ERGONOMICS - ERGONOMICS ASSESSMENT - ERGONOMICS TRAINING

Ergonomics

Internet Links for Ergonomics, Assessment, Training, and Safety.

Efficacy of Ergonomics

Historically, Ergonomics was another name for Human Factors. Today, Ergonomics commonly refers to designing work environments for maximizing safety and efficiency. Biometrics and Anthropometrics play a key role in this use of the word Ergonomics. Engineering Psychology often has a specialty dealing with Workplace or Occupational Ergonomics.

Companies once thought that there was a bottom-line tradeoff between safety and efficiency. Now they embrace ergonomics because they have learned that designing a safe work environment can also result in greater efficiency and productivity. Recently, U.S. laws requiring a safe work environment have stimulated great interest in Ergonomics - from ergonomic furniture to ergonomic training. But it is in the design of the workplace as a whole where the greatest impact can be seen for both safety and efficiency.

The easier it is to do a job, the more likely it is to see gains in productivity due to greater efficiency. Analogously, the safer it is to do a job, the more likely it is to see gains in productivity due to reduced time off for injury. Ergonomics can address both of these issues concurrently by maximizing the workspace and equipment needed to do a job.

Ergonomics Expert Services

Usernomics can assist your company with all areas of ergonomics including: ergonomic assessment, workplace design, and staff training. We can make your workplace safe, efficient, and in compliance. Our expert Ergonomics Engineers apply a rigorous and systematic technique to ensure a hazard-free and worker-safe environment.

. We use quantitative methods to evaluate the workplace and determine those areas that will most benefit from design and placement changes. Once the critical ergonomic hot spots have been identified and evaluated, we can re-design the problem areas to maximize the ergonomic impact. Finally, we can train your staff to self-monitor and regulate their ergonomic environment. The objective is to meet compliance requirements while increasing safety, efficiency, and productivity.

Our expertise covers a wide range of workplace environments including the office, manufacturing floor, warehouse, and vehicles.

Internet Links

As a service to our professional community, we are pleased to bring you a great starting place for locating information about Ergonomics. The following Internet Links are for topics in:

• Ergonomics
• Biometrics
• Safety & Health
• Office & Manufacturing Ergonomics

If you like this page, please link to us.

