The Industrial Athlete

The End

2008-04-05T22:47:00.000-07:00

After reviewing what is important in my life, I have decided to retire from posting to this blog. All the information I have posted to date will remain online for reference, so no worries about that.

To any people who have checked this blog out on a regular basis, thanks for reading.

Aching Surgeons Read This...!

2008-03-18T12:16:00.000-07:00

Brain surgeons take note: the latest in optics technology is just on the horizon.

http://www.hardgeek.net/2008/02/22/world%e2%80%99s-most-compact-neurosurgical-microscope-with-horizontal-optics/

This allows the surgeons to adopt a healthy posture, while taking nothing away from their ability to conduct surgery effectively.

OSHA Releases Ergonomics Guidelines For Shipyards

2008-03-13T14:14:00.000-07:00

Dockyard workers, ailing from aches, pains, and muscloskeletal injuries? Well brighten up, because OSHA has just released another one of its super-useful general guides for ergonomics -- this time, shipyards are profiled.

Click the link below for more details, and be sure to explore OSHA's website for more useful info to help make your workplace an ergonomically correct one!

http://www.osha.gov/dsg/guidance/shipyard-guidelines.html

MSD Problems? The WSIB of Ontario Comes to the Rescue!

2008-03-04T13:54:00.000-08:00

Got problems with muscloskeletal injuries (MSD's) in workplace but you don't have a clue how to begin tackling the problem? While it is advisable to call on an ergonomics professional to assist you at some point, a good reference to help quantify the main problems can be found on www.preventionpractices.com , a website developed by the WSIB in Ontario, Canada.

The PDF's introduce you to what MSD's are, what causes them, and how to build a program to reduce and/or eliminate them from your workplace.

Another example of Ontario leading Canada (and perhaps North America) in ergonomics awareness!

The Most In-Depth Office Ergonomics You'll Read This Year...!

2008-02-05T19:41:00.000-08:00

Firstly, sincere wishes for a prosperous 2008 for you, your company, and your family, in spite of the recession fearmongering that seems to be all the rage these days...

Secondly, read this article (http://www.aicpa.org/pubs/jofa/dec2006/baron.htm) on office ergonomics. I know there's a billion of these out there, but this one is one of the most through I've seen yet, and also one of the most aesthetically-pleasing!

Don't Take Back Pain Lying Down

2007-12-04T12:09:00.000-08:00

When one thinks of back pain, an old maxim springs to mind: Lie down and don't even think about doing anything active until it gets better. As it turns out, this is one of the worst things you can do, as the lack of blood flow to the injured area slows healing of the back structures, and the decrease of muscular activity weakens the back further, increasing the possibility of future injury.

Additionally, work should not be curtailed, but modified during the course of the injury. Doing so maintains the self-esteem of the worker in question, and it avoids the possibility of losing them to long-term disability. Stover H. Snook, Ph.D., CPE, in a recent article on Ergoweb, says it better than I can, so I will defer the rest of the post to him:

"... he explained that the focus should be on designing jobs for those people who will experience the back pain. If a work area is designed so that it accommodates the person with back pain, it only follows that those who don’t have back pain should be comfortable as well. More workers can do the job successfully and with minimal pain. Workers can keep working at their jobs without being moved to different positions or put at a reduced capacity. The key for industry is to remember that some workers will experience back pain no matter what, but the severity of it can probably be diminished along with disability rates.

“It starts with recognition,” says Snook. “Management should recognize that it will happen with most workers. We need to put some compassion in here.”

Addressing the workplace with this in mind is just the start, and Snook admits that ergonomics interventions will probably prevent some of the back pain. “Perhaps even more important is that it permits people to continue working,” he says. “If you can minimize the bending, you’re preventing pain or preventing the aggravation of an underlying condition, [the worker] can still continue to work.”

While all back pain may not be avoidable, ergonomically-correct design, Manual Material Handling equipment, and proper lifting technique can reduce the overall rates of injury, reduce the severity of incidents when they do occur, and allow injured workers to continue being productive at work, instead of lying on the couch at home, making their back (unknowingly) worse.

Administrivia + A Must Read Book For All Ergonomics Professionals

2007-11-19T13:57:00.000-08:00

Apologies for the silence lately ... I have been very busy professionally!

I have also been doing my share of reading lately. I read through The 4 Hour Work Week by Timothy Ferriss a second time, and I am now convinced: this book is a must read for all ergonomists, as it contains invaluable information on cognitive and organizational ergonomic concepts (the 80/20 priniciple, e-mail as a distraction, the need for work-life separation, etc). Look for a full book review soon!

Let's End This Debate Now -- Ergonomics Makes Money!

2007-11-05T01:16:00.000-08:00

I just came across a PDF file of a presentation given by Hal W. Hendrick 12 years ago that shows how ergonomics not only protects the health and safety of workers on the job, but also how it can reap a windfall of cash for comapnies progressive enough to see the light!

http://www.hfes.org/Web/PubPages/goodergo.pdf

He goes into exhaustive detail on how ergonomic interventions and smart design save employers tons of capital on H&S related costs, and makes them more profits due to the increase in productivity that human-centred design enables, again ... and again ... and again.

Next time a client pulls the "this is just gonna cost me money that I don't wanna spend" card, toss'em this report/link. It should change their tune mighty quick...!

Selecting The Right Office Chair

2007-10-22T13:29:00.000-07:00

http://www.todaystmj4.com/news/business/10260522.html

The link above leads to a very through article on selecting the right office chair. Before it gets into the nitty-gritty details though, it drops a statistic from a study by the Office Ergonomic Research Committee (OERC). By both acquiring properly-sized ergonomic office furniture, and by training the employees on how to adjust them (very important), productivity increased by 17.8%, or by $367 more income generated per employee.

Scott Openshaw, Human Factors and Ergonomics Manager for Allsteel, who is the resident expert in this article, suggests the following checklist for selecting an office chair:

1. Promotes healthy movement while working and allows you to move easily
2. Has adjustments that are intuitive and easy to find and operate
3. Supports your body while you work comfortably at your desk
4. Provides armrests that support your arms so your shoulders do not get tired while keyboarding
5. Supports your seat with even pressure so you are comfortable while you sit
6. Allows you to keep your eyes on your work while moving, without needing to readjust the seat, keyboard or monitor position
7. Adjusts to your individual body type, so you can have the support and comfort that you need
8. Adjusts to the desk or workstation and accessories you use to work so you can be productive and comfortable

If you're about to replace your creaky, sad excuse for a seat, give this article a full read by clicking the link at the top...

Duke University Gets It: Workers Are The Experts

2007-10-19T20:56:00.000-07:00

The operator is the expert. This statement alone can turn around an ergonomics program that has stalled in the workplace. When management tries to dictate change to its workers without consulting them, it often ends up changing little, either because it doesn't properly address the main problem, or the workers, enamoured to their chosen routine, reject it out of hand.

At Duke University in North Carolina, the Ergonomics Division has set up Ergonomics Committees in many of the school's departments. These committees are constituted of workers, and are advised by ergonomists from the Ergonomics Division. In a news article published by the school, the policy of tapping the worker for essential information is illustrated:

About a dozen similar ergonomics committees have formed in other departments across Duke. The committees are overseen by the Occupational & Environmental Safety Office’s Ergonomics Division.

“The goal is to train the peers on the committee so they can serve as our frontline and do the initial assessment,” said Tamara James, ergonomics director. “The committees will help raise awareness and help reduce work-related injuries by improving the physical work environment.”

(...)

“It helps to have the committees as our partners,” James said. “They give us valuable input and provide a resource for their co-workers.”

Worker participation is the key to making your ergonomics program a money-maker, rather than a money pit.

CTS and Computer Use: Not as Bad As Previously Thought?

2007-10-19T20:22:00.000-07:00

It seems that computer use doesn't pose as much risk as previously thought. In a recent study by The Journal of the American Medical Association, they concluded that "computer use does not pose a severe occupational hazard for developing symptoms of CTS." (JAMA, 2003;289:2963-2969).

However, it is important to note that in the same abstract that while there was no statistically significant association between keyboard use and Carpal Tunnel Sydrome (CTS), a positive correlation was made between mouse usage exceeding 20 hrs/wk and the development of CTS.

So what do you think? Is CTS risk overblown in computer-driven workplaces, or are there aspects of the issue that aren't being adequately addressed?

