News

Ergonomics and Work System Design – May 24 Webinar Highlights

Studies show that the longer a company waits to implement ergonomic interventions, the more costly it becomes (Miles & Swift, 1998). By 20% of the way into the design process, typically 80% of the resources have been allocated; trying to influence a design at this stage is more difficult and more expensive. (But not as […]
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MIN Summit Keynote – Ray Tanguay

On May 1, 2013, our team had the opportunity to attend the Manufacturing Innovation Network (MIN) Summit in Kitchener, Ontario. The keynote speaker, Ray Tanguay, (Chairman, Toyota Canada Inc.) discussed the importance of investing in innovation, steps Canadian businesses should be taking to compete in the market, and how to sustain a successful business by applying […]
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Designing for “Joe Average”

If we design for the “average person”, we’ve covered our bases right? The average person would theoretically have average-sized arms, hands, legs, and feet, so one might think that we should be able to accommodate most people by designing for the average. Unfortunately it’s not that simple. Design for average typically leaves those at the extremes […]
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29 Apr, 13

1000 words – photography and ergonomics

As “seasoned” ergonomists, we have been using digital cameras for years – our first digital camera, purchased in 1995, cost $1500, took grainy black and white photos, had a non-replaceable battery, internal (only) memory, and held a  maximum of 20 photos. And yet, we were ecstatic to be able to put photos directly into our […]
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22 Apr, 13

Thoughts of summer…planning for heat stress season

Winter has finally left us in peace! Our minds are drifting to summer barbeques, beaches, and the fact that we won’t have to haul around a bulky jacket! It’s still only spring – is it too early to think about heat stress? In winter, no one would think twice before gearing up to go outside […]
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Ergonomics and pride of workmanship

From Wikipedia: “Workmanship refers to the quality of the work of an artisan or craftsman.” I had always thought of “workmanship” the domain of artists. A few years ago, I had an “aha moment.” I woke up after unexpected but thankfully minor surgery to find the doctor peering over me with a prideful smirk on […]
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21 Feb, 13

Move over, Goldilocks!

Our team meets every second Friday to share ideas, finish “one-off” projects, and learn about new methods. Each person has his/her own favourite spot to sit. But in between team meetings, we often run open enrollment training. So other people come in and sit in “our” seats. They make adjustments (especially in our office ergo […]
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21 Jan, 13

Shovel safely!

Winter brings out the ergonomist in us – Karen was recently watching with interest as her husband shovelled the driveway. In fact, she was so intrigued with the process, that she spontaneously launched a full scale ergonomics assessment! (Is it any coincidence that the analysis process required approximately the same time as it took for […]
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