Page 1 of 2 Ergonomics   

• 3M offers an educational program that teaches the fundamentals of office ergonomics, including physical, environmental and emotional elements. It suggests improvements that individuals can apply to customize their workstations and tasks.
• ASSE is the Greater San Jose Chapter of the American Society of Safety Engineers. They have several links to government agencies, OSHA, and various organizations.
• Agricultural Ergonomics Research Center (AERC) at The University of California, Davis has the mission to understand and apply ergonomic approaches to development and evaluation of equipment designs and work practices that prevent musculoskeletal disorders in agricultural work.
• Alexander Technique International is the worldwide professional organization for the F.M. Alexander Technique for avoiding Repetitive Stress Injuries by Holly Sweeney.
• Annual Review of Medicine by Philip E. Higgs, M.D. and Susan E. Mackinnon, M.D., Division of Plastic Surgery, Department of Surgery, Washington University School of Medicine, St. Louis, Missouri is a complete medical source for Repetitive Stress Injury (RSI).
• Amara's RSI Page is Amara Graps' articles on Ergonomic Computing (or Don't Let Your Computer Cripple You!). Lots of information on Repetitive Stress Syndrome.
• The American Board of Industrial Hygiene (ABIH®) is a not-for-profit corporation, was organized to improve the practice and educational standards of the profession of industrial hygiene.
• The Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA is the official site containing all of the regulations.
• "Avoiding Carpal Tunnel Syndrome: A guide for computer keyboard users" is an article by Mark Sheehan. Carpal tunnel syndrome is common among computer keyboard users. It can strike anyone, and its consequences are serious.
• BAERGO is the Ergonomics Association of Argentina. They publish a Spanish language bulletin covering a variety of topics.
• Barbre Ergonomics Consulting and training for industrial and office environments. Free online advice, ergo tips brochure, anti-fatigue stretching poster, and useful links on site.
• Biomechanics and Ergonomics Research Team (BERT) is part of the University of Cincinnati College of Medicine and is a laboratory for research in various ergonomic topics.
• Biodynamics Laboratory at Ohio State focuses on the study of occupational joint loading under dynamic conditions. Their goal is to obtain a better understanding of occupational ergonomics through the laboratory quantification of information gathered directly from industry.
• Biomechanics Ergonomics Resource Team Biomechanics and Ergonomics Laboratory Dr. Amit Bhattacharya, Director Department of Environmental Health University of Cincinnati College of Medicine has a Motion Analysis Laboratory, Postural Stability Testing, Eye Movement Testing Laboratory, Vision Testing Laboratory, Muscular Activity Measurement Center, Plantar Pressure Measurement, and Ergometer.
• Biomechanics World Wide is designed to assist all persons in their search for information on the broad topic of Biomechanics.
• CCOHS is the Canadian Center for Occupational Health and Safety. They have lots of CD-ROM demos, courses, and an Occupational Health and Safety Exchange.
• Center for Ergonomics University of Michigan - research programs of the Center augment the undergraduate and graduate degree programs of Industrial and Operations Engineering, Bioengineering, Industrial Hygiene and Occupational Medicine.
• Centralized European Hand-Arm Vibration Data Base contains vibration data for about 2500 hand-held power tools.
• CTDRN works with individuals and organizations in providing information to the repetitive strain injury (RSI) community -- those with RSIs, others at risk, and related professionals and organizations. Planned educational activities include, but are not limited to, publications, lectures, workshops, conferences, as well as assisting the public in related educational activities.
• Carpal Tunnel Syndrome is a commercial site but does have lots of references to CTS. Specific emphasis is on keyboards and personal ways to avoid problems.
• The Center for Industrial Ergonomics is an integral unit of the Department of Industrial Engineering, University of Louisville. Lots of references to papers, organizations, and programs.
• "Computer Ergonomics" by Dr. Charles Daniels contains a lot of information on "living with computers." Good tips and suggestions.
• Computer Related Repetitive Strain Injury was written by Keith L. Moore and deals with injuries to the hands and arms resulting from the use of computer keyboards and mice.
• Cornell University Human Factors and Ergonomics focuses on research on ergonomic designs of computer products (hardware and software) and workplace issues for offices, hospitals, hotels and schools. Also covers safety issues, such as: carpal tunnel syndrome, back injuries, air quality, sick building syndrome, and lighting.
• Corporate Vision Consulting has a wealth of information about vision associated with computing. Lots of articles, seminars, books, etc.
• Cates & Jensen's Research Link Page is a great set of links to medical resources including biomechanics.
• CUErgo from Cornell University discusses "how to choose an ergonomic chair."
• Dan MacLeod's Ergonomics Web Site has several articles on workplace ergonomics, books, training, and professional support.
• Delft University RSI page has some good information. Hit the English button.
• Diversified Management Group contains office ergonomics information aimed at ergonomics committee members as well as office workers in general. Some good concise information.
• Eliminating Work Related Musculoskeletal Disorder from CCOHS.
• Environmental Health & Safety Resources has links to Internet sites on environmental-occupational health, safety, and risk management topics. Almost all of the regulatory agencies and organizations are linked here.
• Environmental Health and Safety at University of Virginia focuses on all aspects of office ergonomics including: VDT ergonomics, cumulative trauma disorder, workstation ergonomics, safe work habits, and general office considerations. Lots of cute pictures.
• Environmental Health, Safety & Risk Management includes links to Internet sites on environmental-occupational health, safety, and risk management topics from The University of Wisconsin - Milwaukee.
• ErgoAnytime has Free Ergonomics Tutorials & Info with ergonomics links to WebMD, F-ONE, ZDNET, and IBM.
• ErgoBlog is a blog designed to provide a resource for people interested in office ergonomics, computer ergonomics, healthy computing, etc. In particular, the focus is on news and reviews of industry books, voice-recognition software, ergonomic chairs and desks, related accessories, and ergonomic computer peripherals such as alternative keyboards and mice.
