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Open Access Articles

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 […]
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 […]
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 […]
May 31, 2012

Functional Movement Screening (FMS) Not Predictive of MSDs in Military Study

Musculoskeletal Disorders (MSDs) are among the leading causes of morbidity among working aged adults and armed service members. The most common cause for medical evacuation in the Iraq war was an MSD, and MSDs are also quite common in basic training. Functional Movement Screening (FMS) is thought by many to offer a new paradigm for predicting MSDs. However, in this study, the first large scale to test the predictive validity of this hypothesis, the results indicate FMS is not a reliable predictor of future injury, or at least not in the military population studied. This article is republished from The Ergonomics Report.
May 29, 2012

Research: Prevalence of Low Back Pain in School Children

Peter Budnick reviews a 2010 study that investigates spinal pain among 11 to 14 year old school children in New Zealand. Even if you don't have children or work with them as part of your ergonomics work, the statistics in this research are revealing. Of course, children grow up and will soon be adults attending universities and assuming jobs, perhaps in your workplace. Are there trends that could lead to more back pain sufferers in the future?
May 16, 2012

Decreased Productivity Related to Psychosocial Risk Factors

Republished from The Ergonomics Report, this article reviews a study that identifies psychosocial risk factors that predict worker absenteeism and presenteeism. Psychosocial risk factors of work demands, social climate, and employee commitment to the organization were related to sickness absence in a prospective study of 2095 Swedish employees. The 3.5 year investigation found that when companies improved these risk factors, sickness absence was reduced.
May 15, 2012

Can You Tell When You’re Being Lied To?

Peter Budnick reviews recent research directed at helping security screeners recognize human verbal and non-verbal behavior that indicates deception. Specifically, the researchers conducted experiments in which participants were grouped into pairs of truth-tellers and liars. The interviewers were blinded from knowing which groups were telling a true story and which were being deceptive. Subsequent video analysis of behavioral metrics suggested behavioral cues that real-world security screeners might be able to recognize when interacting with two or more conspirators, including language/word use characteristics and visual cues like eye gaze patterns. The research demonstrates the breadth of ergonomics/human factors profession, as well as its diverse value to society.
May 10, 2012

Towards a 21st Century Approach to Government Regulation

Drawing on 40 years of his own experience -- and noting that last year was OSHA's 40th anniversary -- well-known ergonomist Dan MacLeod presents his vision for OSHA reform, particularly when it comes to ergonomics. "During this time, OSHA generated striking improvements in working conditions, but has to my mind been simultaneously plagued by its approach to enforcement ... My experience gives me a sense of optimism that there are better ways to regulate industry. The premise of ergonomics is that with good design we can simultaneously improve human well being and increase overall efficiency. I suspect this principle applies to Federal regulations and agencies as much as it does to powered hand tools and production lines."
May 9, 2012

Rehabilitation Ergonomics in Action

Don Bloswick, a professor in in the Mechanical Engineering Department at the University of Utah, shares a variety of creative rehabilitation ergonomics applications he and his students have developed, including a tricycle designed to provide leg exercises for children with Cerebral Palsy (CP); an off-road walker allowing children with CP greater outdoor mobility; a wheelchair track device that allows wheelchair users to navigate on sand, snow and other rough terrain; foot and arm-lever propelled wheelchairs; and a paragliding system for people with disabilities. If you think ergonomics is only about preventing musculoskeletal injuries, this will open your eyes to new horizons.
May 2, 2012

Profits, Not Compliance, Will Drive Ergonomics

This 10 year old article, republished with permission from ErgoWeb's subscription-based The Ergonomics Report, remains highly relavent today, and the title says it well: Profits, Not Compliance, Will Drive Ergonomics.
May 2, 2012

Deadline Nearing: Submissions for 2012 Dieter W. Jahns Student Practitioner Award

Pass the word -- submissions for the 2012 Dieter W. Jahns Student Practitioner Award are due by May 31, 2012. Submissions for this prestigious award can be made individually or as a group. The award is open, world wide, to students (M.S. or Ph.D.) in Ergonomics and Ergonomics-related programs. Students who have completed their graduate degrees in the past year are also eligible.