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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 […]
September 26, 2012

CPH-NEW Responds to: Wellness — Why Ergonomists Need to Get Involved

A previous article, "Wellness: Why Ergonomists Need to Get Involved (Reprint)," by Jill Kelby, has drawn a spirited response from Laura Punnett, Robert Henning and Nicholas Warren, ergonomists from The Center for the Promotion of Health in the New England Workforce (CPH-NEW). They argue, contrary to Kelby's assertion that ergonomics is being "co-opted" by "others", that they have been involved in the NIOSH Total Worker Health (TWH) program, and that they have "made it our responsibility to educate others within TWH about the field of ergonomics," and encourage others to join them.
September 19, 2012

A Strategy for Human Factors/Ergonomics as a Discipline and Profession (Reprint)

Ergoweb's Peter Budnick reviews and offers his opinions on a recent report by The Future of Ergonomics Committee, under the direction of the International Ergonomics Association (IEA). The report summarizes a strategic initiative for the world-wide promotion of the ergonomics discipline and profession in order to reach global excellence in HFE (human factors and ergonomics). The report does a nice job of summarizing the field of ergonomics, and specifies numerous specific values we can and should produce.
September 18, 2012

Effect of Chair Designs on Sitting Tissue Pressure and Perfusion

Ergoweb's Peter Budnick reviews a recently published study comparing 5 office chair designs. As he explains, "I found it challenging to sift through the results section and piece together a coherent description of their findings ... this article kept making me ask more questions than it was answering." He also uncovers a connection to same or similar research referenced as a 2008 study, describing benefits of a specific chair by a specific manufacturer, leaving him with additional questions and prompting him to reach out to the researchers and the manufacturer for additional background and interpretation. This article will be continued ...
September 13, 2012

All About Keyboard Trays (Reprint)

In this article, reprinted from The Ergonomics Report, guest contributor Janet Peterson provides a concise, useful guide to keyboard trays as a means to add adjustability to a fixed height desk or work surface. She provides actionable advice on when a keyboard tray may be the right solution, what "must-have" features to look for, and which optional features will improve workstation ergonomics. She also offers considerations for corner and "U" shaped work stations, and provides wise words of caution regarding keyboard trays advertised as "sit/stand" or "sit-to-stand".
September 6, 2012

Improving the Occupant Experience in LEED Buildings: It’s Time for Ergonomics (Reprint)

In this article, reprinted from The Ergonomics Report, guest contributors Linda Miller and Lucy Hart provide an update on the emergence of ergonomics as a points category in the Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) building rating system. Over a decade ago, a coalition of building industry leaders in the U.S. created building design and construction guidelines for the environmental assessment of buildings. The LEED Building Rating System is a voluntary, consensus-based standard that evaluates the environmental performance of a building over its entire life cycle. The primary goal of LEED is to promote building practices that are environmentally responsible, profitable, and healthy for its building occupants, and Miller and Hart explain how ergonomics is gaining a solid footing in the LEED rating system.