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We’ve published and shared thousands of ergonomics articles and resources since 1993. Search by keyword or browse for topics of interest.
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February 2, 2022
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
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
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
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
“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
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
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 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
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 […]
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February 2, 2022
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 […]
December 11, 2013
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.
November 19, 2013
As winter descends upon the northern hemisphere, it reminds us of the effects of temperature on human performance. We all know temperature can impair human abilities, […]
November 5, 2013
A team of researchers studied various center-to-center key spacing on computer keyboards to investigate whether current keyboard design standards are conducive to typing performance (speed, error rates), usability, and forearm biomechanics. Current keyboard design standards, oddly, are not based on human performance data, and this study is one of the few that takes a human-centered ergonomics approach to the ubiquitous computer keyboard. Their findings will impact future keyboard design standards, and bring credibility to the phrase "I fat-fingered it," a common explanation for keyboard related errors. Could this study also begin to lay a foundation for different sized keyboards for different sized people?
June 18, 2013
Canadian researchers Berolo, Wells and Amick performed an epidemiological study to investigate the prevalence of upper body musculoskeletal pain in mobile device users. According to the researchers, "this is the first study to provide empirical evidence of relationships between mobile device use and musculoskeletal symptoms of the upper extremity and neck." Further, "our results show a consistent relationship between mobile device use and pain in the ..."
June 5, 2013
In this reprint from The Ergonomics Report, journalist Jennifer Anderson interviews experts who make a case for error making as a strategy for learning, innovation and progress. Few people are willing to risk a trial-and-error approach to problem solving and decision making, yet some experts insist it is the soundest strategy.
May 16, 2013
In this reprint from The Ergonomics Report Archives, Peter Budnick reviews a study that investigated workstation settings, including display distance, height, tilt and keyboard height for larger displays (up to 27 in.) and dual display setups. This is an important contribution to our understanding of these increasingly common display sizes and arrangements.
May 2, 2013
In this reprint from The Ergonomics Report Archives, Jeanie Croasmun suggests improved productivity, better moods and reduced error rates are just a few of the benefits of adding more ergonomic lighting to the workplace. Experts discuss how and why lighting can affect almost every aspect of the workplace, and especially the bottom line.
April 9, 2013
This reprint from The Ergonomics Report reviews studies investigating multi-tasking that found that people are generally limited to performing two mental tasks at any given time; that most people exhibit performance decrements under multi-task conditions; a small percentage of people, labeled "supertaskers," are able to perform two tasks at a time without any performance degradation (sorry, but chances are, you're not one of them).