Welcome to the Ergoweb® Learning Center
Our passion is to help companies and individuals succeed by delivering sustainable ergonomics solutions that not only reduce employee risk, but also increase productivity and deliver a higher quality product. With that in mind, we created this learning center to offer our visitors solutions and resources that maximize their health and well being.
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March 26, 2013
Workplace problems must be addressed in context, and the key to understanding context is careful and respectful listening. In this reprint from The Ergonomics Report, renowned Ergonomist Andy Imada shares workplace experiences and solutions with journalist Jennifer Anderson. Imada's insights take us well beyond a typical ergonomics risk factor focus by considering psychosocial factors that often trump workstation-based improvement efforts. For example, according to Imada, "people will not remember you for what you did, or what you said or how many millions of dollars you saved. They will remember you for how you made them feel."
March 13, 2013
Common wisdom says we should lift with our legs, not our backs. Some companies mistakenly base much of their ergonomics strategy on training employees to "lift with your legs." This research study sheds light on why many people typically don't lift with their knees, and instead use a back-lift strategy. In this article, reprinted from The Ergonomics Report, study reviewer Peter Budnick offers his thoughts on how companies can apply this new knowledge.
January 10, 2013
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
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.
December 31, 2012
Twenty years ago on 1 January 1993, the UK implemented six wide ranging health & safety regulations that included provisions for ergonomics. Dubbed the ‘Six Pack', the 1993 regulations made clearer duties in relation to some activities (e.g. computer work, manual handling) and gave more detail and guidance to help employers protect the health & safety of their staff. "As a result, both employers and employees know much more about safer working practices and what has to be done in the workplace by both parties to achieve this. More could still be done to combat stress and improve overall employee wellbeing. And there will always be some difficult situations which will require compromise solutions," says Dave O'Neill, Chief Executive of the IEHF.
December 20, 2012
In this reprint from The Ergonomics Report, the late Hal Hendrick is interviewed by journalist Jennifer Anderson regarding a forthcoming book he had co-authored, "Human Factors Issues in Handgun Safety and Forensics." As the gun violence debate erupts in the USA following the senseless and tragic deaths of 20 innocent children and 6 adults at the Sandy Hook Elementary school, we reflect on the role that Ergonomics and Human Factors can -- and should -- play in the prevention of unnecessary gun related deaths, injuries, as well as any regulations that may follow.
September 8, 2008
Opponents are girding to do battle against Michigan's new proposed ergonomics standard. The see it as a drain on the state's bottom line.
March 18, 2008
OSHA announces the release of Ergonomics for the Prevention of Musculoskeletal Disorders: Guidelines for Shipyards, an new industry-specific guidance document.
December 31, 2007
The California Division of Occupational Safety has issued a citation to the Los Angeles Airport Hilton Hotel, the opening salvo in a battle of a kind that could become more common.
December 10, 2007
A new voluntary standard to help protect construction workers from musculoskeletal disorders is causing consternation in the building industry. The nearing United States election helps explain why, according to one report.
September 24, 2007
A poll of Democratic presidential contenders points to a possible win in 2008 for ergonomics regulation
May 4, 2007
The California OSHA outlines ways to cut the grim annual figures for MSDs related to manual materials handling.