I periodically hear people state their beliefs that ergonomics-related engineering improvements tend to be cost prohibitive. While this does happen, I find it to be the exception, versus the rule. But how can that be? Yes, there are situations in some facilities that can be cost prohibitive to change—short term. This is especially true in…
We all like to eat a good meal, but many people don’t always understand, or appreciate the efforts that are required of thousands of people across the globe to feed us. Someone has to produce, process, and distribute the foodstuffs we all too often take for granted. Even those who may still grow a lot…
Get COVID-19 SAFETY CERTIFICATION today! COVID-19 is not going away anytime soon. In one Illinois testing center, for example, positive test rates recently exceeded 28%. In just two weeks, Sedgwick County, Kansas has had over 7,600 new cases. Kent County, Michigan has logged over 47,000 cases per 1-million residents. With this rise in COVID-19 cases…
If you live and/or work in Illinois, new Tier 3 COVID-19 requirements are being implemented after midnight tonight. Click this link for more details, but here are some key elements for Manufacturing, Hospitality and Offices. Our services are not limited to Illinois, as we have consultants across the country who can help you as we work…
I posted a simple poll recently that asked “Where does safety begin at your company?” Four options were provided: At the CEO’s desk, During the design phase, During installation, and At the start of the shift. Of those responding, the results were quite interesting. While it was only possible to select one option, no one…
Dan Baker has an amazing keynote speech at the Protective Insurance Claims & Safety 2020 virtual seminar. Drivers have to pick goods up on time, transport them without damage, and deliver them on time. As Dan says, they are the key to your success, even though transportation and distribution employees are in an occupational group…
Many people working from home went from a “regular” office to a home office. But the pandemic-inspired move to working at home has affected another important group of people, who are starting to have real problems. A recent survey found that about 67 percent of people new to working at home are having “major ergonomics…
Design fascinates me. Companies open new, beautiful hotels, install multi-million dollar production lines, or spend millions on office furniture and accessories, yet do not engage Ergonomists like me in the design phase. Then they wonder why the rooms aren’t properly cleaned, production and maintenance employees are getting hurt, and office employees don’t use the full…
I miss “my” housekeepers. Many hospitality companies have stopped spending on just about everything, including Cal/OSHA MIPP Compliance, until occupancy rates rise to a more sustainable level. But that cannot happen until people start traveling more for both business and personal reasons. A year ago the unemployment rate in Leisure & Hospitality was 5%, in…
Last week as part of our monthly virtual Society of Casualty Safety Engineers’ meeting, I had the opportunity to listen to a talk by Margaret Hackbarth, Of Counsel, from Washington, DC, regarding Premises Liability During COVID-19. Her talk provided things to be aware of, and key steps that companies should be taking to limit their…