Back From Flu-Shot Induced Sickness! Topic of The Week: Why Are We Hurting Our Kids Through Cheap And Bad Design?

2007-10-16T13:06:00.000-07:00

Sorry about not posting for a week. I got my flu shot last week, and I got sick for a couple days following it (go figure), so it messed up my routine!

But I digress.

Back to ergonomics ... it seems we are setting up our young people for muscloskeletal injuries before they even enter the workforce, by forcing them to sit in desks that aren't made to fit them properly:

Griffith University researcher Neil Tuttle found that lack of good seating is behind majority of the back and neck pain experienced by students.

(...)

"If the seat width and seat height of an armchair were made to fit the average dimensions of a population, the chair would be unusable for most of the population," ABC Online quoted Tuttle, as saying.

Not only is the folly of designing for the 50th percentile person (i.e. "the average
person") causing discomfort, pain, and eventual injury, it seems outmoded Victorian ideals concerning The Right Posture are also rubbing salt in the wound:

Tuttle also said that teachers should not ask students to "sit up" or "sit still".

He added that leaning back in chairs with legs extended should not be considered a ‘lazy’ attitude.

"If you want to change one attitude it's that there is a correct posture," he says, adding that students should be allowed to wiggle in their seats.

There is no "right posture". In fact, it is a well-worn cliche in ergonomics circles that the best posture is the next one. We also need to lose the notion that a squirming student isn't necessarily a disruption or a potential ADD case. It is merely a symptom of a case of design where good fit is a distant afterthought.

Source Article: http://www.topnews.in/poor-chair-designs-be-blamed-neck-and-back-pain-school-students-23603

October Is National Ergonomics Month

2007-10-09T00:50:00.000-07:00

It's already 8-9 days into October, but I just noticed tonight that October is National Ergonomics Month. Sponsored by the HFES in the United States, it aims to spread awareness of the importance of our field to both the business community, and the public at large.

Surf over to http://hfesnem.org/ and get involved if you can. Ergonomics has the power to transform our society as the internet, biotechnology, and nanotechology are currently doing. In order for it to do so, the public must know what we're all about!

Happy Canadian Thanksgiving + Some Kitchen Ergonomic Links (So You Don't Hurt Yourself Cooking The Turkey)

2007-10-08T00:56:00.000-07:00

Just checking in on this fine holiday weekend up here in Canada (it's Thanksgiving here, and no we don't start shopping for Christmas immediately after!) Due to the long weekend, posting has eased off, so rest assured that I haven't nodded off again with regards to this blog.

So if you're Canuck like me and you are in the kitchen cooking up a holiday storm, or if you are just a cooking nut (also like me), here are a couple ergonomic-related "in the kitchen" links* I found using a quick Google search:

http://www.kitchens-and-more.com/articles/2007/06/ergonomic-kitchen-tools/ - article on a few basics on designing an ergonomic kitchen. Highly recommended.

http://www.amazon.com/Ergonomic-Kitchen-Tools-6-Fork/dp/B0002E14XG - a pistol-grip fork. Just when you thought you saw the pistol-grip handle on every conceivable tool application, something like this surfaces!

Ergo Web Article Alert: The Ultimate Guide to Workstation Ergonomics: 10 Easy Tips (and a Huge List of Resources)

2007-10-03T13:30:00.000-07:00

Rich McIver from HR World sent me over a link to their recent article concerning office ergonomics. It is one of the most concise and informative overview articles on the subject that I have seen. This is coming from a guy who has read his share of newpaper/magazine pieces that can be summarized as: "golly gee, ergonomics = chairs!", so head on over and check it out!

http://www.hrworld.com/features/workstation-ergonomics-guide-100107/

Ergonomics On The Web - Building the Ergonomic Guitar

2007-10-01T00:46:00.000-07:00

As you may know, ergonomics is the applied science of adapting work to the physical and mental limitations of the people who perform it. Therefore, it can (and should) be applied to any vocation under the sun ...

... even if you're a rock and roll musician!

Enter Robert Irizarry, blogmaster of the weblog Building the Ergonomic Guitar (http://buildingtheergonomicguitar.com/). After suffering an RSI in his job as an IT professional, he decided to look into ergonomically-friendly guitar designs, as pain from the former injury, as well as back troubles had begun to impede his ability to enjoy his hobby. After conducting some inital research he decided to put the two together, and thus, the quest for the ergonomic guitar began!

Keep tabs on his ongoing efforts at http://buildingtheergonomicguitar.com/ .

Standard Ergonomics Intro Newspaper Article #3373

2007-09-27T14:18:00.000-07:00

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

2007-09-26T14:17:00.000-07:00

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

2007-09-25T13:56:00.000-07:00

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!

2007-09-25T13:39:00.000-07:00

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...

My First Impressions of Windows Vista

2007-02-19T20:13:00.000-08:00

In my last post a couple weeks ago, I promised an usability review for Windows Vista, the lastest OS from Microsoft.

There are many features that I, as a casual user of computers, might not be familiar with yet, but the verdict is this:

It's alot like Windows XP, only with nicer visuals and sounds.

The OS still delivers fatal errors from time to time, shutting Internet Explorer down. They moved the Windows Explorer icon (the one that allows you access to the files on your hard drive) to the Start menu (which is now just a Windows icon on the status bar), which was a headache.

Internet Explorer 7.0, which launched with the new OS, shrank the Refresh, Cancel, and Forward/Backward buttons, which led to more frustration. Instead of being able to hit them quickly, I had to hone in on them to click them correctly, and in the early going, I ended up hitting the wrong buttons!

Finally, instead of giving me a labelled shut down button, they provided the international symbol for "off" with no label. And when I clicked on it, my computer "hibernated" instead of shutting off (to get it to do that, you have to trigger a non-descript arrow button, and select the option from a long list).

Overall: good visuals, but no significant improvements in human factors over the last OS, and in some quarters, it actually got worse!

Sorry About The Silence Lately...

2007-02-05T21:26:00.000-08:00

The Industrial Athlete is back after another break in posting, this one coming via a totally unexpected turn of events. On the night following the last post on this blog, my laptop battery caught fire in the middle of the night. It could have been much worse than it was, seeing how my computer was on the floor next to my bed. Fortunately, I was having trouble sleeping that night, so I was awake to smell the smoke, and get the laptop out of my house before it exploded in a fireball outside!

Compounding that, I was in the midst of moving to a new house, so there was an internet blackout for a few days, and even when I got the net back, I was busy unpacking my stuff for a few days after that.

This weekend, I got a new laptop with Windows Vista (a usability review will be coming in short order, so stay tuned), so here I am, back in business!

Regular posting shall resume within this week; once again, I apologize for the inconvenience of the silence of the past few weeks...

Two New Additions To The Blogroll

2007-01-19T22:57:00.000-08:00

This evening, I added two new sites to the blogroll on the left sidebar.

The first one is The Ergonomenon, an excellent, well-written, and aesthetically pleasing blog that focuses on the impact of ergonomics in everyday life. It includes posts on everything from the expected (product reviews of computer mice), to a series on ergonomic nightmares (the most recent prodded the can opener down the walk of shame), to the downright odd (washable keyboards and the scourge of mega-sized purses).

Secondly, we have Toolboxtopics.com. Looking past the ghastly web design, the site has ready to print/adapt forms for tailgate safety meetings on numerous topics, for countless sectors of employment; an invaluable resource for the OH&S professional in a hurry.

The Importance Of Ergonomics-Focused Positions In Industrial Environments

2007-01-13T23:50:00.000-08:00

Recently, I've been searching for new ergonomics employment, and it has occured to me during the inital stages of my job hunt that the visibility of our profession in many industrial sectors is not where it should be. Any search for "ergonomics" on major job sites will mostly turn up OH&S positions where ergonomic interventions are a minor sidebar in the responsibilities column; worse, the knowledge of ergonomics is often considered to be merely an "asset".

Well, last time I checked, bad backs, sore wrists, and chronic pain occur with far greater frequency than broken bones, burns, or bumps on the head. This observation isn't meant to diminish the importance of a well-run OH&S program, but it meant to highlight the shockingly low profile that ergonomics holds in comparison to the professions of safety and industrial hygiene.

