Ergonomics Today™

Free OSHA Training on Patient Handling and Better Human Factors in Drug Dispensing

August 2, 2002
In the news this week, OSHA announces a free training seminar on the ergonomics of patient handling, and the FDA wants to improve Human Factors and Ergonomics in drug dispensing by requiring barcodes.

Indirect Costs of Workplace Injuries

July 31, 2002
What are the direct and indirect costs of workplace injuries? Find out where your company may really be losing.

Senate Provides 2 Million for Ergonomics Rule

July 29, 2002
Senate wants two million for new ergonomics regulations.

More Ergonomics Success Stories

July 26, 2002
If you are having trouble convincing your company that good ergonomics is good economics, take a look at this compilation of ergonomics successes.

The NIOSH Lifting Equation: Q & A

July 23, 2002
Questions and Answers on the NIOSH Lifting Equation

Readers Respond To Stretching Exercise Commentary

July 22, 2002
When Ergoweb published a commentary concluding that stretching exercise programs were not ergonomics, several readers responded with opinions of their own. Here's a sampling:

Judge Upholds Washington State Ergonomics Rules

July 18, 2002
A judge upheld the Washington State's workplace ergonomics rules July 12. The ruling rejected a business coalition's challenge to the plan for reducing MSDs.

New Office Ergonomics Guidelines Available

July 17, 2002
Three agencies have recently made office ergonomics guidelines available. Read about BSR/HFES 100.

OSHA Continues Nursing Home Focus

July 15, 2002
OSHA announced a new National Emphasis Program (NEP) to focus outreach efforts and inspections on specific hazards in nursing and personal care facilities with high injury and illness rates.

Workplace Stress and MSDs: Current Thinking and Future Research

July 12, 2002
"This symposium was the most comprehensive effort to date to delineate biobehavioral models linking psychosocial factors to work-related upper extremity disorders." Topics included job stress models, biomechanical models and psychophysiology of work.

Website Readability -Is Your Audience Listening?

July 10, 2002
Evidence suggests that much of the information published on the Web may be too hard to read and understand for typical users. This means you may be losing customers because they cannot find or understand necessary information on your website.

Good Human Factors in Management Style Increases Profits and Productivity

July 8, 2002
The bottom line is that better understanding of the work environment can save your bottom line.

Letters to the Editor: 5 July 2002

July 5, 2002
Reader responses and letters to the Ergoweb Editor.

OSHA Seeks Comments on Delayed MSD Definition

July 3, 2002
OSHA will seek comments on a proposal involving the recording of MSDs on injury and illness logs.

OSHA Signs Alliance with Printing, Graphic Arts Industries to Foster Ergonomics

July 1, 2002
OSHA, and Printing and Graphic Arts associations International formally agreed to work together to share best practices and technical knowledge on ergonomics to foster prevention of workplace injuries and illnesses.

Ergonomics for Elementary School Students

July 1, 2002
While senators and labor officials argue over ergonomics definitions and injury rates some elementary schools are taking the opportunity to improve ergonomics for their students.

ErgoFlash: Super-Quick News Summaries (6/28/02)

June 28, 2002
Summary of short articles on ergonomics that appeared in the news.

First Annual EECE a Success

June 28, 2002
The inaugural annual Eastern Ergonomics Conference and Exhibition kicked off in Atlanta, GA, this week.

Commentary: Airline Seating -- One Size Does Not Fit All

June 24, 2002
One size does not fit all. But, when Southwest Airlines acknowledged this fact by announcing it would enforce a policy requiring some larger individuals to purchase an additional seat, they were widely criticized. Is the criticism fair?

Medical Students Hope to Find Less Fatigue in the Workplace

June 21, 2002
New rules would limit the total hours medical residents can be on duty. Studies on fatigue show that staying awake 24 hours straight can impair performance as much as a .10 percent blood-alcohol level.