Ergonomics can boost safety while delivering maximum ROI Jun 11, 2007
For smaller businesses that never gave much detailed thought to ergonomics, now might be a good time a start. Loosely defined, ergonomics means designing a work area for optimal performance, efficiency and safety. (Nashville Business Journal, TN)
Much Ado About Microsofts Surface Computer Jun 1, 2007
If Microsoft can popularize it, be it through design, ergonomics, or sheer bombardment of the airwaves with incessant advertising (I m thinking of a certain ad with certain silhouette people dancing), then the credit belongs to Microsoft ... I d love to hear from furniture deisgners and ergonomics engineers on how to make the mundane tasks we sit down at the computer to do now fit better into our real-world lives learning about our own interests and the world around us, communicating with... (New York Times)
Artists in residence May 31, 2007
"They come to an idea, and they really stay in a concept. Furniture makers start conceptually, but they pay a lot of attention to the ergonomics, and corners, edges, and tactile surfaces. They take it to a lot of levels that the architects didn't take it to.". Denenberg says he hopes the show reveals Maine's affinity for architecture and design. (Boston Globe)
Good showing at science fair May 27, 2007
Mihail Buse and Peter Wawzonek won a bronze medal and $300 in senior automotive, $300 and a bronze medal in senior engineering and the $1,000 Actuarial Foundation of Canada Award in the senior category for their entry Ergonomics Within the Workplace. The students all previously competed at the Waterloo Wellington Science and Engineering Fair before moving on to compete in the national fair. (Guelph Tribune)
WEX Reconstitutes Scientific Advisory Board May 25, 2007
Dr. Cohen is an associate of PRIDE (Productive Rehabilitation Institute of Dallas for Ergonomics), the pain research and rehabilitation institute that first developed the concept of functional restoration, now a worldwide standard of care. He is certified by the American Board of Psychiatry and Neurology in Pain Medicine, Psychosomatic Medicine, Psychiatry, Geriatric Psychiatry, and Addiction Psychiatry. (CCNMatthews Press Releases)
Commander shows Jeep's authority May 25, 2007
Ergonomics are splendidly intuitive, with audio controls mounted on the steering hub. Jeep's Chrysler parent has also found the best solution to tuning satellite radio's hundred-plus stations, with the traditional knob mounted in the traditional position. (Scripps Howard News Wire)
PENTAX Medical Introduces EPK-i and i-FLEX Scopes, First High Definition Programmable Video Endoscopic System May 21, 2007
PENTAX engineers took this, and other factors such as illumination capabilities, air/water channel and nozzle design, on-demand air pump, graduated insertion tube stiffness and control body ergonomics, into account when designing the high-definition PENTAX i-Flex scopes. These scopes are tested to accelerate physician time to the cecum, while achieving a more thorough exam. (PR Newswire)
Gas prices hit record territory May 16, 2007
Reality wrote on May 16, 2007 6:31 AM:" Seriously, we live in the richest country on the PLANET! The price we pay for gas is nothing compared to most of the world. Perhaps if our citizens had gravitated towards cars like the Polo, Lupo, Golf, Astra, etc. instead of the land yachts everyone seems to embrace that we call SUVs, then perhaps we wouldn't be complaining. Shoe-horning a giant engine into a throw-away chassis with jelly donut suspension and the ergonomics of a school desk combined with... (Rapid City Journal, SD)
THE EVOLUTION OF INPUT May 14, 2007
Overall, the field of ergonomics is becoming a vast and confusing space, dominated by the likes of Kensington, Microsoft and the Swiss company Logitech ... "Ergonomics is a huge market. We definitely see a higher demand for our products in the future. Even young people playing games in front of a computer need ergonomic tools," said Tom Pscheidt, global product manager at Kensington ... Laptops are another growing source of business for the ergonomics industry. (San Francisco Chronicle -- Business)