While you do hear a great deal about ergonomics in the media, it is usually within the context of the typical "office workstation" stereotype. This lends the notion that it is the domain of the office environment, while safety concerns hold court in the industrial world. Since there is a lot of media attention paid to all the things that could kill you in the industrial realm, it is easy to forget that ergonomics has much to offer hard working people in our factories, on our construction sites, and on our oil rigs.

As mentioned earlier, improper ergonomics on the job site can cause people to suffer from a variety of muscloskeletal disorders. In addition to this causing increased absenteeism as these problems worsen, a serious drain on productivity is caused when they choose to work through their pain.

The costs of this leaking bucket of productivity, absenteeism and medical bills are staggering, with estimated losses from back pain alone costing the U.S. economy $90 billion dollars per year (Source). While acute and fatal injury risks have their own self-evident importance, it is clear that companies ignore ergonomic deficits in their workplaces at their financial peril.

To tackle this problem effectively, it is vital that business leaders in industry take note of the human factor in the jobs that their employees perform, by bolstering the importance of ergonomics in their OH&S divisions. Requiring that any safety specialists that are hired have a strong background in ergonomics education/experience, or better still, creating a separate position for an ergonomist/ergonomics specialist will allow proper attention to be focused on this sector of OH&S.

Workplace health and safety problems is a multi-headed hydra: trying to fight it with one catch-all job position or philosophy will reduce the odds of defeating it. Tackling it with a multi-disciplinary approach that includes ergonomics as a major component will make it easier to master your OH&S problems.

Ergonomics In The Construction Industry

2007-01-09T19:35:00.000-08:00

In workplaces where the workstation is ever-changing, such as in the construction and demolition industries, the application of ergonomics becomes a challenge. Since there is no static work area such as a desk, workbench, etc., changing tasks can often change the rules by which many fixes are based on.

It is in these environments where the basics of the profession are put to the test. In many cases, there are limited opportunities for the purchase, transport, and usage of ergonomic devices within many companies in the industry; however, the core principles of adjustability, usability, and human-centred manual material handling can still be implemented with a little creativity.

EXAMPLE: Since workers often change job sites often (sometimes within the same day), any adjustable work bench has to be light, easily portable, and a reasonable capital cost. In cases where this is not possible, makeshift height-adjusters can be improvised through the use of 1" high blocks (or any other increment, as deemed appropriate).

Stay tuned for more examples in the future of how ergonomics can be applied to the construction/demoliton industry, as I have worked with this sector extensively over the past year!

The Return Of The Industrial Athlete

2007-01-07T20:12:00.000-08:00

It has been awhile since the last post: for this, I apologize. Real life intervened, and I found myself without the time or energy (perceived at the time) to continue with the blog.

I have decided to resurrect The Industrial Athlete, with the aim of posting twice a week. This will lessen pressure to churn out content on a daily basis. As ease of posting increases, more posts per week may occur.

Thank you for reading, and welcome back!

A Day To Honour The Fallen Worker

2006-04-28T17:47:00.000-07:00

Today is the National Day of Mourning for those killed on the job here in Canada. Every day, an average of 2 workers are killed on the job, with an average of 835 workers passing away every year. This day is a raw reminder of how far we have to go in order to make our workplaces safe not only from ergonomic issues, but from threats of potential fatalities.

As far as posting on this blog goes, it has slowed considerably lately due to the commencement of my new research job. Things were busy this past week, but as I adjust to my schedule, I will be posting more often. Expect a post early next week!

The Ergonomist's Toolbox: The NIOSH Equation

2006-04-16T21:44:00.000-07:00

This week, I have looked back upon the posts of weeks past, and since there is little distinguishing previous Sunday Spotlights, and mid-week posts such as the one on hand tools just recently, I have decided to discontinue that series.

However, I would like to introduce a new series of posts to take Spotlight's place: The Ergonomist's Toolbox. These posts will focus on online web resources that ergonomists and human factors professionals can use to help them to complete their work tasks.

One task common to ergonomists involves establishing the level of risk posed to workers by the materials that they lift and lower on a daily basis. The tool most commonly used to assess manual material handling risk is the NIOSH equation. Some professionals use tables to calculate the Recommended Weight Limit (RWL) and the Lifting Index (LI); this can be tedious and time-consuming.

Fortunately, some altruistic people out there in the ergonomics community have created tools that only require the input of relevant values, computing the desired statistics in seconds:

http://www.ohcow.on.ca/downloads/niosh91.exe -- A simple, yet effective NIOSH equation program. Highly recommended.

http://www.cdc.gov/niosh/94-110.html -- Detailed, in-depth information on the particulars of the equation from the people who created it.

http://www.ccohs.ca/oshanswers/ergonomics/niosh/assessing.html -- The "Coles Notes" version of the previous link, simplifying the explanation of the equation for those put off by jargon.

If there are any lurkers out there with any other resources they'd like to suggest, please feel free to comment. If you have any feedback on this blog thus far, also feel free to comment as well!

Proper Tool Usage: Heights, Surfaces, and Tool Types

2006-04-13T12:26:00.000-07:00

After focusing on precision and power grips during the last two Spotlights, it feels only natural to dedicate the next few posts on how to properly use hand tools in varying circumstances; this post will focus on varying surfaces and heights. Depending on the intended usage, grips that make ergonomic sense in some applications may put the user in an awkward position in another application. For example, using a power drill that has a pistol-grip setup makes sense when working on a wall but it causes extreme wrist flexion if you attempt to use it on a high horizontal surface, such as a table.

AVOID:

- Using inline-handled tools on vertical surfaces, such as walls.

- Using inline-handled tools on horizontal surfaces, such as tables, when the surface is below elbow height.

- Using pistol-grip tools on horizontal surfaces above waist height.

- Using pistol-grip tools at any height other than elbow height, when working on vertical surfaces.

DO:

- Use inline tools on horizontal surfaces at elbow height.

- Use pistol-grip tools on vertical surfaces at elbow height.

- Use pistol-grip tools on horizontal surfaces below waist height.

Sunday Spotlight: The Precision Grip

2006-04-09T21:43:00.000-07:00

Last week we focused on the power grip for the Sunday Spotlight; tonight, we shall examine its companion, the precision grip.

The precision grip is used by workers when accuracy, detail, and fine movements are necessary to complete a task. The precision grip is performed by gripping the tool in question between the thumb and the forefinger. There are two types of precision grip: an internal precision grip is performed when the tool handle lies inside the palm of the user's hand (e.g. using a knife), and an external grip is performed when the tool handle lies outside the palm (e.g. writing with a pen).

The worker using a precision grip must take care to only use it when low forces are required to use the tool in question (< 2 lb of force), as the muscles used during a precision grip are small and fatigue easily, therefore overstressing those systems can quickly lead to a injury.

How-To: Eliminating Non-Neutral Wrist Postures

2006-04-06T14:17:00.000-07:00

Continuing on with our series of posts dedicated to eliminating non-neutral postures from your workplace, today the wrist gets our special treatment. Famous for being the structure of the body (next to the back) that sprung ergonomics to mainstream recognition (think Carpal Tunnel Syndrome!), and you'll see why it's vital to ensure that this area of the body is subjected to as little stress as possible.

There are 3 major positions that the wrist enters into awkward alignments:

1) Wrist Flexion (wrist "down-bending")
2) Wrist Extension (wrist "up-bending")
3) Wrist Deviation (wrist "side-bending")

WRIST FLEXION

Problem: The objects being accessed can only be acquired below hand level, forcing the operator to flex their wrist (e.g. reaching into a part bin for a screw)

Solution: Eliminate barriers that obstruct the wrist, and/or ensure the surface is high enough to avoid wrist flexion. Examples of this include cut-outs in part bins, and adjustable height work surfaces.

WRIST EXTENSION

Problem: The objects being accessed can only be acquired above hand level, forcing the operator to extend their wrist (e.g. typing on an improperly adjusted keyboard). This awkward posture is also caused by pushing objects that lack proper handles, forcing operators to put their wrists into extension to apply the maximum possible force, and by tool handles that are inappropriate for the surface being worked on.

Solution: Adjust work surfaces so that objects can be accessed with the wrist in neutral position. Ensure carts and other frequently pushed items have handles affixed to them. Use tool with pistol-grip handles for vertical surfaces, and inline handles for horizontal ones.

