Blog

In part one I discussed the findings of a new study that looked at the effects on performance simply from notifications from your phone—be it a chime or vibrating buzz.  The results were similar to that seen in texting and driving—distraction.  Although the study participants didn’t physically engage with their phone when they received the notifications, their mind engaged enough to lower their performance.  With this in mind, do employers need to consider even greater prohibitions on cell phones at work, especially for positions that require a high level of concentration?

The office setting has seen gradual changes over the past 5-10 years as more focus has been given to comfort, productivity and wellness at work.  One of the trends has been the use of a stability ball, aka exercise/fitness ball, as a chair.  My recommendation has always been to avoid stability balls in the office—for three reasons:

It’s been proven repeatedly through research and is one of the guiding principles of human factors that we don’t multitask well.  We can’t do two things well at one time and when we switch from one task to another it costs us time as we refocus our efforts and attention.  This is why we sometimes will turn down the radio/TV or keep our phones in our pocket or maybe place them screen down when we want to concentrate on something.  However, a recent study has shown that unless your phone is fully off or silenced it is still distracting you.  The familiar chime or vibrating buzz of a new notif

Improving safety, reducing work comp costs and preventing fraud is one of our featured services.  I learned much about work comp from the very beginning of my career since the first job I ever had was as an industrial physical therapist working for an occupational health clinic.  I have extensive experience in work comp from many sides:  the medical provider side, the physical testing side (Functional Capacity Evaluations), the case management side, the return to work side and the risk management side of work comp.  Having been able to observe and experience all aspects of work gives me a u

The GaffGun is the second innovative product I came across at Safety 2015.  When you see all of the tape running across the exhibit and session floors covering cords and cables you’ll understand why this product caught my attention.  Normally, laying down and securing cords/cables with tape requires bending down/kneeling to get the cords in line and then applying the tape.  Not only is the person in a awkward position posture-wise, it also takes a long time to do.  The GaffGun solves both problems.