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Is this job repetitive? (How 0-30% of the day might still be “repetitive”, or 67% may not be)

We are often asked to help employers accommodate workers with restrictions against “repetitive” work, or “repetitive” shoulder, back, or wrist demands. What is “repetitive”? Health & Safety Ontario’s relatively new Physical Demands Analysis Form uses these criteria for “frequency”: N=Not required R=Rarely (<2%) O=Occasional (3-33%) F=Frequent (34-66%) and C=Constant (67-100%) Over the years, “occasional/frequent/constant” have […]
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Why does my neck hurt when I wear bifocals?

As we age, those of us who have always needed glasses for far vision often find themselves in need of bifocal lenses. Bifocal, multifocal, or “progressive” lenses, allow those of us with lousy distance and lousy near vision to see the world using one pair of glasses. They’re pretty amazing if you consider the alternative: […]
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How to write “how-to” instructions

Step-by-step instructions are important communication tools in business, and elsewhere. If you’ve ever assembled a bookcase, you appreciate the value of a good task analysis, which forms the basis for good instructions. In the world of ergonomics, we use task analysis in physical/cognitive demands analysis (PDA/CDAs), and to develop training. First, training….Your company may have […]
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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 […]
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Use two hands!

In factories and offices alike, employees report more strain/sprain injuries in the dominant hand, wrist, elbow, and shoulder, because the demands on this hand are much higher than the other hand. If we could evenly distribute work demands between the left and the right hands, we’d reduce the incidence of injury. So, when I say, […]
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