This article explores the challenging question of "what makes something ergonomic," using exercise balls, which are often labeled 'ergonomic' by their promoters, as an example. This series of examples demonstrate that the context of use for an exercise ball, or any other product in question, is critical to the credibility of an ergonomic label.

Contrary to popular opinion, an award winning Finnish investigation challenges the concept that increased compressive force due to higher body weight predisposes an individual to lumbar degenerative disc disease. In a study of monozygotic twins, the twin with a higher body weight and Body Mass Index (BMI) was statically more likely to have healthier lumbar discs.

Research into hand power grip strength and endurance has led to the creation of a new graphic method which illustrates fatigue and produces a strength-endurance numeric value.

A study of asymptomatic office workers found that employees who subjectively react greater (physiologically, behaviorally, and cognitively) to normal work demands are exposed to, or experience more risk factors than the control group when performing high stress tasks. These workers also exhibited increased work performance.

A post-hoc analysis of the 5th Spanish National Survey highlights challenges researchers face when attempting to demonstrate cause-and-effect relationships between work-related risk factors, tasks and injuries. The study found statistically significant relationships between duration of exposure to certain tasks and MSDs, but did it further our understanding, and therefore our ability to intervene?

A 72% drop in neck/shoulder pain symptoms occurred over a four-week period following the application of ergonomic interventions among a group of 247 Los Angeles sewing machine operators according to a recent prospective University of California study.

A new law is taking effect in the Province of Ontario, Canada: The Accessibility for Ontarians with Disability Act (AODA). The Act is obviously important to public and private sectors in Ontario, but it also serves as a great reference for any business establishing or updating policies regarding disabilities, or any international business pursuing global compliance.

A six year review of state of Ohio workers' compensation data disclosed the actual average claims costs by body region, industry type, and diagnosis. Disc disorders and carpal tunnel syndrome, for example, had average total direct costs of $52,041 and $13,253, respectively.

A state of Washington investigation involving nearly 400,000 workers' compensation claims shows that temporary employees commonly take high risk jobs and are injured at a higher rate than regular workers in those jobs.