Ergonomics Today™

U.S. Department of Transportation Announces Federal Ban on Texting for Commercial Truck Drivers

January 27, 2010
U.S Transportation Secretary Ray LaHood today announced federal guidance to expressly prohibit texting by drivers of commercial vehicles such as large trucks and buses. The prohibition is effective immediately and is the latest in a series of actions taken by the Department to combat distracted driving since the Secretary convened a national summit on the issue last September.

Ergonomics Roundup: Sitting is Deadly? Is Ergonomics Ready for a Big Show? Human Modeling Systems; MSD Recordkeeping; Distracted Driving; Mind, Machine and Morality

January 26, 2010
A summary of ergonomics in the news, including: Sitting too much could be deadly; is the ergonomics industry ready for a dedicated exhibition and conference?; human modeling systems; OSHA MSD recordkeeping; distracted driving; and Mind, Machine and Morality.

Ergonomics Roundup: January 20, 2010

January 20, 2010
A summary of ergonomics in the news, including: sniffing out terrorists; inspection/screening errors; tracking flu; new FDA human factors medical device standard; heels and driving pedals; civil servant depression; design vs. behavioral approach to risk reduction; distracted driving; touch screen ergonomics; handguns; computing postures; ukulele design; Equipois funding; Kumar receives award.

Ergonomics Roundup: January 13, 2010

January 13, 2010
A summary of ergonomics topics from various recent media sources, including children and backpacks; texting and hand injuries; driver distraction; controlling the spread of hospital germs; ergonomics and manufacturing quality; truck driver screening; netbook positioning; office ergonomics.

US Chamber of Commerce To Hold Meeting in Anticipation of OSHA Ergonomics Activity

January 11, 2010
The US Chamber of Commerce has scheduled a meeting for January 25, 2010 to discuss OSHA activities that they believe pertain to ergonomics. The group considers OSHA's call for musculoskeletal disorder (MSD) recordkeeping changes as "... the first shot in the coming ergo conflict."

Hollywood, Auto Design Merge for New Generation Ford Autos

December 30, 2009
Technology at the heart of many a recent Hollywood blockbuster is aimed at making autos of the future more comfortable and drivable.

Study: Texting While Driving Much More Dangerous Than Talking While Driving

December 28, 2009
A timely study in the journal Human Factors suggests why texting while driving is riskier than talking on a cell phone or with another passenger.

Expert Recasts Texting and Tweeting As Teaching, Learning Aids

December 28, 2009
Use instant messaging as a teaching aid, expert advises, but consider the “cool” factor.

Researchers Advise Pedestrians to Cut the Cell Phone Chat While Crossing the Road

December 21, 2009
Studies suggests pedestrians who talk on a cell phone while crossing a street – particularly seniors – are living dangerously.

Equipois zeroG2 Arm Wins Two Product of the Year Honors

December 14, 2009
Equipois Inc., manufacturer of zeroG® technologies that allow tools, parts and other payloads to be maneuvered as if weightless but with complete freedom of motion, received two leading industry honors in November for its zeroG2 product line – Equipois’s second year in a row for both awards.

Study Reports No Link Between Cancer and Cell Phone Use, Yet Doesn’t Dismiss the Risk

December 14, 2009
The debate about whether emissions from cell phones cause brain cancer is as old as the technology, and another study fails to link the two. At the same time, the researchers are not dismissing the risk.

2010 Applied Ergonomics Conference Slated to be Largest Ergonomics Conference of the Year

December 7, 2009
The 2010 Applied Ergonomics Conference (AEC) is shaping up to be the largest and most impressive ergonomics conference in North America for the coming year, and as an Ergoweb client, subscriber or follower, you're eligible to receive a 50% discount if you register by December 18, 2009.

Study Details Impact of Workplace Musculoskeletal Disorders on European Union

December 7, 2009
Workplace musculoskeletal disorders are a painful issue for both the European economy and European workers, according to a new study, which details ways of easing the pain.

Survey: Majority of Adults Would Prefer Robotic Home Help to Care Facility

November 30, 2009
Research findings presented recently at an ergonomics conference suggest living with a robot is a more attractive option than a care facility for individuals disabled by age, illness or injury, particularly to older adults.

'Cellphone-Muzzling Technology' Offers Solution to Texting and Calling While Driving

November 23, 2009
Research shows that cellphone use behind the wheel is risky behavior, yet many states resist a ban. Proactive technology that "muzzles" phone calls and text messages are being employed by at least one insurance company to help help make roads safer -- by design, rather than relying on behavior alone.

ErgoExpo -- This Week in Las Vegas

November 18, 2009
The 15th Annual National Ergonomics Conference and Exposition (ErgoExpo) is underway at Caesars Palace, Las Vegas. The conference features over 75 unique educational opportunities to choose from, and a wide variety of products to evaluate.

Researcher: Youth Texting Could Lead To Overuse Injuries

November 16, 2009
A researcher at Temple University tells us to hold the applause for deft text-messaging young adults. She suggests their clever fingers could put them at risk of overuse injuries.

Humans: The Weakest Link in Computer Security?

November 9, 2009
A recent international study shows that humans and the way they interact with their computers and online accounts represent the weakest link in security systems.

World Usability Day-2009 Pairs Eco-friendliness with User-friendliness

November 2, 2009
World Usability Day-2009 couples usability and sustainability. It’s a timely combination – and all the more valuable when usability is not detached from ergonomics

Authorities Focus on Sleep Apnea after Pilots Overshoot Destination

October 26, 2009
Pilots overshot their destination airport, Minneapolis, on October 21, and aviation authorities sent out an alert about sleep apnea. But pilots can nod off for several common and often preventable reasons the authorities didn’t mention.