Fast cat on the prowl May 14, 2007
And it is comfortable to drive, thanks to good ergonomics, luxurious leather seating and what Jaguar calls Computer Active Technology Suspension. The touch-screen control panel is intuitive and easy to use. (Atlanta Journal-Constitution)
Fastest Industrial Robot On The Market May 9, 2007
Innovative by the general shape of the robot: it has four robotic arms with different ergonomics to those of a conventional single robotic arm and more similar to a human arm. The researchers particularly focused on design calculations to optimize the dimensions of each component in order to obtain maximum acceleration. (Science Daily)
Dont let workplace stress wreck your life May 8, 2007
That's because, "companies don't look at the long-term result," says Sue Peterson, business manager of the publishing companies Healthy Learning and Coaches Choice, and an expert on workplace ergonomics. "If they spent a little in the long run, they'll save money and have more productive employees, happier employees. It's a good investment.". (MSNBC -- Health)
Mobile made secure May 8, 2007
Policies covering occupational health and safety, ergonomics, security and encryption are in place and many of them apply globally and are "well informed and underpinned by regulatory constructs", Mr Thatcher says. "We don't deploy USB assets to staff. We have limited proprietary information on the laptops anyway, it's always returned to the internal network drive and customer data is encrypted in any case. "Any information transmitted over the network which is considered company proprietary is... (Sydney Morning Herald -- Technology)
Junk to desks: Old bleachers, chalkboards recycled into new library furniture May 5, 2007
ou know, the issue of ergonomics is huge in lots of places. I've talked to several librarians who've had trouble with that. (Missoulian, MT)
Book Review: The Iron Whim May 5, 2007
In factories and prisons, the "technologies" of discipline (now known as time-and-motion studies, ergonomics and so on) broke all human tasks down into the smallest divisions of time and movement; once internalized by workers and prisoners, such discipline supposedly made them more manipulable. Thanks to these technologies, Foucault lamented, the Enlightenment dream of an administered utopia had come to pass. (International Herald Tribune -- Arts)
OSHA Leaves Worker Safety in Hands of Industry Apr 26, 2007
In one of his first acts in office, President Bush signed legislation repealing one of OSHA;s most-debated accomplishments during the Clinton administration, an ergonomics standard intended to reduce injuries to factory, construction and office workers from repetitive motions and lifting ... He also opposed the ergonomics standards. (Foster's Daily Democrat)
GE Web tutorial is a winner Apr 25, 2007
OK, that might not sound all that exciting to most people, but in the world of ergonomics, it's pretty big stuff ... The Ergo Cup was awarded last month at the Applied Ergonomics Conference in Dallas, which is organized by the Institute of Industrial Engineers, an Atlanta-based trade group with 15,000 members worldwide ... The formerly three-day, instructor-led course, "Principles of Ergonomics," now is offered online; managers in charge of ergonomics at GE sites must complete it, but it can be... (Albany Times Union)
Adjustable chairs reduce shoulder and neck pain in garment workers Apr 24, 2007
The study was led by David Rempel, MD, MPH, director of the ergonomics program at San Francisco General Hospital and professor of medicine at the University of California, San Francisco; and Beate Ritz, MD, PhD, associate professor of epidemiology, at University of California, Los Angeles. According to the authors, garment workers typically work in a seated position for seven to 10 hours per day, using their hands to manipulate cloth or to complete fine-motor tasks while sewing. (EurekAlert!)
