07
Dec, 20
Can workers exert maximum strength at work?
Workers who exert more than their own maximum strength are at risk of accident or injury.
02
Nov, 20
Hiring? What should orientation include about ergonomics?
New employee orientation typically focuses on important tips like how to get paid, and how to avoid getting hit by a truck at work – admittedly high priorities for both employees and employers. However, new employee orientation offers a one-time opportunity to encourage employees to practice ergonomics. Here are the things that I wish employees […]
27
Aug, 20
Two ways to lift a rock – which is more “ergo”?
Carrie’s dad lives in Muskoka, where landscaping the shoreline is always a work in progress. There is one rock pile, in particular, that has been by the dock for 20 years, waiting to be tackled. Carrie’s son, Dax, spent some time at his Grandpa’s this summer. Missing the gym, he was willing to challenge the […]
07
Apr, 20
Do your part: Help essential workers do their jobs, ergonomically
In our virtual team meetings, we’ve been talking about how to help home office workers. But what can we do to help essential workers, outside of their homes? Now is not the time to provide training or workplace assessments. Some of these jobs are more demanding than ever before – those of us who are […]
23
Apr, 19
A force gauge is an ergonomist’s best friend!
Force gauges are used by ergonomists to collect quantitative data for PDAs and ergonomics assessments of pushing, pulling, and lifting tasks. We often take measurements 5-6 times, to ensure we are collecting the most accurate data possible, so it’s important to have a force gauge that can “measure” up to the task. A variety of […]
17
Sep, 18
How to develop hazard-specific ergonomics training
(Estimated reading time: 3:10) The Ontario Ministry of Labour Municipal Ergo Initiative has recently created a focus on encouraging “ergonomic” work practices amongst employees, particularly in public works. Clients have asked us to develop training that will encourage these employees to use safe work practices, and we are hard at work on this project. We’ve […]
15
Jun, 18
What is the supervisor’s role in ergonomics?
A supervisor has a legislated responsibility for musculoskeletal injury prevention (aka ergonomics) that s/he rarely understands, and often has difficult fulfilling effectively. The supervisor needs to: – be an expert in the best work practices that his or her workers are expected to use. Sometimes it’s difficult even for experienced workers to identify, agree on, […]
07
Jun, 18
Lean and mean?
How the elimination of “waste” from production is increasing the risk of musculoskeletal disorders (MSDs) amongst workers. by Karen Hoodless I recently attended a webinar given by Dr. Patrick Neumann (Associate Professor in the Mechanical and Industrial Engineering Department at Ryerson University), where he “Exposes the link between MSDs and Lean Production.” Most people have […]