WRIST SIDE-DEVIATION

Problem: The objects that are being accessed are off-centre of the hands, forcing the operator to side-bend their wrists. Wrist side-bending is also performed when tearing receipts from cash registers, putting stress on the wrist over time.

Solution: Ensure work object is presented in front of the operator before aquiring it. If the speed of a conveyor causes the operator to perform this awkward posture, slow the conveyor, reduce the flow, or enable the operator to stop their section of the conveyor if the workload gets too heavy. As for tearing register receipts, acquire cash registers with the auto-receipt cutter, eliminating the need for the operator to do the tearing task.

Sunday Spotlight (On Monday): Power Grips

2006-04-03T16:35:00.000-07:00

The focus of this week's Sunday Spotlight (written today due to a sudden personal engagement that came up yesterday) is not on an object, but rather on a technique. Power grips refers to a grip where the hand wraps fully around a handle of a tool, allowing the user to express more power to the tool being used, hence the name.

By using larger muscles in the worker's arm, they are able to impart more power to the tool for less effort on the muscle's part, greatly reducing muscular fatigue in the arm. One disadvantage of the power grip is that it lacks the precision and accuracy of the precision grip. If the task requires more than 2 lbs of force though, a power grip should be used, and accuracy requirements on the part of the user be reduced through engineering measures.

Back Injuries: Causes, Prevention, and Treatment

2006-03-31T20:10:00.000-08:00

As alluded to in the previous post, back injuries exact a large toll on the economy, as well as in the quality of life of the many workers that it afflicts. In order to properly address this issue, we must first identify the factors behind the occurence of back injuries.

Many workers handle loads that are far heavier than they should be handling, given the conditions that they work under in the first place (loads far from body, angle that the load is retrieved at, etc). The conditions listed previously add to the risk, as do the many occasions where the worker is required to repeat these tasks. Together, they add up to an increased risk of injury to the back. These injuries manifest themselves in various ways, resulting from bulging spinal discs, to sudden muscular spasms, to tears and sprains of the tendons and ligaments of back muscles.

How does one avoid such injuries? Bearing in mind that the most effective controls are engineering controls, the work environment should be changed to eliminate or greatly limit the instances where heavy loads are handled, and where back bending is required. Bringing in mechanical aids, reducing the weight of loads by spreading them out among more containers, or changing the material that work objects are made of help to reduce this risk factor. As far as posture is concerned, changing the work orientation so that all loads are situated between 33 and 38" above the standing surface, or at least between 22" and 49" above the standing surface will greatly reduce the instances where back bending is required as a work posture. Further tips of on administrative and behavioural controls can be accessed at the Mayo Clinic's website, on this page.

Regardless of the above measures, some worker may still suffer a back injury. If one of your workers, or if you are afflicted, remember that the "conventional wisdom" regarding laying on your back is largely misguided. While it is a good idea to avoid lifting objects immeadiately after an injury, laying around without movement will inhibit the flow of materials to the injury site, slowing the pace of recovery. In the case of severe, chronic back pain, surgery may be necessary. Consult your doctor if pain is persistent, in spite of initial treatment procedures.

Facts About Low Back Pain

2006-03-29T16:53:00.000-08:00

To start off my series of posts on lower back pain and its ergonomic implications, a few facts regarding the disorder to lay the foundation for the rest of the week:

80% of the population will suffer from low back pain at some point in their lives (Source: Vallfors B. Acute, Subacute and Chronic Low Back Pain: Clinical Symptoms, Absenteeism and Working Environment. Scan J Rehab Med Suppl 1985; 11: 1-98).
50% of the population will suffer from low back pain this year (Source: Vallfors B. Acute, Subacute and Chronic Low Back Pain: Clinical Symptoms, Absenteeism and Working Environment. Scan J Rehab Med Suppl 1985; 11: 1-98).
Low back pain costs the U.S. economy $90 billion dollars a year (Source).
Low back pain is defined as any pain caused by injured discs, musle contractions, or other back disorders.
Per capita health care costs for people with back pain verus those who did not suffer from back pain were 1.6 times higher ($3,498 vs. $2,177) (Source)
Two types of back pain: acute (sudden onset, lasts for a few days at the longest) and chronic (develops over time, continual or frequently recurring pain)
Those most at risk for back pain include those who engage in heavy labour, long periods of sitting or standing, people in poor physical shape, those who are chronically exposed to vibration, smokers, etc.

Just a few ways that low back pain is easily one of the greatest ergonomic challenges facing employers today...

Ergonomics In The Blogosphere: BrooklynDodger

2006-03-27T14:58:00.000-08:00

I came across Google Blog Search this morning; naturally, I searched for ergonomics. It turns out that the Sunday Spotlight made the first page! Talk about moving up in the world! In addition, I decided to search for other blogs that talk about ergonomics, and occupational health and safety. Of the entries that I found, one blog stood out. BrooklynDodger is a blog that takes research articles, and highlights findings so that they are easily understood by people who have alot on their plate and not alot of time, like myself. Despite the most recent post focusing on something not necessarily work-related (alcohol use and marital satisfaction), most of the content is very relevant to OH&S professionals.

Also, I have now added a site to the list of links on the sidebar at the left. Ergonomics in the Blogosphere uses Google Blog Search to highlight the latest mentions of ergonomics in the vast ocean of weblogs out there, many of which will belong to yours truly!

Sunday Spotlight: The Back Belt

2006-03-26T22:40:00.000-08:00

This edition of the Sunday Spotlight is not meant to highlight the attributes of a ergonomics process or device, but to dissuade people from the use of a product that is falsely promoted as being ergonomic. The back belt, first used by weightlifters to "protect" them from injury by "supporting" the muscles of their back. As time went by, those who believed in the effectiveness of back belts extrapolated this theory into workplace situations where work objects were lifted. If back belts "helped" weightlifters, then certainly they would protect the worker from harm in the conduction of their tasks.

Well, do they?

* According to a literature review in the journal Spine in 2001, "... because the randomized trials concerning lumbar supports (i.e. back belts) were consistently negative, there is strong evidence that they are not effective in prevention". (Source: Spine 26(7):778-787, April 1, 2001)

* While far less condemning than the article cited above, a study in the journal Work published in 2003 states that " ... the effectiveness of back belts to prevent back pain and injury remains inconclusive". (Source: Work 20 (3): 257-266, 2003)

* Moreover, even if back belts pose a specific benefit to workers at large, their promotion provides an easy out to those who would acquire them in order to pay lip service to ergonomics and OH&S. An article in The Journal of Occupational Rehabilitation in 1994 states while they left the option of prescribing back belts open to individual practitioners of occupational medicine, they still attached a disclaimer that said that " ... these devices should not be provided as an alternative to appropriate administrative and/or engineering controls". (Source: Journal of Occupational Rehabilitation 4(3): 125-139, September 1994)

In my opinion, the last comment is the most relevant to the debate over the use of back belts as an ergonomic intervention. It is akin to Wile E. Coyote holding up a mini-umbrella to shield him from the coming onslaught of a falling boulder. Wouldn't it make sense for him to step out of the way of the falling boulder, instead of trying in vain to shield himself from overwhelming forces that will hurt him no matter what? It is the same situation with back belts, a useless umbrella employed to deflect the overwhelming forces that are placed on the lower back by overly excessive weights or by continual back bending. It makes more sense to give that person a mechanical assist, or to redesign the workspace so that they do not have to expose themselves to dangerous postures, than to strap a pitiful piece of leather around a person's waist and expect that to protect them from the faults of a poorly designed job.

Back Pain Conventional Wisdom Challenged

2006-03-24T16:04:00.000-08:00

I hope everybody is having a great Friday, as another glorious weekend lies before us. If you've hurt your back recently though, this pronouncement may be like rubbing salt in the proverbial wound, as sufferers of back injuries must bear unspeakable pain when doing simple things like sitting down, and tying shoes (forget it, too excruciating!)

I came across an article on msn.ca this morning, challenging several pieces of back injury conventional wisdom. It's a fairly informative article, citing the results of several recent studies. As a result of reading this article, I have been inspired to dedicate time to the subject of low back pain, so next week, I will be focusing on back injuries, prevention and treatment.

Have a great weekend everybody!

Response To Case Study #2: Long-Haul Truck Driver

2006-03-23T22:58:00.000-08:00

It took a while, but I have finally settled back into a working routine here in Edmonton.