Don't Let Your Sitting Position Cause Stress on Neck, Back or Wrists Apr 23, 2007
That's not neutrality as in straddling the fence on office politics or discussions of "American Idol." We're talking about posture while seated at a desk, and a "body-neutral" position is crucial to avoiding discomfort or even injury, said Stephen Conway, an expert in workplace ergonomics, or human engineering ... Conway said companies have become more attentive to ergonomics as a way to prevent injuries that can drain productivity and drive up health-care costs. (The Ledger)
Companies discover being green can save money Apr 22, 2007
Many companies, which a decade ago were focusing on issues of ergonomics and safer workplaces, are now appointing vice presidents of corporate responsibility or corporate citizenship. He said a new generation of CEOs concerned about the environment is part of the changing attitude. (Muscatine Journal, IO)
Samsung SGH-57 Apr 19, 2007
There is no fancy keypad layout or senseless dcor save for a silver floral print on the back, it's got phone ergonomics right down to a T.. The volume is controlled by buttons on the left side while a press-and-hold action on the button on the right activates the camera. (The Star Online, Malaysia -- Technology)
Safety Class Open To Area Businesses Apr 5, 2007
It covers fire and emergency preparedness, machine safeguarding, personal protective equipment, lockout/tagout, electrical safety, hazard communication, and ergonomics. Anyone interested in sending people to the session should contact Denise Wieker at 448-3307 or e-mail denise. (Marshall County Journal, SD)
Don's done it better before Apr 3, 2007
"Like a Harley, BDO Kendalls has attitude and spirit with all the power, strength, speed and capability of a solid, reputable worldwide icon, and the same quality, trusted reliability, access and tailored ergonomics of a local performer," its ad says. The thought of suburban accounts attaching themselves to a noisy machine that spends a lot of time between a Hells Angels legs smacks somewhat of mid-life crisis. (Sydney Morning Herald -- Business)
Beyond Virtual Reality Mar 29, 2007
Together they can test the ergonomics of a design for a car or a plane ... Manufacturing ergonomics expert Allison Stephens creates digital versions of Ford factories, then analyzes the reach and posture of people on the assembly lines to reduce risk of injury. (BusinessWeek)
We've gotten bigger, but airline seats haven't Mar 26, 2007
And as Americans get taller and fatter, they're bound to "spill into other people's spaces," says Peter Budnick, president and chief executive of Park City, Utah-based Ergoweb Inc., an ergonomics consulting and training company that has examined airline seating from the standpoint of both ergonomics and anthropometry -- the study of the human body in relation to things people use ... Virgin Atlantic Airways took ergonomics and anthropometry into account when it designed its Economy and Premium... (Chicago Tribune)
Minuscule computers present a big problem for interface designers Mar 26, 2007
Ergonomics experts point out that even a standard laptop is far from ideal ... "Right now, we fit the laptops," instead of laptops fitting us, said Waldemar Karwowski, director of the Center for Industrial Ergonomics at the University of Louisville. (Pittsburgh Post-Gazette, PA)
Teens: Hang up or pay up Mar 25, 2007
com, released study results showing that cell phone distraction caused 2,600 deaths and 330,000 injuries in the United States every year, according to the Human Factors and Ergonomics Society. The Web site also stated these accidents were caused because drivers talking on cell phones were 18 percent slower to react to brake lights, they kept a 12 percent greater following distance and they also took 17 percent longer to regain the speed they lost when they braked. (Suffolk News Herald, VA)
SUNY honors 5 area professors Mar 21, 2007
Colin Drury, a professor of industrial and systems engineering regarded as one of the foremost experts in the field of ergonomics, or the study and design of "systems of people and machines." His work has led to substantially reduced lower back injuries in the workplace and has reduced the chance for human error in aviation accidents and injuries. George Lee, a professor of engineering and considered a pioneer in earthquake engineering research and structural engineering. (Buffalo Business First, NY)
