Home The 30-Inch View^® Blog Ergonomics Done Right^®

With 12,000 employees on five continents, automotive supplier Inteva Products needed a way to scale ergonomics across their 50 locations. Using a participatory approach to ergonomics, an emphasis on engineering design guidelines, and the standardized tools found in The Humantech System®, they’ve had strong success in North America and are now focusing abroad. Here is… read more

We are very good at knowing our physical capabilities.  You know if you can lift a gallon of milk off the top shelf of your refrigerator. What we are not as good at is accurately estimating the weight of an object.  For example, if that gallon of milk has been partially consumed, it is hard… read more

In a typical work week, employees spend an average of 5 hours and 41 minutes per day sitting at their desks, according to the British Psychological Society. That’s a long time to sit in a chair that may not fit your anthropometrics (individual measurements). To get the right one, you may need to test the… read more

More and more companies have implemented sit-stand workstations to improve employee health. Recent research from the University of California  found no evidence to support that claim.  Humantech certified ergonomist Blake McGowan summarizes the findings in this month’s Bottom Line video. The findings include: An increase in overall sitting time, including occupational and leisure, has a… read more

It’s easy to keep ergonomics in mind when you’re in the workplace, with daily reminders or posted signs promoting proper lifting techniques. We spend most of our lives outside of work (if you’re lucky enough) so it’s important to reduce our own daily risk exposures. As an ergonomist, I’ve often heard how clients improved their… read more

Whether you are kicking off an ergonomics process, or have been at it for several years, it is important to understand the keys to success. Described below are the various stages companies go through and targeted milestones to achieve continued success. Beginner: Planning The best way to begin a new ergonomics process is by clearly… read more

Proper placement of tooling and equipment is critical to reducing MSD risk and improving productivity in industrial environments, and Dectron USA makes it easier with their Kaizen Arms.  Humantech ergonomist Kendra Perdeaux takes a closer look at this modular support system.   

In this first of a four-part video series, Certified Professional Ergonomist Mike Hoonhorst shares the best practices outlined by our clients at our recent Humantech System Summit. In this installment clients answered the question, “What leadership involvement and accountability is needed to manage one or multiple sites?” The best practices used by many include: Train… read more

Recent research from the University of Waterloo in Canada found three critical barriers and three key facilitators to the successful deployment and maintenance of an ergonomics process. Humantech board-certified ergonomist Blake McGowan explains in this month’s video. The three barriers to success are: Lack of management commitment, support, and involvement Lack of organizational training and… read more

Exercise balls (stability balls) have made their way from the gym to the office. You may have seen coworkers sitting on them or maybe the thought of trying one has crossed your mind. Maintaining balance when sitting and working on an exercise ball requires the user to engage his or her core, so it sounds… read more