Last week, a case study was posted on long-haul truck driving: here are some suggestions, based on the identified trouble spots.

Problem #1 -- Boring drives

For many drivers, terrain can be monotonous and boring, causing alertness to wane, thus increasing the chances of an accident occurring. Air flow, music in the cab, and caffeinated beverages (within reason) all help to maintain attention, as does regular rest breaks for 10 minutes every hour or two.

Problem #2 -- Old truck seat

Old seats may lack proper support for the back, and may transmit vibration readily. Obtaining a truck seat that has a lumbar support will allow the lower back to maintain its natural curve, reducing the static forces that punish the back during prolonged sitting. Seats with bases that absorb vibration readily should be a requirement for any new seat that is purchased.

Problem #3 -- Whole body vibration

Many trucks, especially older ones, will vibrate in the cab due to the power of the engine and the truck's suspension. Keeping the truck maintained and in good working order will reduce the amount of vibration that is generated by the truck. Adopting the chair suggested in the previous recommendation will further reduce the amount of vibration that the driver is exposed to throughout their trips.

Problem #4 -- Light glare

Directly or indirectly, sun glare can blind a driver at critical times, potentially leading to a serious accident. Use of sunglasses and sun blinds can reduce the effects of glare if driving cannot be avoided. Ideally, time where the sun is low in the sky could be used as napping time for the driver, avoiding the blinding light of dusk or dawn while increasing alertness through proper rest.

Problem #5 -- Sore Hands and wrists

Over long periods of time on the road, hands and wrists can become sore from continuous soft tissue compression from contact with the wheel, and inadequate blood flow to and from the hand due to prolonged wrist extension. By softening the surface of the wheel, tissue compression is reduced. Backing the truck seat away from the wheel so that the wrist is no longer in extension is also a possibility that should be explored. Finally, change the position of the hands and wrists on the wheel periodically to promote dynamic blood flow.

Problem #6 -- Unfit worker

Due to the sendentary nature of the job, as well as the large food portions at meals that are traditionally had by truck drivers, the drivers are often out of shape. Because of this, their energy levels degrade over time, contributing to fatigue, which increases the risk of accidents. Instituting a wellness program, where proper nutrition is emphasized, as well as the importance of at least 30 minutes of everyday physical activities a day, will increase energy available to the driver, reducing the chances of an incident occurring from fatigue.

Case Study: The Long-Haul Truck Driver

2006-03-16T14:43:00.000-08:00

For case study #2, we will profile the truck driver. The operator of this hypothetical truck has the following situations to deal with:

Long periods of driving on the road, occasionally across boring terrain, and at night.
A truck seat that is old, and therefore lacks proper support for the back.
Continuous low-level, whole body vibration from the operation of the truck.
Contends with low-sun glare, as well as glare from other vehicles.
The driver complains of sore hands and wrists at the end of the day.
The driver, from the sendentary nature of the job, is overweight and gets tired easily.

I can't promise an exact date for responding with answers to this case study because I am moving to a new house in Edmonton, Alberta this weekend, and I am unsure of my laptop's ability to connect with the wireless hub there. If everything goes smoothly, expect the next post early next week, on Monday or Tuesday.

Have a great weekend!

How To: Reducing Non-Neutral Elbow Postures

2006-03-14T14:43:00.001-08:00

It's been a little while since the last installment in this ongoing series of non-neutral body postures, so today I have decided to focus on the elbow/forearm area. There are 2 main kinds of non-neutral orientation in the elbow/forearm area, and they are (1) Elbow/Forearm Rotation and (2) Elbow Extension.

ELBOW/FOREARM ROTATION

Problem: The operator has to screw in or tighten a work object (e.g. using a screwdriver to insert a screw into a wall), exposing the elbow/forearm to repetitive rotations, fatiguing and eventually causing inflammation in the tendons of the lower arm.

Solution: Acquire a powered tool that will insert or remove screws mechanically. Valves should be maintained regularly to keep rotation forces to a minimum, should be engineered so that rotation is easy or unnecessary, or they should be made large enough that both hands and larger muscles can be used to activate/close the valve.

ELBOW EXTENSION

Problem: The operator has to acquire or manipulate a work object that is located far from the operator's position, forcing them to extend their elbows to complete the task.

Solution: Locate the work closer to the operator, eliminating physical obstacles that force the operator to extend their elbow. Work objects should ideally be located within 12" of the operator's position, and no more than 18" for occasional use.

Ergonomics In The Mainstream Media: Improper Shift Schedules And Train Collisions

2006-03-13T14:45:00.000-08:00

I don't know if anybody out there in Canada caught this last weekend, but on Discovery Channel's Mayday: Head-On Collision, they profiled the factors behind the cause of the Hinton Train Collision. In 1986, trains that would normally pass by each other on separate pieces of track ended up, through a tragic series of errors, on the same rail, and smashed into one another at top speed. 23 people were killed, and scores of other passengers on the train were seriously injured.

Alison Smiley of Human Factors North served as an ergonomics expert at the subsequent inquiry into the disaster, and lent her voice to the television special, appearing for a 10 minute segment on the ergonomic aspects surrounding that tragic day.

Despite the fact that warning lights told the conductor of the freight train to stop, the train sped on unimpeded. Why did this come to pass? According to the program, the train conductors were very tired on the day of the incident, getting 5 hours of sleep or less. The collective fatigue of the freight train crew may have caught up with them, as a combination of being asleep on the job led to signals not being sighted and a rigged deadman's pedal kept the freight train on schedule to reach its final, horrific destination.

Why were the conductors getting so little sleep? Why was the Deadman's Pedal rigged with a lunchbox? The conductors got little sleep frequently because when they were working, they were on call 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. Not being able to settle into a pattern of wakeful alertness and sleep, their circadian rhythms were messed up, resulting in low energy levels when awake, as the body thought it should be sleeping when it wasn't. As for the Deadman's Pedal, it was rigged because in order for it to function as intended, the operator would have to keep the pedal depressed for the vast majority of the time in order for the train to run (taking the foot off triggers an alarm fairly shortly afterwards, shutting the train off briefly after that). As it is fatiguing to do this for hours at a time, they rigged the switch so that they could drive the train in comfort.

A perfect storm of these extenuating factors led to the train collision, a day of infamy in the history of Canada. Nowadays, CN has a anti-fatigue system that has been lauded by other in the railway industry, and the Deadman's Pedal has been replaced by pressing a sequence of controls regularly, freeing up the foot from that duty.

Indeed, ergonomics can mean the difference between a MSD and good health, or between a catastrophic disaster and getting home safely.

New Web Resource Added To Link Column

2006-03-12T22:11:00.000-08:00

This evening, I added a new link to the left sidebar. Thomasnet is a website that has catalogued the home pages of innumerable companies that sell industrial ergonomic products. Looking for a specific type of conveyor or lift system? Just type what you're looking for in the search engine on the main page, and you're well on your way to finding what you need!

Sunday Spotlight: The Load Leveler

2006-03-12T21:44:00.000-08:00

The focus of this week's Sunday Spotlight features a device that allows workers that unload material off pallets and carts without having them place their bodies in compromising positions. The load leveler, which can be found in applications ranging from carts to pallet holders, automatically adjusts its height as weight is added or removed from it, keeping the loading/unloading height at a proper level. This is accomplished through tension springs that compact or uncoil as weight above it is added or removed.

As with any ergonomic technology though, it will be of little benefit if it is not adjusted properly. Ensure that the load leveler functions so that the loading/unloading height falls between 33" and 38" above the standing surface, and ensure the retrieval area near the load leveler is free from obstructions that would make item retrieval difficult. Ideally, a load leveler that rotates would be the best model to acquire, as it allows for nearside retrieval of items that would otherwise require a long reach across the pallet.

Have current or past experience with load levelers? Feel free to share your wisdom in the comments below!

Hedonomics: The Next Step In Ergonomics Engineering?

2006-03-10T16:09:00.000-08:00

I found this article when surfing through ergonomics news this afternoon. Turns out the next step in ergonomics is to make work not just easy to perform, but pleasurable! Seems like a logical evolution to me, who wouldn't want to do work that is enjoyable, rather than just easy?

