EHS Ergonomics News
Safety 2009: Barab Urges Safety and Health Professionals to Speak Up, Get Involved
At ASSE 2009, Acting Assistant Secretary of Labor for OSHA Jordan Barab outlined some of the key challenges OSHA is addressing and prompted occupational safety and health professionals to take a more aggressive role and let their voices be heard in safety and health issues....
Historical Perspectives Tour Gives Students Insight to Workplace Dangers
Students and faculty from six colleges and universities will travel through 150 years of history and cover more than 1,100 miles to explore the hazards faced by workers in industries that fueled America’s industrial dominance during the 20th century in the 4th annual Historical Perspectives Tour....
Ergonomics: Office Chair Design and the Potential Impact on Heart Rate
According to research presented at the 2009 American Industrial Hygiene Conference and Expo, your office chair can affect more than your posture or comfort – it also might lower your heart rate....
Creating a Culture of Construction Workplace Safety Around the Globe
Inadequate fall protection continues to rank at the top of the list of OSHA citations in the United States. Of the 1,200 construction fatalities in 2008,...
Office Ergonomics Book Reveals Early-Stage Solutions
John Wiley and Sons, the foremost publisher of scientific and medical journals, is publishing "Safety Manager's Guide to Office Ergonomics," a new book written by Craig Chasen...
Truck Driver Demographics and the Risk of Musculoskeletal Injuries
Commercial truck drivers face the risk of injury not only from accidents on the road, but also from the physical toll of sitting in and operating the vehicle. According to a recent Atlas Ergonomics study, long hours behind the wheel put certain drivers at a higher risk of developing musculoskeletal injuries....
At Ford, Ergonomics Meets Immersive Engineering
Assembly-line work is not easy. Producing a vehicle every 60 seconds requires a lot of stretching, reaching, lifting, pulling and pushing. By bringing...
OSHA and Shipbuilders Council Address Shipyard Hazards
Electrocution and welding hot work hazards are among safety alerts addressed by a recently renewed alliance between OSHA and the Shipbuilders Council of America (SCA)....
Winter Weather presents Osteoporosis and Foot and Ankle Fracture Danger for Older Workers
Falls and winter ice can be dangerous, especially to older workers, who have special concerns about slipping and falling on an icy patch of ground. The American Orthopaedic Foot & Ankle Society (AOFAS) also is concerned about the increased dangers to older workers with osteoporosis (progressive bone loss) and the possibility of fractures to the foot or ankle, which often happen from falls on icy surfaces....
Most Disabling Workplace Injuries Cost $48.6 Billion in 2006
The estimated direct U.S. workers compensation costs for the most disabling workplace injuries and illnesses in 2006 were $48.6 billion, according to the 2008 Liberty Mutual Workplace Safety Index....
Australia: EHS Implications of Obesity for Workplace Designers
The Australian Safety and Compensation Council (ASCC) has released a research report on the occupational health and safety implications of having accurate data when designing Australian workplaces. The accuracy of anthropometric data is an emerging issue that is a focus of research for the ASCC....
Preventing Extreme Sport Injuries
For many thrill-seekers, extreme sports, such as downhill ski racing, ski jumping, snowboarding, snowmobiling, snow biking and ice climbing, can be fun way to get an adrenaline rush during the long winter months. But these sports are called “x-treme” for a reason – participants may have a high chance of injury....
Who is the Older Worker?
Older workers may be 45, 55 or 65 years old; in their 70s; or even older. They are full-time and part-time, temporary and permanent, white collar and...
ASSE Discusses Future of OSHA With New Administration
American Society of Safety Engineers (ASSE) officials reviewed their key concerns and suggestions for the U.S. Department of Labor and OSHA during discussions of occupational safety, health and the environment issues with the new administration’s transition team....
Snow Shoveling Safety Tips
The seasonal chore of snow shoveling combines heavy lifting and cold weather, resulting in possible injuries to the back and shoulder muscles if shovelers do not take the proper precautions. The American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons (AAOS) makes several recommendations to help you stay safe while clearing snow so you can still have some winter fun....
Former OSHA, NIOSH Heads Discuss OSHA’s Future
Former OSHA Administrator John Henshaw and former National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH) Director Dr. John Howard discussed the future of OSHA, the standards-setting process and the economic impact on workplace safety during a Dec. 9 American Society of Safety Engineers (ASSE) webcast....
Ergonomic News: A Different Perspective on Ergonomics Assessment Tools
Ergonomics assessment tools have been around for quite some time to help practitioners evaluate the risk in a job. ...
Gerdau Ameristeel Facility Wins Find It – Fix It Challenge
For the second year in a row, first place in Humantech’s Find It – Fix It Challenge was awarded to Gerdau Ameristeel’s Charlotte, N.C. facility. This year's winning improvement focused on the facility’s Reline Ladle/Brick Chute device. ...
BLS: Workplace Injuries, Illnesses Decreased from 2006-2007
The Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) announced that the rate and number of occupational injuries and illnesses requiring days away from work decreased 2 percent from 2006 to 2007...
Self-Established Ergonomic Standards
Personal experience shows that the companies that have the best workplace ergonomics have set clear goals for ergonomic conditions. House ergonomic specifications are a fine way to express these goals. ...
AAOS Issues New Carpal Tunnel Treatment Guidelines
The American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons (AAOS) has approved and released “The Treatment of Carpal Tunnel Syndrome,” an evidence-based clinical practice guideline....
OSHA, AIHA Renew Alliance
Employers and employees will receive valuable workplace safety and health information and training resources on general industry, construction and emergency response issues through a renewed alliance signed Oct. 27 between OSHA and the American Industrial Hygiene Association (AIHA)....
Where is the “Ergonomics Community”?
This past weekend, I had the opportunity to attend a leadership conference held by the American Society of Safety Engineers (ASSE). I attended the conference because of my position as vice chair of ASSE’s Ergonomics Branch. ...
Workplace Posture Can Cause Aching Heads, Shoulders, Knees and Toes
There are many common pains and strains that can take place at work, leaving both employers and employees at risk. ...
The National Ergonomics Conference and Expo
The National Ergonomics Conference and Expo (NECE) provides a forum for professionals looking for new ways to reduce workplace related injuries, improve...
