Guest contributor Eric Durak throws his hat into the debate over the use of balls as chairs by sharing an internal survey study he and colleagues conducted at the University of Santa Barbara. Their focus was not ergonomics per se; their objective was to conduct a survey of staff that had used the ball over longer time frames in order to see if the ball had any impact on work status and any postural changes. They report positive results.

The market for ergonomically designed technology is heating up. In this example, a safe patient handling equipment startup company, Technimotion

It's always interesting to learn what news and discussion content becomes the most popular, or at least the most read. After all was said and done in 2010, here are the top five results for Ergonomics Today

Guest contributor Ian Chong wants to get to the bottom of the 'is a ball an ergonomic chair' question, and he wants your help: "Have the physiologists and exercise gurus really uncovered something applicable that has been staring us in the face ...? ...we put together a small task force made up of users, Certified and Associate Ergonomists, physical [and occupational] therapists, engineers ...

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.

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.