safety

worker being instructed how to remove heavy pan from oven
10 Oct, 23

When does “reinstructing the worker” help?

Some of our clients pass their strain/sprain injury reports to our ergonomists for review, investigation, or other support.  I have to say, every time I see the corrective action listed as “Reinstruct the worker,” I wince quietly. I imagine the supervisor sitting with the worker, who is in pain, and saying, “Next time, make sure […]
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ergonomics under the safety or engineering umbrella
25 Sep, 23

Where does ergonomics belong – Safety or Engineering?

Most of our clients hire us because they need help to reduce sprain/strain injuries. We are typically contacted by the Human Resources department or, more specifically, Health and Safety. This is a natural consequence of the way most organizations see ergonomics: fitting work to people so strain/sprain injuries can be avoided. As we’ve pointed out […]
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18 Sep, 23

What is the maximum weight a worker can lift? (Nationally, Provincially, and Practically)

This is a question that is often asked of ergonomists. Many people believe that the maximum is 23 kg, or 50 lbs. Here are the facts: Nationally (Canada) Nationally, certain regulations apply to federally regulated organizations, such as airlines and banks, as defined by the Canada Occupational Health and Safety Regulations (SOR/86-304), specifically Division III, […]
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17 Apr, 23

The wheel on the bus

We have worked with bus drivers extensively over the years, and it is surprising how a small adjustment can significantly improve their driving comfort. Bus seats typically offer more adjustability than a typical office chair, which means that if the driver takes the time to adjust it, the “ergonomics” of the workstation can be quite […]
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cost-justifying physical and cognitive demands analyses
03 Apr, 23

How can PCDAs save you money?

(Would you rather watch than read? Video version here: https://youtu.be/1euljH9RrRw ) Physical and cognitive demands analyses (PCDAs), in contrast to ergo assessments, provide only a summary of job requirements. They don’t include an analysis of injury risk or recommendations to reduce those risks. So technically, they don’t directly result in improvements to a job. How could […]
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