Answers to Case Study #1: Retrieving Stock In A Retail Warehouse

2006-03-10T14:37:00.000-08:00

A few things to start off today's post before we get down to business. Over the last week, I have been very busy, making preparations to move from Calgary to Edmonton, Alberta. Henceforth, I have had little time over the past week to blog. Over this week, I should have plenty of time to dedicate to The Industrial Athlete, partly to help make up for lost time. Next weekend though, I will be moving most of my stuff up to my new place in Edmonton, so disruptions in posting may occur again.

Not only did last Friday's post mark the first case study to be examined on this blog, it also marked the occasion of The Industrial Athlete's first commenter. Congratulations SkookumJoe, you have just become a trivia question (i.e. first commenter)!

Staying with the comment that Joe made, he summed up one of the top problems that plague our hypothetical retail stock room...

Problem #1 -- Too much stock

This stock room has too much stock. Rows upon rows of goods that are out of season, or are present in quantities that surpass the "pull" from the consumer. This overstocking problem leads to crowded hallways, making navigation difficult. It causes goods and other non-sale items to be placed on the floor due to lack of space, increasing the risk of tripping and damage to the goods that are on the floor. It also leads to goods that are placed at a height that requires the worker to perform work above their shoulders and to use ladders, increasing muscular fatigue and retrieval time.

The solution to this problem would involve scheduling a lean intervention, putting into place a just-in-time delivery system for goods as they are needed. Goods should be acquired in quantities that address the consumer need for them (e.g. middle shoe sizes should be ordered in greater quantities than small or big shoe sizes) so that the store will not be caught short of the product that the consumer is seeking. Doing this would free up space in the stock room, allowing for easier movement within the area, and easier access to products that would otherwise be on higher shelves.

Problem #2 -- The ladders are few in number, and very heavy

For work that does require a ladder, getting access to one is difficult in our stock room. There are only a few ladders that are in the stock room, some of which are frequently taken by store staff to areas on the floor. The end result often leaves the staff in the stock room with the ladders that are much too high or heavy for practical use. This causes the staff to "climb" the shelves to access the stock needed, or to a dangerous attempt to move the heavy ladder into place.

Acquiring more lightweight ladders would be the step taken in this case. More importantly, a policy should be drawn up to restrict certain ladders to the stock room, while allocating others to the floor. Painting a stripe on the stock ladders would help define a stock ladder from a floor ladder. The heavy ladders should be replaced with stair ladders that have locking wheels that are easy to engage and disengage, accomplishing both ease of movement along with a higher height.

Problem #3 -- Manual material handling of heavy pieces of stock

When retrieving goods from the stock room, some pieces may exceed limits beyond what the worker's body can handle. Improper lifting techniques may be used, increasing stress on the lower back and other body structures. Pieces may be lifted and carried off the stock shelves without assistance, for reasons of self-determination or the activity level of the store. Finally, heavy objects may be located higher than they ought to be located, leading to increased physiological stress on the worker in question.

By using the NIOSH equation, common lifts can be analysed to see if they are safe to perform, given the parameters of the lift itself. If the lifting index is below 1, the lift can be considered to be relatively safe. Between 1 and 3, the lift is considered to be risky, and should be examined ASAP. Above 3, the lift poses a severe risk, and should be examined immeadiately. Proper lifting technique should be taught to workers (keep the load as close to the body as possible, bend with the knees, square up to the load instead of lifting it from an angle, etc), and mechanical assistance or help from another worker should be enlisted if the load exceeds safe lifting limits. If the load is within "safe limits", but the worker feels uncomfortable doing the lift, assistance should be sought before initating the lift. Finally, position heavier items on lower shelves (between 28" to 35" off the standing surface) so that retrieval is optimized, avoiding back bending or overhead reaching. In general, all retrieval of stock should take place between the knees and the shoulders to minimize physical stress on the body.

Problem #4 -- The carts

The carts provided are non-height adjustable, and one of the carts is a cheap box cart, fitted only with a rope for a handle. When unloading stock onto the sales floor, the worker often has to bend over at the back to retrieve items at the bottom of the boxes, causing increased stress to the lower back structures. The rope on the box cart makes it hard to steer, causing frustration and lost time, especially when the cart runs into displays, necessitating pauses to fix the disturbance left by the collision.

Acquiring adjustable height carts will allow the worker will retrieve stock from the cart at an acceptable working weight (between 33" and 38" off the standing surface). If the employer has more money to spare, a cart with an angle-adjustable surface should be considered, which will keep the stock closer to the worker in addition to maintaining a proper retrieval height. Alternatively, look into acquiring a load-levelling cart. They automatically adjust the cart height as stock is removed from the cart, eliminating the need for the worker to re-adjust the height themselves as they go.

Problem #5 -- Lack of visibility at the stock room doors

Finally, the stock room doors often are opened without warning, often striking unsuspecting workers on the other side. This has the potential to injure an employee's hand/head, not to mention scaring the wits out of them!

Putting a glass window will allow parties on both sides to know if anyone is approaching on the other side. Alternatively, a motion sensor could be placed near the doors, alerting workers on the other side to know when another worker is approaching, through an audio alarm. Also, a policy should be instituted where all workers opening stock room doors must open them slowly, allowing anyone on the other side to notice before placing themselves in harm's way.

Case Study: Retrieving Stock In A Retail Warehouse

2006-03-03T16:10:00.000-08:00

This post marks the debut of a new feature here at The Industrial Athlete. It takes hypothetical situations in the workplace and asks you to diagnose what could be done to improve the situations from a health, safety, and ergonomic standpoint.

For our first case study, we have a retail stock room where items of varying weight and bulk are retrieved. The details:

Currently, ladders are used to access high shelves. These ladders however, are few in number, and all of them are heavy (40 lbs +). Moving them alone, as is often the case, is dangerous, and no less fatiguing.

The hallways between the shelving units are narrow, and carts often get stuck trying to turn around in them.

The carts, also few in number, are not adjustable, and one of them is a small box cart with a rope for a handle.

The doorway into the stock room area often swings open without warning, due to the lack of visibility from the outside in.

In the receiving area, shipments often clutter up the floor in front of accessways to the stock shelves, making transport difficult.

Using this specific information, along with general knowledge regarding operations in a retail stock room environment, identify ways that this workspace can be made safer and more efficient.

Answers will be posted on Tuesday!

NOTE: Sunday Spotlight will become Tuesday Spotlight this week, due to a trip being made out of town by yours truly over the weekend. See you next week!

Ergonomics In The News: Fitting Job To (The) Worker

2006-02-26T23:43:00.000-08:00

Using the Google News search link that I created on the left sidebar, I found an excellent write-up on our profession (even if it uses the cliche "carpal tunnel syndrome" reference) in the Baltimore Sun, published on February 22nd. Hurray for mainstream media exposure!

Article link

Sunday Spotlight: Anti-Fatigue Matting

2006-02-26T23:30:00.000-08:00

(picture courtesy http://www.osha.gov)

For people that work at stationary workstations for the majority of their day, anti-fatigue matting is an indispensible material that saves many from sore feet, legs, and backs. It does this by replacing the hard floor beneath with a mat comprised of a softer, more compressible material, such as rubber. This allows the tremendous forces expressed by the operator's body to be absorbed by the matting, rather than it being reflected back at the operator's feet. The mat deforms under pressure from the body, greatly reducing fatigue caused by prolonged exposure to a hard floor.

The mat also encourages blood flow in the legs, as the softness of the mat causes minute muscular contractions resulting from slight movements that would not otherwise happen on a harder surface. This allows improved transport of nutrients and waste to and from the legs, thereby reducing the buildup of lactic acid, a compound that is partly repsonsible for pain in the legs after a long shift of static standing.

When selecting an anti-fatigue mat, be sure that:

The mat is soft enough to be comfortable, but hard enough to allow the operator to maintain a stable footing.

Has beveled edges so that separate mats can lock together, reducing a potential tripping hazard.

The environment where the mat is being used is considered. In a wet environment, the mat material should be non-slip to reduce slipping hazards. In a hospital, mats should be easy to clean to avoid infection hazards.

Also, be sure to inspect any anti-fatigue matting that you may have on a regular basis. Matting that has gone hard from prolonged use will be less effective than a newer mat, and older mats may curl at the edges, creating a tripping hazard.