3 secrets to a good night's sleep Mar 20, 2007
According to chiropractor Scott Bautch, an ergonomics expert and past president of the American Chiropractic Association's Council on Occupational Health, "The goal is for your spine to be neutral. If your mattress allows your spine to curve up or down, that's not healthy for blood circulation or for resting your muscles.". Trouble for 7 in 10. (CNN)
Writer Whips Back Injury, Runs Marathon Mar 19, 2007
"It's sort of like taking a paper clip and bending it over and over," said Dr. William Marras, executive director of Ohio State University's Institute for Ergonomics. I stopped doing back exercises and my right leg started to hurt. (Carlisle Sentinel, PA)
Video game industry shows 53 percent growth Mar 18, 2007
As you never are forced to actually move that much, the Wiimote is almost as any other controller, but it lacks the ergonomics of the Gamecube controller. Anything requiring the use of the IR is very hard to control efficiently. (DailyTech)
Office Alert Mar 15, 2007
A case could be made for encouraging flexi-time and work-from-home options to reduce vulnerability to sick building syndrome and poor ergonomics. This would save commuting time, energy and improve family life while making life less rigid. (India Times, India)
LFD gets equipment grant Mar 15, 2007
This gear will be built to modern standards of ergonomics and safety. The weight will be reduced and movement much easier which will reduce stress, fatigue and injuries. (Lebanon Express, OR)
Making Gardening Good Again Mar 12, 2007
These aggravations have had ergonomics experts searching for solutions. The result: products that are designed to eliminate the hassle of watering, while making gardening what you want it to be - easier and enjoyable. (Sebastopol Sonoma West Publishing, CA)
Practice safety this spring break Mar 9, 2007
Cell phone distraction causes 2,600 deaths and 330,000 injuries in the United States every year, according to the Human Factors and Ergonomics Society. Cell phone-related traffic crashes increased from 716 to 1,032 from 2000 to 2001 - a 44 percent increase, according to Department of Public Safety records. (The Battalion, TX)
The myth of a neat newsroom -- exposed! Mar 9, 2007
-- A bunch of stuff the ergonomics consultant dropped off two years ago, in an unopened pile. -- Several posters of Giants and 49ers players who have long since been traded or released. (San Francisco Chronicle)
Practice makes perfect Mar 8, 2007
There's also the center's surgical ergonomics program, the only one in the country. The goal is to establish standardized movements for use in laparoscopic surgery -- operations performed using tiny incisions often no wider than a centimeter -- then compile them into a vast data base for training purposes. (Baltimore Business Journal, MD)
Innovation Case Study: GE Mar 7, 2007
But to compete today, GE needs to focus on the human side of the equation, from ergonomics to emotions. And it needs to do that for cultures all around the world. (BusinessWeek)
2007 Auto Show Visits Rochester Mar 1, 2007
"They can see the interior space and compare comfort ergonomics and reaching all the dials so they are beautiful this year more so than ever, said John Lyboldt, Rochester Auto Dealers Assoc. They have done some neat things on the interior so it is getting in the cars and trucks and getting a feel for what it's like and comparing them across the manufacturers.". The auto show runs through Sunday at the Rochester Riverside Convention Center. (R News)
Human factors/ergonomics research can help workers avoid carpal tunnel syndrome Feb 27, 2007
A group of human factors/ergonomics (HF/E) researchers from the University of California at San Francisco and McMaster University in Ontario, Canada, have conducted the first study that systematically identifies how one contributor to CTS carpal tunnel pressure can be examined in detail to establish limits on how much a wrist can be flexed before nerve damage sets in ... The findings from their study appear in a paper in the February issue of Human Factors: The Journal of the Human Factors... (EurekAlert!)
