08
May, 23
Engineering effective administrative controls: A guide for health and safety professionals
When an engineering control is not possible, how and why should we "engineer" the ergonomic admin controls that protect workers from injury?
02
Jan, 23
In-person vs. virtual training: What’s the trade-off?
Our Physical and Cognitive Demands Analysis workshop will be running next week. In today’s age of virtual and online training, why would anyone travel to Cambridge to participate in an in-person workshop? Don’t get me wrong…I believe there’s also a place for virtual and online training, and we offer both. We have an excellent online […]
12
Dec, 22
How to refresh your ergonomics training
This article shows how best practice studies can build the basis for hazard-specific ergonomics training.
03
Oct, 22
Ergonomics experiments you can do at home
A few months ago, I reported about how “glove fit” affects grip strength. (Better fit = greater strength). This morning, I played around with grip endurance using different types of grips, and performed a little experiment at home. Here’s what I did: I found a 2-litre bottle of liquid (about 2 kg). I opened the […]
17
Oct, 21
I have a smart, bad dog…what does that have to do with ergonomics?
Dogs are smart, and they learn just like people learn. We taught our border collie cross, Ursa to ring a bell on our door when she wants to be let out. Smart, right? And she knows where the boundaries of her electronic fence are. But she WILL NOT walk on a leash. Why is that? […]
Should ergonomics training be provided regularly? If so, why?
Basic employee ergonomics training, as we described in a previous blog should be provided upon hire. But after that, do employees need ergonomics training? We argue that, yes, training should be provided regularly. Here’s why: Orientation is a blur. (“The mind can only absorb as much as the butt can endure,” or so said P. […]
05
Jul, 21
Ergonomics and Fun Theory
At our ergo conference in June, we heard talks about using fun to motivate people’s behaviour. Presenters showed videos of musical stairs; most people chose to climb the stairs that were painted like a piano and made sounds as they climbed, rather than use the escalator that was right beside it. They showed people running […]
21
May, 21
You had an intern (or co-op student)….now what?
Right now, 40 graduating ergonomists from Fanshawe college are completing their internships at a variety of workplaces. (This was the 5th cohort – last year 32 graduated.) Many of the interns are starting projects or programs that will require maintenance. What happens after the internship is completed? Some workplaces may want to hire the intern […]