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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 […]
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, […]
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 […]
February 5, 2014

Review of Hand/Wrist/Arm Ergonomics Analysis Methods: Part 1

Peter Budnick reviews and summarizes a chapter from "Reviews of Human Factors and Ergonomics" in which researchers Arun Garg and Jay Kapellusch provide an overview of the scientific basis and application of "Job Analysis Techniques for Distal Upper Extremity Disorders". In Part 1 of this 2 part series, Budnick covers the scientific basis for various analysis tools (to be discussed in the forthcoming Part 2) and summarizes specific data that ergonomists can use in the analysis and prevention of hand/wrist/arm workplace musculoskeletal disorders (WMSDs).
December 11, 2013

Reliability of Postural Observations in Ergonomic Assessments

This is important research for anyone who performs observational postural assessments. Researchers Bao, Howard, Spielholz, Silverstein, and Polissar conducted a study designed to investigate interrater reliability -- the ability of different observers/assessors to reach the same conclusions when visually estimating posture. Their results indicate that the nature of the assessment tool, large angle categories vs. small angle categories in particular, and the experience and training of the assessor can have significant impacts on reliability.
September 12, 2013

Highly adjustable pedestal workstation

Video clip 1: Pedestal workstation Video clip 2: Pedestal workstation These video clips show the use of a highly adjustable pedestal workstation that replaced a traditional […]
September 7, 2013

How to design a workstation

Stationary work bench Flexible positions on moving line A workstation is a work area set up for an individual person. The focus here is the industrial […]
January 10, 2013

You Can’t Achieve Six Sigma Without Ergonomics (reprint)

Reprinted from a 2002 issue of The Ergonomics Report: Any team presented with a big project that seemingly becomes more and more complex might groan at the prospect of putting ergonomics into the mix. But with a Six Sigma project, ergonomics neither conflicts with nor takes resources from other management or process systems that may already be implemented within a company. Instead it adds to the proper execution of the Six Sigma process. Authors: Jeanie Croasmun, Rachel Michael. Contributors: Ben Zavitz, Mike Wynn.
January 9, 2013

Participatory Ergonomics: A Path to Sustainable Ergonomics

Following up on his popular Participatory Ergonomics webinar, Peter Budnick further discusses the importance of Respect for People in Continuous Improvement systems like Lean, arguing that it's impossible to achieve Operational Excellence without Ergonomics, and that Ergonomists can play a valuable leadership and participation role in such initiatives. He illustrates the importance of Respect for People with examples from his work with Ergonomists Without Borders, and also shares his slides and a recording of the webinar for interested readers.