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July 19, 2010
Ergonomics practitioners should understand the Amendments to the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) of 1990, known as Americans with Disabilities Amendments Act (ADAAA), which where enacted by the US congress in 2009. The ADAAA clarifies key definitions and is intended to more accurately reflect the intent of the original law, and may provide legal authority for certain ergonomic interventions.
July 14, 2010
Guest contributor Ian Chong writes: "'Ergonomically Designed' is something of a misnomer these days. No, let me rephrase that, it is an oxymoron. It has now become solely a marketing term, brainwashing both public and professionals as end users. Too many times I
July 14, 2010
Researchers in the Netherlands reviewed the ergonomics scientific base (1988 through 2008) looking for studies investigating the effectiveness of physical and organizational interventions. They identified only 10 studies that met their stringent criteria, and those studies did not offer strong support for the effectiveness of interventions. This article reviews the review and the ensuing debate.
July 7, 2010
Usability is ergonomics. Ergonomics is usability. Science, and navigating the politics of science and evidence based design, is critical to ergonomists and the field of ergonomics. Peter Budnick reviews a challenge to be prepared for usability politics, and questions recent research by usability guru Jacob Nielson as an example.
July 1, 2010
June 30, 2010
If the CEO of your facility asks you how the safe patient handling (SPH) system is working will you be able to tell him/her? Do you know if it is effective and meeting its purpose and goals? One common weakness in safe patient handling systems is the lack of meaningful and accurate measurements that assess their effectiveness.
June 24, 2010
A summary of ergonomics in the news, including the negative effects of 12 hour nursing shifts on nurses and patients, a pharmacist's perspective on ergonomics, or the lack thereof, in pharmacies, research on older workers, and the ergonomics of multi-touch interfaces like the iPad.
June 17, 2010
A Danish study used a participatory ergonomics process to introduce new floor laying tools that support standing postures (vs. traditional kneeling postures), resulting in increased acceptance and decreased musculoskeletal complaints.
June 15, 2010
The Gulf of Mexico oil spill was a predictable and preventable accident. BP has a documented history of systematic breakdowns in corporate decision making, risk management, and corporate culture. Macroergonomics could have protected the company, and all those affected, from this disaster and its massive consequences.