health and safety

Are you one of the millions of people worldwide who use iPads, tablets or reading devices such as the Kindle?  If so, you may be or soon will be suffering from a multitude of musculoskeletal pains and strains.  The use of these devices has exploded over the 12-18 months.  It’s commonplace for me to see them used whenever I’m in coffee shops as well as when I’m visiting business clients.  Initially they were used for personal entertainment and convenience compared to a laptop but now businesses large and small are adopting them.  They haven’t replaced the desktop or laptop computer but they

It is becoming more and more apparent that shift work has a negative effect on workers’ performance, injury level, sleep quality and quantity and overall health.  In recent blogs I’ve shared studies and articles that showed the increased work-related injuries in shift work employees, and the negative effects caused by worker fatigue in general.  Another study, Job Stress and Work Schedules in Relation to Obesity was recently released in the Journal of Nursing Admi

Snow has been pretty scarce where I live in MN this winter so I haven’t had much opportunity to push and shovel snow.  We finally got some snow this morning—a little over an inch (I’m a snow lover so yes, I’m excited for even an inch or two of snow!).  I went out to clear the driveway with the shovel with my straight handled snow shovel.  One would think that as an ergonomist I must use the “ergonomic” handled ones, right?  Wrong.  I love my straight handled snow shovel.  [I put “ergonomic” in quotes because there are no standards for companies to use the term on their products.  I often fi

In my previous blog I discussed the indisputable fact that working extended hours causes worker fatigue and lowers performance.  This was regardless of the time of day that was worked.  Another aspect to consider is the effect of shift work on worker performance.  I will define shift work as either the night shift or rotation shifts working normal amount of work hours (8-10 hours/shift).  A recent study of Canadian workers shows some interesting results in regards to work injuries.  The study covered a 10 year period, 1996-2006, and examined the injury rates of workers differentiated by the

In an article I wrote last year, “To Stretch or Not To Stretch”, I concluded that stretching programs for the purpose of reducing injuries were not shown to be or not be effective.  As such, businesses should closely evaluate the costs of devoting time and resources to stretching programs compared to the supposed benefits.  I’d like to follow up that article with research done by Hess and Hecker on Workplace Stretching Programs:  The Rest of the Story.  In their research

How many people or friends do you know who work 12+ hour shifts or work long shifts several days in a row with little sleep?  How many professions do you whose work requires the same?  I can name at least 12 friends that I know who long hours.  I also know the toll those hours take on them professionally and personally.  As for professions, probably the first ones that come to mind are doctors, nurses, police, firefighters and military personnel.  There are other workers who have similar work demands, although they may occur when production demands (i.e.

It’s common for people to make New Year’s resolutions that address their fitness and health.  It’s also the time of year that companies develop goals and strategic initiatives for the year ahead as well.  One resolution that companies should consider pertains to Total Worker Health™.  It used to be that companies only had employee health and safety programs.

Are you aware of the National Prevention Council?  Its formation was part of the 2010 Affordable Care Act.  The council is chaired by the US Surgeon General and the other members are the leaders of 17 federal departments, agencies and offices.  The council’s purpose is to promote prevention and wellness.  The council released its National Prevention Strategy in June 2011.  According to Surgeon General Regina Benjamin, MD, the strategy will “move us from a system of sick care to one based on wellness and prevention”.  She goes on to say, “We also know that many of the strongest predictors of

Just because you’re stuck behind your computer all day long doesn’t mean you have to stay put and inactive.  In order to ward off the stress, muscles tightness and extra pounds that can come on with looking at your computer screen all day.  Too many hours spent sitting is not necessarily good for ones health.  Recent studies have shown that prolonged sitting can lead to increased risk for diabetes, obesity, cancer and cardiovascular disease.  There are simple ways to build in exercise and other healthy habits into your day.  Here are a few tips to stay active and healthy in the office:

If I had a penny for every time I’ve heard that ergonomics is “expensive” I wouldn’t be writing this blog but instead sitting on a beach somewhere.  The perception that ergonomics is expensive seems to be a widely held belief in many people I’ve talked to whether they are clients, potential clients or at people I’ve met at conferences, meetings or networking events.  I’ve seen this perception prevent the implementation of ergonomic programs at more companies that I’d care to admit.  The question that must be asked is, “Is the perception true or false?”  The answer is both, true and false, d