days – is too brief, she said.
Short and Simple

In his testimony, Leon Sequeira, DOL assistant U.S. labor secretary for policy at DOL, labeled the criticism surrounding the proposed rule as “widespread, inaccurate speculation and misleading descriptions.”

“The Department’s proposed rule is short and simple,” he said. “It codifies existing best practices into a single, easy-to-reference regulation, and includes two provisions to establish consistent procedures that promote greater public input and awareness of the Department’s health rule makings.”

Those provisions, Sequeria explained, include issuing an Advanced Notice of Proposed of Rulemaking (ANPR) as part of the health standard rulemaking involving the regulation of workplace toxins, and electronically posting all documents DOL relies upon when developing the health standard.

“It’s important to note, contrary to many misleading reports, that this proposal does not affect the substance or methodology of risk assessments, and it does not weaken any health standard,” he said. “Much of the criticism of this proposal appears to reflect either a profound misunderstanding of the federal rulemaking process, or a deliberate mischaracterization of the Department’s proposal." (Continued via Occupational Hazards, Laura Walter) [Ergonomics Resources]

Pack it Light, Wear it Right!

2008-09-18T08:15:00.000-07:00

A reminder on kids backpacks ...

"When it comes to backpacks- pack it light and wear it right-

At least that's what Ministry Rehab Services tells students at Rhinelander schools.

Organizers say it's important to spread awareness of backpack safety because there are many health risks students can face.

If a backpack's weight is more than 15 percent of the student's weight, overuse injuries like tendonitis can occure.

Josh Ice is an athlete trainer with Ministry. He says, "With proper ergonomics of the backpack and kids, it's important to put less stress on their back and joints and muscles."

Health officials say the heaviest items should sit closest to the child's back.

Students should wear both shoulder straps for an evenly balanced load." (Continued via WJFW TV-12, Rhinelander) [Ergonomics Resources]

How to Choose and Use Ergonomic Hand Tools

2008-09-17T06:56:00.000-07:00

Selecting the right ergonomic tool for you ...

"Drop into any hardware store or home improvement center, and you're likely to find aisles full of tools labeled "ergonomic." But what exactly does that mean for workers or consumers?

“Ergonomically enhanced tools can include helpful features like angled handles, padded handgrips and non-slip coatings,” says Paul Holstein, COO of CableOrganizer.com. “However, no matter how impressive a tool’s design is, it’s almost impossible for it to be universally ergonomic since human physiques and project applications vary greatly from one to the next.”

And, he adds, “Whether you’re shopping for ergonomic tools or just trying to select the right one for the job from an existing collection, the key things to consider are whether or not the tool fits your hand, how well it suits the job being done, and whether or not it eases your work and prevents you from straining in ways that could lead to injury.”

To make the decision process a little easier, Holstein offers these guidelines for choosing the right ergonomic hand tool for your body type and the job at hand:

* Because finger size and placement differs from person to person, avoid using tools whose handles have built-in finger grooves. When fingers don’t naturally align with grooves, excessive pressure from the raised groove edges can cause discomfort and injury.
* Choose tools with handles that are covered in a soft material, like foam or flexible plastic. Cushioned handles not only are comfortable for long hours of use, but they provide a much firmer grip and cut down on slippage. Hard-handled tools can be quickly and inexpensively converted by just adding a sleeve.
* Ensure tool handles are free from sharp edges and seams that might irritate or cut the hands.
* When selecting double-handed gripping and cutting tools, opt for ones with spring-loaded handles that automatically will return to the open position.
* If you need to forcefully pinch or grip an object for an extended amount of time, prevent muscle strain by switching from standard pliers to a clamp or grip.
* Only use tools that allow you to work with your wrist in a straight position.
* For tasks that require force, such as torquing screws and nuts, hammering and heavy chiseling, choose single-handle tools with handle diameters that range from 1¼ inches to 2 inches. Larger handles allow fingers to wrap comfortably around the tool in a power grip, which prevents slippage and reduces stress and impact on hands, fingers and wrists.
* For tasks that call for more precision and delicacy (like fine chiseling and driving miniature screws), opt for single-handle tools whose grips fall within the ¼ inch to ½ inch range. The smaller diameter handles make it easy to comfortably grip tools between the fingertips without overexerting fingers, knuckle joints or hand muscles.
* Just as grip diameter affects work with single-handle tools, the grip span of pliers, snips, cable cutters and other double-handled tools can either make your job easier or cause you hand fatigue. For maximum comfort and efficiency for tasks that require more force, like gripping with large pliers, cutting wires or snipping through sheet metal, choose tools with a maximum “open” grip span of 3½ inches and a “closed” grip span no less than 2 inches across." (Continued via Occupational Hazards, Sandy Smith) [Ergonomics Resources]

Best Exercises To Do At Your Desk

2008-09-16T08:28:00.000-07:00

Tips and photos for exercising at your desk ...

"The word exercise comes from the Latin exercere, meaning to keep busy or at work.

But what the typical adult does at work is sit in a desk chair for eight hours, plus a sitting-down commute both ways and an evening spent in front of the TV. This is a recipe for ruin. Sitting all day increases our risk for obesity and puts us at risk for back pain, poor posture, leg cramps, tense muscles and sheer boredom.

