People + Process = Performance

safety

“Safety is #1 at Our Company”: Why Employees Don’t Believe It

Why is it when management says “Safety is our number 1 priority” employees hear “Production is number 1 priority”?  The disconnect between management’s words that safety is the top prior in the company and the employees belief that productivity is the top priority is something that I hear and encounter as a consultant at the majority of organizations I’ve worked with.  A typical conversation with the plant manager, HR director and even the CEO/owner is that “we value our workers health and safety.  We want them to be safe and we’ve told them we value their safety over everything else in the

Sit-to-Stand: Effective Dynamic Workstations Or Expensive Static Desks? Part 2

Part 2:  The Challenges of Sit-to-Stand Workstations (SSW)

Simply changing a workstation from predominately sitting to the ability to alternate between sitting and standing may not eliminate the root cause of staying in a static position for extended periods of time.  This is especially true if workers shift from prolonged sitting to prolonged standing.  This raises the potential of shifting the same chronic, static experience from one posture (sitting) to another (standing).

 

Does Discomfort Really Decrease?

Digital Distraction (Part 2)

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?

 

Best Practice or Poor Practice: Stability (exercise/fitness) Balls As Chairs in the Office

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:

Can You Detect Fraud in Your Work Comp Cases?

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

Product Review: Lift'n Buddy

A couple weeks ago I attended as well as presented at ASSE’s Safety 20125 professional development conference.  I always enjoy spending time in the exhibit hall looking for new and innovative products.  There were two products that caught my attention this year.  The first I will highlight in this blog and the second in another blog. 

 

Lift’n Buddy

Trying to Influence Employee Behavior? Don’t Forget the Brain + Environment!

Do you struggle with employees behaving and performing the way you want them to?  If so, do know you are not alone.  I’ve had three conversations recently which all essentially centered on employees not doing/behaving the way they were supposed to.  Just the other day I was talking to the Director of employee training and Operations VP of a manufacturing company.  They were telling me about the issues they were having regarding employees not performing as they had been trained, i.e.

Where are you at? Take KED’s Organizational Self-Evaluation (“Quiz”)

 

KED’s Organizational Self-Evaluation (“Quiz”)

This quiz is designed to provide an overview of organizational competency in regards to continuous improvement, ergonomics, efficiency, quality, safety and oneness of company vision.  Each question is answered either with a "yes" or "no".  "No's" indicator areas to improve.