While jobs should be designed to incorporate as much movement as possible, the hazards of static standing are often unavoidable. The anti-fatigue mat does much to migtigate those risks; henceforth, no standing workstation should be deprived of its benefits.

Ergonomics: Not Just For Humans Anymore

2006-02-19T21:44:00.000-08:00

Though the aim of this blog is to focus on issues within the field of ergonomics, I could not resist posting a link to this entry on a personal weblog that I stumbled across this evening.

Ergonomics: making life better for humans, and their best friends!

Sunday Spotlight: The Computer Mouse

2006-02-19T20:23:00.000-08:00

After the chair, one of the most often used implements in today's office is the computer mouse. Pictured above is a typical mouse with no-frills or amenities. It is because of its design and increased use however, that it can contribute to the development of Carpal Tunnel Syndrome (Source: Ergonomics, Volume 42, Number 10, pg 1350 - 1360), among other aggravations.

The rise of the body of the mouse relative to the work surface causes the user to put their wrist into sustained extension, narrowing the carpal tunnel within the wrist. With the use of the fine muscles in the forearm to perform mousing tasks, the tendons from those muscles rub against the ligaments and the median nerve, causing inflammation in the tendons, subsequently causing compression of the median nerve, and thus, the symptoms that characterize Carpal Tunnel Syndrome.

Additionally, a standard mouse with a trackball bottom tends to get dirty on a regular basis, resulting in increased effort to move the mouse, and wasted time spent cleaning the insides of the mouse to restore responsiveness. Ironically, the latest advances in mousing technology have created new problems in spite of "solving" the old issues. Wireless mice drain the batteries that they run on fairly quickly, thus not solving the wasted time issue; it is plausible that they may have made it even worse, especially if a fresh supply of batteries is not readily at hand!

In light of the issues addressed above, here is some general infomation and advice to keep in mind when obtaining a mouse:

Ideally, a vertical mouse or a pistol-grip mouse should be acquired. These mice require the user to keep their wrists in a neutral orientation (i.e. the "handshake" position) in order to be operated.

The mouse that you use should be an optical mouse, and those of the wired variety. This ties the mouse to a constant power source, eliminating the maintenance issues of the old trackball mice and wireless mice. Any issues with the wire can be minimized by keeping the hard drive close enough to the user so that there is enough slack, avoiding a "tug of war" between the user and the hard drive.

The mouse should be positioned so that the user does NOT have to reach for it. The mouse should be right in the palm of the user's hand without having to move the forearm off the armrest of their chair.

All mouse users should take a 3-5 minute microbreak per hour from their computer to help break up cumulative stress from continuous usage of the mouse.

The user should cradle the mouse in the palm of their hand, and should avoid gripping it. Doing so will reduce muscular stress in the tendons of the forearm muscles.

Human Factors vs. Ergonomics: Are They The Same? Are They Different?

2006-02-17T17:06:00.000-08:00

From somebody who has recently become interested in our field, to some of our most seasoned professionals, it has been the subject of confusion and debate. In research articles, business circles, and in the mainstream media, the terms "human factors" and "ergonomics" have been used interchangably, implying that they are essentially one and the same.

However, those who use the term "human factors" primarily to describe their work often deal in more specific subject matter than those who use "ergonomics" to describe themselves. This distinction is so pronounced that the BCPE has two separate designations at the top of their professional accreditation structure, CPE (Certified Professional Ergonomist), and CHFP (Certified Human Factors Professional).

Indeed, those who engage in human factors work tend to concentrate on the cognitive side of the field, and are often involved in the design of controls and complex systems. Alternatively, those who identify themselves as ergonomics professionals often concern themselves with human performance issues (e.g. manual material handling, anthropometric compatibility, awkward posture reduction, etc).

However, to muddy the waters further, there are instances on both sides of the profession where they cross over to the other's specialty, and use that information to flesh out the completion of their respective tasks. For example, a human factors professional will position important controls within 12" of the operator to avoid extended reaching, a design guideline often utilized in physical ergonomic interventions. When consulting operators in the workplace, a ergonomist may recommend the colouring of controls and the moving parts that they control in the same colour. This recommendation, often made by human factors professionals, improves the neurological perception of the operator in relation to the controls that they are supposed to trigger, reducing the learning curve for new employees and overall operator error.

Overall, human factors and ergonomics are the same in definition: the science of studying workplaces in order to improve safety, efficiency, and human performance. The difference in the two terms occurs where definition of work in the field is concerned: the first instances of human factors being implemented in the U.S. occured with the military, where the bulk of work performed concerned the design of complex systems, such as fighter jets. The term stuck wherever work on controls, systems, and human cognition was being conducted, hence its association to this day. Ergonomics came in as a defining term as the profession evolved, as the focus shifted towards human performance, hence its association with physical issues.

In conclusion, this blog will use "ergonomics" to refer to all issues addressed by this blog, as the science of fitting the work to the person should be linked to one term.

We are in the business of making things easier for people, so clearing up confusion ought to be one of our specialities!

How-To: Reducing Non-Neutral Shoulder Postures

2006-02-10T13:16:00.000-08:00

Today, I will be continuing an ongoing series of primers to help our readers identify non-neutral body postures. Today's area of focus is the shoulder. The shoulder is a loosely-bound confluence of body structures, being the meeting place of the humerus (upper arm) and the clavicle (collarbone). As such, unnecessary work-related stress can put the joint at risk for injury.

There are 3 major situations where the shoulder can be found outside of its neutral orientation:

SHOULDER FLEXION

Problem: The work system/object in question is outside of the operator's optimal envelope of reach (12"), forcing them to reach forward, putting their shoulder into a position known as flexion.

Solution: Bring the work system/object closer to the operator so that they are within 12" optimally, and no further than 18". Eliminate/reduce any physical barriers that prevent the operator from getting sufficiently close to their work, provided that eliminating that physical barrier does not compromise safety.

SHOULDER EXTENSION

Problem: The operator interacts with work systems/objects behind them out of neccesity/habit, or pulls a cart instead of pushing it.

Solution: Situate the work systems/objects in front or the side of the operator, placing the controls/objects within 12" of the operator optimally, and no more than 18" overall. Have the worker use a push cart rather than one that is pulled, as it uses larger muscle groups than pulling does, thus reducing the damaging effects of chronic muscle fatigue (Source: OSHA)

SHRUGGED SHOULDERS

Problem: The work surface is too high for the work being performed on it, causing the operator to shrug their shoulders. Work systems/objects accessed above shoulder level also causes shrugging of the shoulders.

Solution: Adjust the working height so that fall within the parameters of the work that is being performed. The work surface should be between 37.5" - 47" for precision tasks, 33.5" - 43" for light work, and 26" - 37" for heavy work (Source: CCOHS). All work surfaces should be fully adjustable to allow for appropriate micro adjustments. All work systems/objects should be accessible below shoulder level as much as humanly possible.

Sunday Spotlight: The Office Chair

2006-02-05T20:04:00.000-08:00

The office chair. The primary focal point of stereotypes when it comes to the public's perception of ergonomics...

... and tonight, the focus of this week's Sunday Spotlight!

For the office worker, it is the most important of equipment that they come into contact during the course of their day. The vast majority of their productive time is spent while seated in these devices. The ability, or lack thereof, of the chair to accomodate the worker's needs can prevent or actively encourage muscloskeletal disorders.

The negative issues surrounding ergonomically-incorrect chairs are numerous, a few examples being:

A chair lacking vertical adjustment may result in a worker being too low to type properly at their workstation, causing soft tissue compression in the wrists. Coversely, the worker may be situated too high, forcing them to hunch over, which can lead to back problems. Furthermore, a chair that is too high for the user can cause soft tissue compression in the lower thighs, impeding blood circulation in the lower legs.

A lack of a proper lumbar back support causes the lower back muscles to engage in static contractions, which can lead to lower back pain over time.

A lack of armrests forces the user to support the weight of their arms themselves, which can lead to fatigue and pain.

And so on and so forth...

As I eluded to in the introduction to this post, chairs are an ergonomically-complex subject. However, a few general rules apply when selecting an office chair for your business...

Adjustability is everything. From the chair height, to the armrests and the back support, the ability to change the layout of the chair to suit the person who will be working in it is crucial. Ergonomic interventions become a lot less complicated when you have the relativity of many different settings, rather than the absolutes of only a few.

