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Open Access Articles

February 2, 2022

Fatigue Failure Ergonomics Assessment Tools Advance MSD Prevention Strategies

Article Highlights: Fatigue Failure theory is a new ergonomics theory about how workers develop MSDs Three recently developed ergonomics assessment tools — LiFFT, DUET and The […]
July 16, 2021

New Liberty Mutual MMH Equations (2021) Added to Ergoweb Enterprise

Liberty Mutual Insurance Company has conducted numerous studies over several decades that help identify and reduce risk of injury related to manual material tasks like lifting, […]
May 13, 2020

Preparing Employees for a Return-to-Work

The COVID-19 pandemic has forced many employees to stay home, and others to work reduced schedules. This extended time away from work may result in some […]
May 12, 2020

How to Set-Up and Launch an Ergonomics Process at Your Site

A step-by-step guide to planning an effective ergonomics process at a company site or facility. This is a brief summary article — for more detail and […]
February 6, 2020

How to Design Ergonomics into the Workplace

“Designing in” workplace ergonomics is viewed as an integral part of an effective ergonomics process.  Non-office workplace environments are constantly changing – and new ergonomics challenges […]
January 28, 2020

Exoskeletons and Ergonomics — What You Need to Know

Wearable exoskeletons and ergonomics are getting a lot of attention lately. Exoskeletal devices have already shown great promise and success as rehabilitation and disability solutions, and […]
December 16, 2019

Ergonomics Standards and Guidelines

Here’s a list of ergonomics standards, guidelines, regulations and compliance resources. It was last updated on January 29, 2020. The list is comprehensive, but we’ve surely […]
November 18, 2019

Managing an Ergonomics Improvement Process

Managing ergonomics at a site requires a lot of planning, coordination, and communication.  An effective ergonomics improvement initiative relies on contributions of people throughout the organization […]
November 4, 2019

How to Develop a Site Ergonomics Plan

A well constructed site ergonomics plan is critical for ensuring that everyone involved in the ergonomics process understands what needs to occur, and who is responsible […]
June 30, 2010

Is Your Safe Patient Handling System Working?

If the CEO of your facility asks you how the safe patient handling (SPH) system is working will you be able to tell him/her? Do you know if it is effective and meeting its purpose and goals? One common weakness in safe patient handling systems is the lack of meaningful and accurate measurements that assess their effectiveness.
June 24, 2010

Problems with 12 Hr Nursing Shifts; Pharmacy Ergonomics; Older Workers; Multi-Touch Interfaces

A summary of ergonomics in the news, including the negative effects of 12 hour nursing shifts on nurses and patients, a pharmacist's perspective on ergonomics, or the lack thereof, in pharmacies, research on older workers, and the ergonomics of multi-touch interfaces like the iPad.
June 17, 2010

Participatory Ergonomics Increases Success of New Tools Introduced to Floor Layers

A Danish study used a participatory ergonomics process to introduce new floor laying tools that support standing postures (vs. traditional kneeling postures), resulting in increased acceptance and decreased musculoskeletal complaints.
June 15, 2010

Lessons from the BP Oil Spill

The Gulf of Mexico oil spill was a predictable and preventable accident. BP has a documented history of systematic breakdowns in corporate decision making, risk management, and corporate culture. Macroergonomics could have protected the company, and all those affected, from this disaster and its massive consequences.
June 9, 2010

OSHA, Unions and Ergonomics in the Hospitality Industry; Ergonomic Guitars

This week's Ergonomics Roundup, including an OSHA focus on the hospitality industry, and Hispanic housekeepers in particular, claims that OSHA is facilitating union organizing in that industry by using ergonomics enforcement tactics, and ergonomic guitars / guitar making.
June 7, 2010

Study Confirms the Value of a Walkaround Safety Survey

A Danish safety walkthrough survey predicted recent injury incidence and prevented future injury occurrence at construction worksites. The investigation also found that unsafe conditions that were considered to be a joint responsibility (e.g., scaffolding) were less likely to be corrected as opposed to conditions considered an individual responsibility (e.g., proper use of a ladder).
June 2, 2010

Where Is OSHA Headed With Ergonomics?

OSHA has a long history with ergonomics. This article revisits that history and reviews recent comments from OSHA officials that suggest where the agency is headed. Will there be a new attempt to promulgate an "ergonomics standard?" Where does OSHA's aggressive pursuit of the new Injury and Illness Prevention Program standard fit in?