28
Nov, 22
Posture Perfect – Why working position matters
why body position matters when assessing force
21
Nov, 22
Directionally challenged: When assessing effort, direction matters
When you see a worker pushing, pulling, or lifting a load, you might wonder how much effort they are using. As an ergonomist in a workplace, we are usually compelled to measure that force. We can use a force gauge to measure the weights and push/pull forces required on the job. You might also think […]
27
Jun, 22
How to make your “how to” poster pop
Let’s face it: people don’t read the manual. Most of us will tinker with a new gadget until we figure it out. When it comes to adjustability features in the workplace, ergonomists push to make them available, but they are woefully underutilized. Adjustable chairs, hydraulic lift tables, sit-stand desks, tool balancers…. the list of poorly […]
04
Apr, 22
What the heck is text neck?
This blog was written at the request of a family member who shall remain nameless, although you’ll know her if you see her, phone in hand. What is “text neck”? What causes it? How can you avoid it? If you google “text neck”, you’ll learn that it refers to the posture formed by leaning forward […]
07
Mar, 22
Daylight savings, sleep loss, and Monday mornings
Daylight savings (DST), the annual practice of advancing clocks one hour ahead of standard time, starts in the spring. Clocks will be set one hour forward at 2:00 am on the second Sunday in March, which is next weekend! If you get up at the usual time on Sunday, you’ll end up with one less […]
Our stories: Keeping municipal workers safe from musculoskeletal injuries
Municipal workers are one of the most important worker groups in our society. Without them, we wouldn’t have clean water, waste disposal, roads, or recreational spaces such as parks and arenas. Without these workers, towns and cities would be chaos. Naturally, everyone can imagine the importance of keeping these workers safe and healthy. One of […]
Answering tough questions: How Applied Ergonomics Research can Benefit your Company
Does your company see itself as “leading edge”? Is “R&D” built into your process? If so, are you applying this approach to ergonomics and strain/sprain injury prevention? Applied research allows you to examine information about specific problems within your company. Research can lead to better work processes, ergonomics awareness and skills, and innovation. As practitioners, […]
Tree cutting, ergonomically
This month, many of us are embarking on a physical activity for which we have little or no training; we’ll be heading into the woods to cut down a tree. We thought we’d share some “ergonomics” insights with you. (Perhaps you use an artificial tree, or you buy from a tree lot, or you don’t […]