FLEXcon honored with safety award Feb 24, 2007
Other committees concentrated on ergonomics in the plant and the office; material handling issues, chemical spill clean-ups and more. All of the committees followed the OSHA program guidelines. (Columbus Telegram, NE)
In Ventilation and Emission-Control Systems 4 Factors to Lower Energy Costs Feb 21, 2007
"TP" stated in inches of water ("H2O) Density factor of the gas being collected "df" (dimensionless), Efficiency of the fan, "; " (dimensionless), These are combined into the Air Power Equation: Power (horsepower) = Small reductions in the numerator can have a significant cost impact. For example, a typical 20,000-CFM baghouse requires 60 or more horsepower to operate. A reduction of 1,000 CFM with improved hood design, or reduction of 1 inch static pressure with an improved duct or baghouse... (33Metalproducing)
Audi's First SUV, the Q7, Is Nimble and Stylish; Just Get Correct Tires Feb 13, 2007
The interior features well-thought-out ergonomics and intuitive electronic interfaces that, in my view, beat out both Mercedes and BMW. Over the 1,600 miles, we were never short of comfort. My favorite touch: The BlackBerry-style rolling buttons on the steering wheel for the satellite radio. (Bloomberg -- Germany)
Back Pain Causes And Solutions Feb 6, 2007
Ergonomics experts can teach you how to work in a way that does not strain your back. They can also give you equipment that lessens the strain on your body such as ergonomic mouse pads and keyboards. (NBC 11, CA)
Saitek X52 Pro Review Feb 3, 2007
Considering most aircraft have hundreds of different buttons, HOTAS makers need to be very clever about button use and ergonomics ... Unfortunately, lefties will struggle with the right-handed ergonomics of the stick, but that's their own fault for being abnormal. (IGN Gear)
Workplace Pressures, Hazards Raise Risk Of Job Injuries In Youths Jan 30, 2007
(September 29, 2005) -- A joint study published in the September edition of Applied Ergonomics by the University of Alberta and Napier University of Scotland, shows that servers, cooks and bartenders risk serious injuries. . (Science Daily)
Pontiac's Budget Porsche Jan 29, 2007
The Bad: Some lousy cabin ergonomics, no storage space ... There may be other models out there with more refined ergonomics or more ample storage, but none pair brawn and beauty and price as well as does the Solstice. (BusinessWeek)
Bless this mess? Heck, yes, some now say Jan 28, 2007
Messy-desk research borrows from cognitive ergonomics, a field of study dealing with how a work environment supports productivity. Consider that desks, our work landscapes, are stand-ins for our brains, and so the piles we array on them are "cognitive artifacts," or data cues, of our thoughts as we work. (Orlando Sentinel -- Entertainment)
Here are more ways to pamper your four-legged friends Jan 27, 2007
"I'm completing my Ph.D. in engineering psychology at Georgia Tech, and we focus on usability and ergonomics, so I wanted to make something that's functional and easy to use," Hickman said. At a nearby booth, Kathleen Ramsey of Williamsburg, Va. (Atlanta Journal-Constitution -- Living)
Take care of your back with these exercises Jan 25, 2007
Establish good ergonomics. Keep chair at correct height. (Atlanta Journal-Constitution)
Ergonomic evaluation goes right to the top Jan 20, 2007
Additionally, Woldow leads frequent one-hour classes on Ergonomics for Computer Users. The next is scheduled for Feb. 6. (US Santa Cruz Currents, CA)
World Premiere of the New Mercedes-Benz C-Class Jan 19, 2007
A new era in safety and ergonomics is ushered in by the C-Class's innovative instrumentation and control concept, which noticeably reduces the burden on the driver and prevents him or her from being distracted. As far as passive safety is concerned, the new C-Class meets significantly higher standards than are required around the world by the various statutory regulations. (PR Newswire)
SA Inc responds to winds of change Jan 18, 2007
The company, which manufactures a range of earth moving and mining equipment, has had to put ergonomics high on its production agenda, according to chief executive Gary Bell. Sanlam, a local life company, has set up a joint venture in south Asia and is considering more Asian investments. (Business Report, South Africa)
A man of his words Jan 12, 2007
"It's full of media people, advertising executives, lifestyle people. It's the place to be seen now, Beasley Street. Maybe it should be called Beasley Boulevard, a rebranding. I've had experts in ergonomics in to give it the OK.". Clarke is laughing so hard now he has to stop. (Sydney Morning Herald -- Entertainment)
Bill Aims To Make Drivers Use Hands Free Cell Phone Devices Jan 4, 2007
A 2005 study by the human factors and ergonomics society found 2600 people die every year in cell phone related crashes. More than 300,000 are hurt. (K-Eye News, TX)
