Standard Ergonomics Intro Newspaper Article #3373

http://www.boston.com/jobs/news/articles/2007/09/23/take_aches_and_pains_out_of_your_workplace/


Recently in the Boston Globe, an article was published on the subject of office ergonomics (disclosure: I worked on an ergonomics project for the Globe as an intern a couple years ago). It has the sounds of your usual introduction to ergonomics newspaper article, but it brings up several points I want to highlight here.

#1:

Beware of all the ergonomic hype, though, said Eugene Fram, professor of marketing at Rochester Institute of Technology. "One should not buy something simply because it is labeled as ergonomically designed," Fram said. "Usually this type of equipment is very costly, and some salespeople will try to pass themselves off as ergonomic experts."

Mirroring one of my first posts on this blog, it warns consumers to be wary of any product labelled as ergonomic. It is often used as a cheap marketing ploy, but if the product is indeed ergo-friendly, you should...

#2: Consult an ergonomics expert, preferably with an AEP or CPE designation. Those who hold membership in a professional ergonomics society (such as HFES in the United States or ACE in Canada) will also be well-equipped to address your ergonomic-related concerns. They will be able to advise you on how to use your ergonomic office furniture so you can derive the maximum possible benefit from it.

Laptop Use: Don't Use It On Your Lap

A recent article in the British newspaper, The Daily Mail (http://www.dailymail.co.uk/pages/live/articles/health/healthmain.html?in_article_id=483582&in_page_id=1774&ct=5), details the results of laptop use in unconventional positions, including the lap:

Thousands of students are developing neck, shoulder and wrist pains after using laptops in bed, on the floor or on their laps.

A survey conducted by University College London for the Ergonomics Society found 57 per cent of students had experienced aches and pains due to laptop use, with seven per cent having pain a lot of the time.

One in five had neck and shoulder pains, while 16 per cent said they suffered wrist ache and 15 per cent said their back hurt.

(...)

The research found 42 per cent of respondents used their laptop on their laps, 29 per cent in bed and 13 per cent on the floor.

On average, students used their laptops for almost five-and-a-half hours a day, which ergonomist Rachel Benedyk, who led the research, said would be considered extensive in a risk assessment.

Assuming a variety of non-neutral, static postures for hours a day, in addition to strain in the workplace? Ouch.

Thankfully, Rachel supplies us with tips for safe laptop use:

• Choosing a laptop with as large and clear a screen as possible (14" diagonal or more)
• Sitting with the laptop centrally aligned with your body with your wrists in line with your forearms, your shoulders relaxed and your back supported
• Make sure the laptop is stable and will not wobble or slide as your work
• Rest your eyes frequently and blink more to prevent them feeling dry

Using at a desk that has been optimized for ergonomic factors is the ideal scenario (e.g. height adjustability), but keeping it off the floor or bed will ensure body postures that are alot less stressful for the user.

Ergonomics Standard Back on the Agenda for Democratic Presidental Candidates

http://www.ergoweb.com/news/detail.cfm?id=2157

Great news from Ergoweb:

Polled in The Hill, former Sen. John Edwards (D-NC) said the president’s voluntary guidelines have left workers exposed. “As president, I will make [the act] law,” he said.

Like Edwards, candidate Sen. Hillary Rodham Clinton (D-NY) opposed overturning the ergonomics standard, according to the same article. “Clinton supports the ergonomics rules established by the Clinton administration and reversed by President Bush in 2000,” said a spokesman for the campaign.

The campaign of Sen. Barack Obama’s (D-Ill) said he would “reinstate OSHA’s ergonomics rule” while supporting a policy protecting small businesses that might be adversely affected by a new regulation.

New Mexico Gov. Bill Richardson (D) and Rep. Dennis Kucinich (D-Ohio) have laid out systematic plans to reduce workplace MSDs.

After President George W. Bush canceled the Ergonomics standard brought in under the Clinton administration, it is very encouraging to see the Democrats propose to implement a standard that will improve the lives of workers and save business, despite the fear factor of having invest money in ergonomic improvements, billions of dollars in money in WCB premiums and lost-time injuries. All I know is that we've lost 8 years of progress, and it is high time that we get caught up!

The Industrial Athlete is Back ... Again. Or Clutter, The Productivity Killer!

The latest period of silence was a maddening one. After all, I promised to get back on track when I last checked in ... 6 months ago. And then I fell off the radar again.

I'm convinced I know why. It was a textbook case of mental clutter, exacterbated by physical clutter causing action paralysis. I had so much useless stuff draining my creative energies that this blog slipped into the background a mere two posts after being launched. It was almost enough to make me want to hit the delete button. But I didn't, and here I am ... again!

How I got back to here is an interesting story. I was re-introduced to the Pareto concept (that 80% of an effect is created via 20% of a certain cause) in a different context, by a book by Timothy Ferliss called the Four Hour Workweek. I highly recommend picking it up.

While the main theme of the book is freeing yourself from the traditional definition of work via automation and modern communications, it first recommends that you cut out time wasters in order to ampify your productivity. By using the 80/20 concept, I eliminated and economized actions during my free time at home that weren't pointing me in the direction I want to go in life.

With all the time it freed up, I was able to bang out this post today despite previously being "rushed" during the day.

It's a scenario all cognitive ergonomic specialists should take note of in their practices/lives. Useless/unimportant actions create stress. I have learned this lesson over the past year, and what a difference it has made for me...