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Culture and Traditions: Ergonomics in the Medina

by Walt Rostykus, CPE

Seeing and learning about the daily workings and ways of life in other counties and cultures helps me keep things in perspective. While in Morocco, I noticed that most ground-level work was done manually by people working in a bent over, flexed-back posture.  This was a common practice for the guy mowing the lawn (with hand shears), the person painting the curb, and even the person mopping the floor with a hand cloth.  Watching them work in this “butts up” posture made me cringe.

In any country or workplace, people will bend and twist into awkward postures in order to complete work tasks even when they don’t have the right equipment.   Morocco is rich with Arabic and French history, handicrafts, fantastic foods, and traditional ways of working.   Simple tools like a lawn mower, longer handled brush or paint sprayer, or mop would have eliminated the need for these people to work in such positions.   But like many places around the world, the cost of labor is cheaper than the cost of things, equipment, and the right tool.

But not all is bad, from an ergonomic stand point.  Just around the corner in the Souk (market), I spotted one of the many handcarts used to transport goods and materials through the narrow, winding, and unpaved streets and alleyways.  Cars and trucks are not used in this part of the city since it was laid out long before motorized vehicles were created.

As I watched a porter transporting a cart full of mangos, I realized the good design of carts.  Design that had evolved over the years as new materials (steel frame and rubber wheels) replaced wood.  The waist-high handle placement and large pneumatic wheels improved the ergonomics of pushing the cart. Even though I was on vacation, I could not help but investigate the design. I measured the force required to get the cart moving and the force to sustain it, then compared them with the limits of the Snook-Cirrielio table (pushing). The force to get the cart moving (33lb), and the sustained force (19 lb.), were within the maximum acceptable forces recommended.  This indicates that good cart design helped reduce the amount of force the porter has to apply to move the weight of the cart (~50-70 lb.) and cargo (~100 lb. of fresh mango) across an uneven surface.

This experience is one illustration of the challenges we face improving ergonomics in the workplace; including design of equipment, perception and value of manual work versus investment in tools, cultural differences (of work, health, medicine, etc.) and perception of hazard and value.

What ergonomic “challenges” and “successes” have you seen in other cultures?


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Posted by humantech on February 8th, 2012

Ergo Myths: The Bent-Handle Shovel is Best

By Kevin Perdeaux, CPE

The ‘ergonomic’ bent-handle shovel is not new to the market, and is a far more popular choice than the traditional straight-handle shovel. However, despite its popularity, why doesn’t the ergonomic shovel render the traditional straight-handle shovel obsolete?

bent-handle ergonomic shovel

The two shovels are designed to provide mechanical advantages in different situations. The bent-handle shovel is designed using the principles of biomechanical stress to the low back for pushing tasks. When push force is applied as the hands move vertically from the hips, either above or below hip level, the off-axis forces create increased strain to the low back. The user applies push forces through the midsection of the trunk to avoid unnecessary low back strain. However, this mechanical advantage is optimal only for pushing the snow, not lifting.

If you have ever used the bent-handle shovel, you may have noticed that the angle of the shaft positions the load such that it is difficult to raise the shovel blade end. When you attempt to lift the shovel, to clear the top of a snow bank for example, the front hand often must lift higher than is required with a traditional handle because of the angle of the shovel shaft. The front hand also bears more of the overall weight due to an inefficient lever created by the handle design. The traditional shovel handle is straight and allows for more optimal hand positioning for easier lifting.

So the next time you are out for a marathon of shoveling, go easy on your back and use the straight-handle shovel for lifting and the bent-handle shovel for pushing. Selecting the right tool for the task is important…even for snow shoveling.

Image courtesy of homedepot.com

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Posted by humantech on January 18th, 2012

I Spy with my Ergo Eyes…Ergonomics in Design

by Cecilia Chan

Cecilia ChanWhile on a recent site visit, two interesting designs caught my eyes.

As I steered away from the airport parking lot in a Ford Focus rental, I noticed two angled protrusions located conveniently at the 10 and 2 positions on the steering wheel right where my thumbs were resting. It was so strange! See for yourself. (Disclaimer: Photos were taken while the car was parked.) I couldn’t resist comparing this to my Camry steering wheel, a standard cylindrically-shaped steering wheel with grooves on the underside. For the rest of my trip, I pondered about the purpose of these protrusions. My conclusion is that they help to eliminate the bent thumb postures that result from gripping a conventional steering wheel. They act as a thumb rest and prevent drivers from exerting the death grip. As the miles passed, I came to appreciate the design more and more. Their 10 and 2 locations promote good driving habits, but on the down side, also prevent drivers from changing their arm/shoulder postures, which may lead to fatigue. I’d still give this design two thumbs up though! Are you a Ford Focus owner or does your steering wheel have a similar design?

