A roundup of ergonomics related news, including NIOSH's new Prevention through Design (PtD) initiative, the BendDesk, a concept design that turns the entire desk and backdrop into a giant, curved touch screen; the resignation of an Ohio Workers Compensation Bureau director over ethics related to an ergonomics service company he owned; thoughts on Nortek's purchase of Ergotron.

Nortek, Inc., a diversified global manufacturer of branded residential and commercial ventilation, HVAC and home technology convenience and security products, announced it has signed a definitive agreement to acquire Ergotron, Inc., a privately held leader in the design, manufacture and marketing of ergonomic mounting and mobility products for computer monitors, notebooks and flat panel displays.

Today, 11 November 2010, is World Usability Day. "It's all about making the world work better." Each year, on the second Thursday of November, events are organized in more than 44 countries around the world to raise the public's awareness, and to train professionals in the tools and issues central to good usability research, development and practice.

A roundup of recent news including John Dennis, a Republican candidate and Tea Party favorite -- who also has close ties to ergonomics -- and who is running against powerful Democratic incumbent Nancy Pelosi; and a fight over the internet domain address ErgonomicDesigns.com that included debate over the meaning of "ergonomic designs".

If you've ever been asked to provide ergonomics training and workstation evaluations for hundreds (or thousands) of employees in a call center, you know that one-on-one delivery of ergonomics services has some serious limitations. Guest contributor Gene Kay shares his approach, including the use of online systems.

A roundup of ergonomics topics, including the New York Times on using exercise balls as chairs, the release of the 2nd edition of Ergonomic Checkpoints, an excellent resource for participatory ergonomics, and the 18th World Congress on Ergonomics, to be held in 2012 in Brazil (the week before Carnival!); Global Ergonomics Month; and the 1st FEES Conference.