Back supports are a must. Sitting for hours on end without a proper back support will expose the lower back muscles to punishing static forces that will mess them up in the long run. A back support that allows the lumbar curve of the lower vertabrae to be retained will greatly reduce these forces.

Train office workers on how to properly adjust their chairs, and what they are designed to do. The latest, most ergonomically-compliant chair on the market will yield you no returns if the person sitting in it does not know how to use it. They will continue utilizing old postures out of habit unless they are instructed and convinced otherwise.

How To: Reducing Non-Neutral Neck Postures

2006-02-01T15:32:00.000-08:00

Today, I will begin a series that will serve as a primer on how to reduce or eliminate non-neutral body postures. Non-neutral body postures are one of the two key drivers of ergonomic issues in the workplace (the other being excessive force). This first post will focus on the neck.

There are 4 different postures that the neck can assume outside of the neutral position. They are: flexion (bending down), extension (looking up, neck bent back), side-bending, and rotation (looking over your shoulder).

If the operator's neck is in any of these positions more than twice in an average minute, non-neutral neck postures are an ergonomic issue in your workplace.

The following suggestions may be overly general, and may not be feasible depending on the workplace in question, but they are meant to serve as a general guide, and they should be utilized if it is at all possible to do so.

Neck Flexion (looking down):

PROBLEM: The object/work surface/fixture is too low.

SOLUTION: Raise the work surface so that the operator can engage the object/work surface/fixture without bending the neck more than 20 degrees downward.

Neck Extension (looking up):

PROBLEM: The object/work surface/fixture is too high.

SOLUTION: Lower the work surface so that the operator can engage the object/work surface/fixture without bending the neck upwards.

Neck Side-Bending:

PROBLEM: The object/work surface/fixture is off-centre from the operator, or a physical barrier between the work area and the operator forces them to assume this posture.

SOLUTION: Re-align the work area or the operator so that they are directly in front of the area in question. Remove or reduce the physical barrier, or move work to area of the facility where physical barriers do not pose a problem. Use mirrors to allow the operator to see the work area while keeping their neck in a non-neutral posture.

Neck Rotation (looking over the shoulder):

PROBLEM: There are work objects that require the operator to look to the side in order to complete their tasks.

SOLUTION: Bring controls closer and/or in front of the operator so that they do not require the operator to look constantly to the side. Have all important objects within a 12" reach, and all other objects within 18". For drivers, where checking over the shoulder is a necessity of operation, share driving with another operator, or if alone, take a break from driving once every 2 hours for 10 minutes.

Sunday Spotlight: Gloves

2006-01-29T19:48:00.000-08:00

We use them to protect our hands from rough/sharp surfaces, heat, cold, and harmful chemicals. Gloves of a certain construction allow a user to apply a more forceful grip on a slippery object. In summary, they keep us comfortable and safe when performing difficult tasks. However, gloves can pose problems on top of the issues that they were designed to address. Thus, it is important that the drawbacks of certain gloves be considered before being employed.

Basic Guidelines:

Gloves should not fit so tight that they constrict blood flow in the hand, yet they should not be so loose that they negatively affect the user's dexterity.

"Blue-dot", or nitrile gloves should be used in occasions where extra grip is required. The material increases the coefficient of friction between the hand and the object, allowing the object to be held easier, or a fixture to turned with greater ease.

Gloves with a Kevlar coating should be used in work environment where cuts/abrasions are a risk.

Silicone gloves protect the user well in areas where burning hot surfaces pose a hazard. Gloves with Thinsulate material (and optimally, moisture-wicking material) work best for the worker confronted with cold conditions.

Chemical gloves should have an extension at the wrist to cover the lower forearm to protect against "catastrophic" chemical spills.

Overall, a glove will generally decrease manual dexterity (except for nitrile gloves), increasing the force required to perform manual tasks, and increasing the risk of operator error (through accidental triggering of a wrong button, for example). Before employing gloves in a work situation, ensure that the overall force needed to perform manual tasks is reduced as much as possible, and increase the space between controls to compensate for the loss in dexterity in the gloved hands. This way the protective benefits of gloves can be had, while minimizing the drawbacks.

Exercise Programs: Do They Have A Place In Ergonomic Interventions?

2006-01-28T20:28:00.000-08:00

In the previous post, I mentioned how the exercise ball had a role in the ergonomics profession (that is, as part of a well-designed exercise program). How does this relate to improved work performance?

Among other benefits, exercise has been shown to:

Reduce feelings of depression and anxiety
Promote psychological well-being and reduce feelings of stress
Help build and maintain healthy bones, muscles, and joints
Helps older adults become stronger and better able to move about without falling or becoming excessively fatigued

(Source: Center for Disease Control)

By mitigating the effects of depression, and engendering a positive outlook on life, exercise programs can allow a worker to better focus on the task at hand, rather than allowing stress to damage their productivity levels. The occupational health journal Work published an article on occupational stress cessation techniques in 2001, stating that short periods of meditation, the practice of daily exercise programs can be helpful to workers experiencing occupational stress.

(Source: Work, Volume 17, Number 3 / 2001, pg 235-245)

Nevertheless, exercise should not be substituted for ergonomic engineering interventions in a workplace suffering from high levels of occupational injury and illness, just like a band-aid should not be substituted for a proper dressing on a gaping wound. Exercise programs have an optimizing effect on well-being in any work environment, but all the stretching and weightlifting in the world won't prevent a badly-designed assembly line from causing high incidences of back, shoulder and wrist injuries.

As with any post/topic on this blog, debate and discussion is encouraged.

Sunday Spotlight: Exercise Balls

2006-01-22T20:02:00.000-08:00

If you are relatively familiar with the latest developments in seating trends in the office, then you may have caught wind of the recent craze surrounding exercise balls. Some consultants have recommended their use over the traditional office chair, citing the active use of muscles to keep the worker stable, reducing static postures.

Yet, as an ergonomic consultant with a degree in Kinesiology, I must come out against the use of exercise balls as a seating option in the workplace.

Why is this?

Since this chair lacks back support of any kind, this means that back muscles are in active contractions for up to 8 hours a day or more, leading to fatigue and IMO, the possibility of overuse injuries. Furthermore, the risk of being suddenly startled could lead to a fall, with consequences ranging from an embarrassing moment, to the risk of incurring an acute injury (think hot coffee spilling everywhere, or hitting your wrist or head on a hard surface). The exercise ball has its role within the ergonomic universe though, as part of a well-designed exercise program. Healthier employees make more productive employees; the exercise ball allows core stabilizers to be strengthened through various routines, thus allowing it to a valuable contributor in this context.

As far as office seating goes, a well-designed chair with adjustable height, armrests, and back support will allow the worker to maintain neutral postures. Combined with regular breaks and microbreaks, this allows the muscles and joints to experience the least stress necessary in the tasks they perform, reducing the chance that a musculoskeletal disorder will develop.

The Definition of Ergonomics, And Why We Need To Be Aware Of Ergo Charlatans

2006-01-21T19:59:00.001-08:00

Out of all the questions faced by ergonomics professionals, the one that is posed the most reflects the lack of mainstream exposure that our profession has gotten. That question of course, is what the heck is ergonomics anyway?

Taken literally, ergonomics means "work laws", derived from the Greek term ergo nomos.

Applied practically, it means the study of interactions between humans and the work systems they use everyday. Based on these observations, measures are undertaken in an effort to improve the usability and safety of these work systems, thereby reducing injuries, fatalities and material waste, as well as increasing worker productivity.

These days, ergonomics is starting to become better known in pop culture, through "ergonomically-designed" snow shovels or garden tools. Vigilance must be undertaken by all ergonomics professionals on this point, as failing to point out unwarranted claims of ergonomic compliance by opportunistic marketers will cheapen the "ergo" brand as a whole, which will make it harder to sell our profession as an immensely useful part of the scientific & engineering community.

Welcome To The Industrial Athlete

2006-01-16T22:35:00.000-08:00

Through a cursory examination of the science and engineering blogosphere, there seems to be a lack of information regarding human factors and ergonomics. This blog will aim to fill that gap, posting the latest news on topics relating to human factors and ergonomics, providing commentary on various issues within the field, and providing case studies that, in time, will allow collaborative problem solving on various workplace problems.

Feedback is welcome and encouraged from the ergonomics community. Together, let's see where this venture can lead!