The second design can be found inside the women’s washroom at Walmart. I call this design ‘the wave’. The washroom sinks are designed like the crests of a wave, with the two middle sinks located slightly higher than the outside sinks. Talk about accommodating the population! Taller women would find the higher sinks easier to use, reducing butts up postures, while shorter women (like myself) would find the lower sinks more comfortable to use, reducing awkward shoulder postures. This design idea is also great for moms with young children – no need to lift them up as high or better yet, children may be able to tip toe up to the sink themselves to wash their hands. What a great idea! Does your neighborhood Walmart washroom have a similar design?


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Posted by humantech on January 9th, 2012

Winter Technology with a Hidden Holiday Gift

By Miguel Gonzalez, CPE

Miguel GonzalezI recently came across these smarTouch Isotoner gloves and was initially intrigued by their feature to help me connect to my mobile device in the cold!

Essentially, the design of the gloves allows the user to interact with a touch screen device without having to fear the effects of the winter elements.  More specifically, “The thumb and index finger are embroidered with conductive thread that conveys an electrical impulse to the touchscreen. This unique patent pending construction gives these gloves exceptional performance, allowing for pinpoint accuracy.” But, from an ergonomic perspective, these gloves provide the user with a hidden holiday gift.  The gloves address a couple of risk factors that we know (over time) can contribute to ergonomic injuries.  Most obvious is the fact that the gloves eliminate exposure to low temperatures (known to reduce blood flow and tactile sensitivity). But more importantly, the intent of the smarTouch gloves is to eliminate the need to repeatedly remove and put-on winter gloves while one uses a touch screen device.  Over a 5-month winter season, you could potentially avoid hundreds, if not thousands of repetitive movements simply by keeping your winter gloves on.  This just may be the perfect stocking stuffer for you or any fellow touch-screen user!


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Posted by humantech on December 13th, 2011

Thanksgiving Ergonomics

With Thanksgiving just around the corner, planning the perfect holiday celebration is a priority for many, which includes cooking the traditionalThanksgiving Ergonomics turkey dinner.  In the United States, over 240 million turkeys were produced last year, weighing a total of approximately 7 billion pounds!  While the average Thanksgiving bird weighs about 15 pounds, studies show this number is increasing each year, so it’s important to make your preparation and cooking time as ergonomic as possible. Here are a few tips to consider when cooking your turkey dinner.

  • Reduce the horizontal reach.  Before taking the turkey out of the oven, clear the countertop. Wear the proper oven gloves to avoid burns and keep the turkey close to the body to reduce forces on the elbows and shoulders.
  • Lift with the legs and not the back. When lifting the turkey out of the oven, remember to avoid a “Butts Up” posture and extreme flexion at the trunk.
  • Reduce push forces on the fingers/thumb. With the carving knife, cut a small hole into the turkey where you can insert the thermometer. This will help reduce the forces on the fingers when pushing the thermometer into the turkey.
  • Make it electric. Use an electric carver, rather than a manual carver and turning fork, to reduce the force required to carve the perfect turkey.  The carver should weigh less than 4 lb.
  • Less is better.  When transferring the slices of turkey onto a platter, minimize the amount to reduce the weight of the platter since it will be passed around the table. Lightweight platters are easier to handle and they can always be refilled a second or third time.

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Posted by humantech on October 26th, 2011

No Comfort Zone at the Apple Orchard

by Kevin Perdeaux, CPE

Just when I thought an evening at the local apple orchard would remove me from manufacturing environments and ergonomic Kevin Perdeauxchallenges, I was quickly reminded that ergonomics is everywhere! Commonly, apple orchards will place large crates among the tree lanes and fill them with excess apples to ‘ease’ the strains of picking off tall branches. What a great idea I thought, until I went to pick a handful of apples from the crate myself only to notice that the gatherers before me had picked the apples closest to the perimeter of the crate, leaving me the choice of bending over to the bottom of the crate or into the middle where the stack was still high.

I guess it doesn’t matter whether we are on the assembly line or at the apple orchard, it is inherent for humans to avoid working outside our comfort zone. Heck, we even have lazy-susans at the dinner table to minimize reaching. How many of you out there use these at home?

