Ergonomics Today™

Nortek to Acquire Ergotron

December 7, 2010
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.

Prevention through Design; Ethical Violations; the BendDesk; Ergotron Acquisition

December 7, 2010
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.

Today is World Usability Day

November 11, 2010
Today, 11 November 2010, is World Usability Day. "It's all about making the world work better." Each year, on the second Thursday of November, events are organized in more than 44 countries around the world to raise the public’s awareness, and to train professionals in the tools and issues central to good usability research, development and practice.

Tea Party Ergonomics; the Meaning of Ergonomic Design

October 21, 2010
A roundup of recent news including John Dennis, a Republican candidate and Tea Party favorite -- who also has close ties to ergonomics -- and who is running against powerful Democratic incumbent Nancy Pelosi; and a fight over the internet domain address ErgonomicDesigns.com that included debate over the meaning of "ergonomic designs".

Office Ergonomics: Web-based Training Improves Outcomes

October 14, 2010
If you’ve ever been asked to provide ergonomics training and workstation evaluations for hundreds (or thousands) of employees in a call center, you know that one-on-one delivery of ergonomics services has some serious limitations. Guest contributor Gene Kay shares his approach, including the use of online systems.

Balls as Chairs; Ergonomic Checkpoints; 18th World Congress on Ergonomics

October 6, 2010
A roundup of ergonomics topics, including the New York Times on using exercise balls as chairs, the release of the 2nd edition of Ergonomic Checkpoints, an excellent resource for participatory ergonomics, and the 18th World Congress on Ergonomics, to be held in 2012 in Brazil (the week before Carnival!); Global Ergonomics Month; and the 1st FEES Conference.

Student Wins Ergonomics Award for Public Urinal Concept

September 29, 2010
Ergonomics graduate student Augusto Espinosa accepts award: "This design proposes a more efficient urinal for fast paced locales such as bars, clubs, and busy restaurants. The new model combines the sink area with the urinal. This better utilizes space and improves hygiene since the person is more likely to wash his hands if the sink is already in front of him."

Where's Ergonomics Going? Nowhere if Things Don't Change!

September 21, 2010
Guest contributor Ian Chong makes a case -- and issues a call to action -- that ergonomists and stakeholders in the field of ergonomics need to cooperate and form an association as a way to better define and present the value of ergonomics to the public, and to protect and advance the meaning and application of ergonomics, particularly in product design.

Obituary: Dennis (Denny) Ankrum, Strong Contributor to Office Ergonomics Knowledge Base

September 14, 2010
Dennis ("Denny") Ankrum, a strong contributor to the Ergoweb Community and the topic of office ergonomics in general, has passed on after a valiant battle with cancer.

Ergonomics Turf War; OSHA Gets Aggressive

September 9, 2010
A roundup of ergonomics topics: Is there a turf battle brewing in the field of ergonomics? Which side are you on? Plus, OSHA is taking a stand on long working hours for medical residents, and has levied a $50.6 million fine against BP -- and that's for past sins -- they haven't yet hit them for the Gulf oil spill.

Sit-to-Stand Workstations

August 31, 2010
Sit-to-Stand workstations for computer work are growing in popularity for many reasons, driving down cost and stimulating innovation. This article reviews key features to consider for sit-to-stand workstation design and provides examples of the current state-of-the-art options in the marketplace.

Man Falls Off Surgical Table: A Safe Patient Handling Lesson to be Learned

August 4, 2010
Guest contributor Jill Kelby reviews a tragic patient handling accident, using it as a compelling vehicle to understand obesity and other challenges that care facilities face when handling and caring for patients: "...we can’t engineer out the humans in SPH. There will always be some amount of error. The goal in SPH needs to become how to get that error rate as close to zero as possible."

Equipois Named

July 31, 2010
Equipois, designer and manufacturer of ergonomic “zero gravity” workplace technology, has been selected as the recipient of the International Stevie Award for Most Innovative Company of the Year, North America. Equipois was recognized for its patented zeroG technology, which allows tools and other objects to float as if weightless, boosting productivity and eliminating injuries.

New Study: Time Spent Sitting Linked to Higher Risk of Death

July 23, 2010
A new study from American Cancer Society researchers finds it's not just how much physical activity you get, but how much time you spend sitting that can affect your risk of death. Researchers say time spent sitting was independently associated with total mortality, regardless of physical activity level.

Emerging Ergonomic Technologies: Laptops and Hand Stabilizing Support Device

July 21, 2010
A focuses on innovation through ergonomics. Will laptop (notebook) computers ever be ergonomically designed? So far, no, but here are some prototypes aiming to change that, including adjustable screens and keyboards, curved displays and split keyboards, and more. In another example, researchers are developing a device that steadies the hand for precision tasks and disability accommodation.

Design from an Ergonomist’s Perspective; Ergonomics from a Designer’s Perspective - Perhaps It Should be Both

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’ve seen a product labeled 'ergonomically designed' when it clearly isn’t -- nor has it ever been -- nor should it ever be."

Usability, eBook Reading Speeds, and the Importance of Science

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.

Is Your Safe Patient Handling System Working?

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.

Problems with 12 Hr Nursing Shifts; Pharmacy Ergonomics; Older Workers; Multi-Touch Interfaces

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.

Lessons from the BP Oil Spill

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.