Here's something you can do about it.
In Depth: Best Exercises To Do At Your Desk

Exercise is simply the act of keeping your body busy, using your muscles and bones while your heart keeps pumping. You may feel you have no time to do any such thing amid all the rapid-fire e-mails and six-person conference calls (and reading Web articles like this one). You're not alone. With unemployment up at a five-year high of 6.1%, more of us are buckling down instead of getting out of the office. According to the National Center for Chronic Disease Prevention and Health, last year over 50% of adults in the U.S. reported that they did not engage in the suggested 30 minutes, five days a week of moderate physical activity or the suggested 20 minutes, three times a week of vigorous activity. In short, over half of Americans aren't getting the physical exercise they need.

Top Tips
Even when you're not exercising, you should make sure you sit at your desk the right way, says Jason Queiros, a chiropractor in Daytona Beach, Fla.

"It's important that your desk chair be at the proper height to reduce strain on your back," he says. "The chair provides the support for your body throughout the day. Adjust the height so you're in a 90-90-90 position--feet flat on the floor or on a foot rest and your knees and hips bent at 90-degree angles. Keep your lower spine flat against the back of the chair to maintain proper curvature. The chair will help keep the rest of the back and neck erect and decrease your chance of hunching forward, which can cause spasms in the back and neck and headaches."

Queiros also has advice about your computer screen.

"The top one-third of the monitor should be above eye level, both to decrease both eyestrain and to prevent hunching," he says. "Make sure you're not bending your neck forward." (Continued via Forbes.com, Courtney Myers) [Ergonomics Resources]

Free Ergonomics Guide

2008-09-15T06:32:00.000-07:00

A handy guide for the office ...

"BT Business has launched a free guide to help small–business owners ensure that staff who work remotely avoid the common back, neck and arm problems that arise from working with a poor posture.

The ‘Get fit for mobile working’ guide was published after BT Business research revealed that only 46% of mobile workers receive guidance about working safely outside the office, and 25% were unaware that their employer is responsible for their safety wherever they are working.

The guide includes simple dos and don’ts for mobile working with visual display units (VDUs) in different locations, such as on a train, in a coffee shop and at the airport, as well as guidance for those using mobile phones. BT Business managing director Bill Murphy said;

“By observing a few general principles, workers can ensure they see all the benefits of mobile working without any downside. Businesses need to be aware of their legal responsibility for the health and safety of employees.”

“There has been a lack of advice for employees about best–practice mobile working, despite the explosion in mobile and remote working in the UK,” he added. “This is why we have teamed up with leading ergonomist Margaret Hanson to produce the advice.”

Tips from the guide to avoid back, neck and arm problems include:

* Use the backrest of your chair. Don’t slouch forwards, and keep shoulders in line with your hips.
* Alternate between thumbs and fingers when typing on smart phones.
* Don’t rest wrists or forearms on the edge of desks or tables.
* Exercise your hands, wrists and neck regularly.
* Take regular breaks away from the keyboard and screen." (Continued via is4profit, Business News) [Ergonomics Resources]

Chair Posture

Ergonomics can Help Ease Tension Headaches

2008-09-14T07:42:00.000-07:00

Reducing headaches with ergonomics ...

"According to the October 2008 issue of Prevention Magazine, up to 20% of chronic headaches may be caused by shoulder or neck tension. Often, this tension is caused by poor posture while sitting at a computer or from chronic stress. The following symptoms are related to tension headaches:

* Pain at the base of the skull
* Aches behind the eye sockets
* Sore shoulder muscles or neck muscles

In contrast, mild to severe pain in the temple or the forehead may be caused by hormone changes, acute stress, dehydration or diet triggers such as with red wine or chocolate.

The Mayo Clinic offers these suggestions to help relieve or prevent tension headaches:

* Exercise Regularly - Exercise helps to relieves stress, relaxes the muscles and increases the levels of one of your body's natural stress relievers, beta-endorphin. Yoga, massage, and stretching can help prevent tension headaches.

* Manage Stress - Stress is a common trigger for tension headaches. Try the following techniques to help reduce daily stressors:
1. Relaxation techniques such as biofeedback training and relaxation therapy can help reduce stress. Biofeedback teaches you to control certain body responses such as muscle tension, heart rate and blood pressure. Cognitive behavior therapy teaches stress management techniques by providing skills that help you cope with life events more positively. Deep breathing, yoga, meditation and progressive muscle relaxation are also techniques that can help you control the stress response.
2. Plan ahead and organize your day.
3. Allow more time to relax.
4. If caught in a stressful situation, try to step back and allow emotions to settle.

* Live a Healthy Lifestyle – All of the behaviors that are important for general good health will also help prevent tension headaches.
1. Follow regular eating and sleeping schedules.
2. Avoid excess caffeine and other diet triggers.
3. Stay well hydrated.
4. Stay physically active.

* Relax Tight Muscles - Muscle tension is associated with tension headaches. Applying heat or ice to sore muscles may ease the tension. Try both and see which works the best for you. Massage can also provide relaxation of muscle tension.

* Improve your Posture - Good posture places less strain on muscles, tendons, ligaments and bones. It provides for more efficient movement. For more information, link to the articles listed below.

* Ergonomics- Following ergonomic strategies while working at the computer or at your desk will help improve working posture. For more information, link to the articles listed below.

Additional Information:
o Basic Ergonomic Principles
o Ergonomic ABCs
o Neutral Position – Elbow, Shoulders, Neck
o Perfect Posture – The Basics" (Continued via BellaOnline, Marji Hajic) [Ergonomics Resources]