I guess I can’t really complain about my apple orchard experience, as my faulted ergonomic comfort zone was quickly replaced by the comfort of warm cider and farm fresh pumpkin donuts!

Cheers to Autumn and all its beauty.


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Posted by humantech on October 26th, 2011

The Ergonomic Gardener

Just because summer is at a close, don’t put away your shovel and rake quite yet.  Harvest has just begun and there is still a lot of work to do outside.  We’ve got the tips to make your gardening projects and yard work hurt a whole lot less.

Ergonomic Gardening Tips

  • To avoid lifting, rake leaves onto a canvas tarp.  When full, pull the tarp and unload the debris to the desired location.
  • Always use gloves (knee pads can be used to) to provide padding and to prevent cuts and scrapes.  Gloves should be form-fitting.  Thin gloves are preferred; too much padding will decrease hand strength, coordination and power grip.
  • Use ergonomic tools.  Just because the tool says “ergonomic” does not mean it is.
  • Pay attention to handle diameter, size and weight.  Telescopic and pistol-grip handles require less energy to perform work; a curved handle, like ones similar to Radius Garden’s hand trowel, provides more leverage with less wrist stress since it is designed to fit the natural curve of the hand.
  • Maintain tools by keeping them sharp and oiled.  A dull blade will require more effort and force and could lead to injury.
  • Elbows should be kept below heart level as much as possible.  The use of long-handed tools or taking periodic breaks to minimize such movements will keep your body in a comfortable position.
  • Avoid working with your thumbs pointing toward the floor.  This arm position “wings” your elbow out and reduces your applied strength while adding stress to the body.
  • Work with wrists in a neutral position – straight, in line with forearm, and with thumbs up.  Remember to hold objects with a light grasp or grip.
  • Avoid fine-motor repetitive movements such as pinching and pulling, these movements are often used with the finger and the thumb
  • Try to minimize your continuous extended reaches to fewer than 10 to 15 seconds. Take short breaks between segments to prevent injury and overexertion.
  • Minimize the time spent working with your head and neck in an extended position (looking up).  Take periodic breaks to avoid fatigue.

Now, go outside and get to work!


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Posted by humantech on September 1st, 2011

The Right Tool for the Job

Recently, we moved to a new place and we got help from a local moving company.  As the movers were manually and physically transporting items to their truck, the ergonomist in me could not resist to offer them some suggestions to make the job easier.  One suggestion was to use a slip-on canvas mattress carrier to transfer mattresses, which allows the users to slide the mattresses rather than lifting them. At first reluctant, but willing to try, they purchased the $20 mattress carrier during their break and, no surprise, they had highly positive feedback on the carrier.

mattress carrier


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Posted by humantech on January 13th, 2011

Kebab Ergonomics (in Istanbul)

Submitted by Kevin Perdeaux, Humantech Consultant

Kebab_fille_gd
I was recently traveling through Turkey, and was amazed at the number of kebab shops.  This staple snack includes shredded chicken,
beef or lamb from a vertical rotating spit, packed into bread with onions,
tomatoes, lettuce and topped off with lemon juice and salt.

With such high demand, kebab shopkeepers spend hours with
their arms at shoulder level shaving meat with large knifes and cutting
utensils; a definite ergonomic risk! This shop decided to replace the manual
tools with an electric planar to ease meat shaving and improve task efficiency.

We are always interested to hear about improved work engineering from outside North America, so feel free to post any photos or stories.


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Posted by Kent Hatcher on October 6th, 2009

Ergonomics in the Virtual World

Beamkatana_02_1223591173000 Ergonomics is so essential that even game designers are building it into their virtual worlds…

Here’s a review from the Weapons Locker column at ign.com:

"The Beam Katana has often been compared to a lightsaber; however, the Beam Katana is different in several subtle, but fundamental ways. While the core feature of both is a concentrated energy beam capable of slicing through any material known to man, the Beam Katana uses an energy loop as to a standalone beam… (the) first Beam Katana was the Blood Berry, which is a no-frills mainline model made more readily available to the general public. The Blood Berry consists of the standard handle base, a horizontal handle for added ergonomics and stability, a pointed extendable receiver, and a guide bar that runs parallel to the beam."

Beamkatana_01_1223591147000

Obviously a well-designed weapon that let’s you fight all day long!


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Posted by Kent Hatcher on October 10th, 2008

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