• Ergonautas is a spanish website focused on ergonomic evaluations methods developed by the Technical University of Valencia (Universidad Politécnica de Valencia).
• Ergonomics.org applies the Alexander Technique as a practical solution to problems in posture, movement, and other workplace ergonomics.
• Ergonomics & Computer Injury: FAQs by Dr. Jonathan Bailin has been designed to focus discussion and respond to many, if not most, computer use health questions.
• Ergonomics Australia On-Line is the University of Queensland ergonomics site that hosts an ongoing archive of posts to aus-ergo, a list for discussion of any topic related to ergonomics.
• Ergonomics in Australia contains a lot of free information about ergonomics and safety. It has resources for ergonomics projects, services, and links to extraordinarily helpful ergonomics sites all over the world. A vast amount of useful, free information about ergonomics and a very useful list of links to a wide range of ergonomics, health and safety resources.
• EGO's Ergonomics Manual is a complete manual on Repetitive Stress Injury (RSI).
• ErgoSolutions magazine is a hands-on resource for ergonomics team members and managers, and anyone seeking to improve workplace productivity, health, and safety through preventative, cost-saving ergonomics management.
• Ergoweb has good resources and information on occupational ergonomics.
• ErgoWorld has planets specifically focused on Office Ergonomics and Injury Prevention/Treatment. This site also has links to other topics in the field (industrial ergonomics, HCI/usability, transportation HF, HF in design), and provides information on employment opportunities, university programs, consultants, products, and events.
• Essential Ergonomics is a PCWorld article on practical steps for safe ergonomic computing. A very helpful article for an individual wanting to improve their work environment.
• The European Trade Union Technical Bureau for Health and Safety was established in 1989 by the European Trade Union Confederation in order to monitor the drafting, transposition and application of this legislation. Lots of links to Musculoskeletal disorders in Europe.
• Eye2Eye focuses on eye strain with the intent to increase productivity of the computer operator by increasing visual comfort and efficiency at the workstation. They have lots of links, discussions, and products for eye strain.
• General Ergonomic Risk Analysis is a checklist from ErgoWeb but is worth checking out if you are interested in safety issues and Risk Analysis. The checklist is great.
• Harvard RSI Action Home Page has student groups: Harvard RSI Action is a GSAS student group open to all Harvard students (graduate, undergraduate, professional schools). Harvard-Radcliffe RSI Action is an undergraduate organization also open to all Harvard students.
• Harvard School of Public Health Training Program: Ergonomics and Human Factors: Applications in Occupational Safety and Health September 28 - October 1, 2004, Boston, MA
• HealthyComputing.com - Positioning or using your computer improperly can lead to various injuries, from the short-term discomfort of headaches to potentially debilitating conditions like Carpal Tunnel Syndrome. HealthyComputing.com's assembled the world's foremost experts to provide unbiased information on computer-related health and safety. Lots of links and information.
• Humanics ErgoSystems has a great set of links to ergonomic, human factors, user interface design, etc.
• IBM Healthy Computing is devoted to helping you use your personal computer comfortably, providing extensive ergonomic and environmental information at one location.
• IEA The International Ergonomics Association is the federation of ergonomics and human factors societies from around the world. The mission of IEA is to elaborate and advance ergonomics science and practice, and to improve the quality of life by expanding its scope of application and contribution to society.
• IRSST (Occupational Health and Safety Research Institute) offers a wide range of resources for occupational health and safety researchers and specialists.
• Illuminating Engineering Society of North America is a professional society devoted to illumination. They have papers and conferences focused on lighting.
• IOSH is Europe's leading body for health and safety professionals, represents 27,000 members in over 50 countries. An independent, not-for-profit organization, the Institution regulates and steers the profession, maintaining standards and providing impartial, authoritative guidance on health and safety issues.
• The Insiders' Guide to the Alexander Technique has a good introduction to Alexander Technique with links and publications.
• International Organization for Standards (ISO) contains all of the ISO TC159 standards for ergonomics.
• Job Stress Network is the home page of the Center For Social Epidemiology. They have lots of information about and related to Job Strain (specifically) and Work Stress (in general).
• Kinesiology Research Starting Points is a Comprehensive Sites of Interest to Kinesiology from the University of Waterloo.
• Korrnet has extensive links to health and safety from the U.S. Government.
• LAW RESEARCH a complete list of International and United States Law related to disabilities. Includes a searchable database.
• Lawrence Livermore Lab and National Society for Biotechnology Information has information on biomedical technology and human factors engineering. Mostly in-house work but an interesting site.
• Lighting Research Center is part of Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute and is the leading university-based research center devoted to lighting. Lots of links to lighting research and issues.
• The Los Angeles RSI Support Group is a another group of individuals who come together once a month to talk about issues relating to Repetitive Strain Injuries (RSIs) such as tendonitis, thoracic outlet, and carpal tunnel. Lots of personal help.
• Mayo Clinic focuses on eyestrain and your computer screen: tips for getting relief. Lots of practical tips and tricks.
• Musicians and Injuries discusses the various injuries associated with musical instruments.
• The Carpal Solution a proactive stretching Carpal Tunnel therapy that works well with ergonomic solutions to prevent Carpal Tunnel. It is one of the most comprehensive sites on the web for non-invasive carpal tunnel therapy and help with repetitive strain injuries and written under the guidance of a physician who has worked with these disorders for many years.

Page 1 of 2 Ergonomics   

Return To Top