Introduction In January 2012, the hotel worker union UNITE HERE filed a petition with Cal/OSHA and requested a specific safety standard to protect hotel housekeepers. The request included a maximum requirement of cleaning 5,000 square feet of room space per eight-hour work shift, the use of fitted bottom sheets as a requirement, and the prohibition of working…
According to the US Bureau of Labor Statistics, the summer months of June, July and August have the most injuries resulting in days away from work. Of these cases, over 42-percent result from sprains, strains, tears, tendonitis, and carpal tunnel syndrome (CTS). The average case cost of these is about $25,000. With summer rapidly approaching,…
No matter who we are, where we are, or what language we speak, EH&S risks hurt people, no matter how much one may try to hide or suppress the pain, ill-feeling, or discomfort. Whether a job is in processing, manufacturing, transportation & distribution, assembly, packaging, or an office, or whether working from home—safety risk factors…
Were you or the people you work with stressed-out in 2020? When people are stressed out, they are more likely to suffer work-related illnesses and injuries. Many people were moved to work-from-home without enough planning or preparation. Millions of people in industries deemed “essential” also had to work through the worst of the pandemic in…
I am frequently asked to recommend a piece of equipment to assist with addressing an ergonomics need. I do not mind helping out, but please consider a few things before you ask for help. As I am an independent consultant, and giving out free advice on specific issues does not pay my bills, so before…
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…
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…
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…
Google has said its employees can expect to continue working at home until the end of July 2021. Facebook says it expects 50% (if not more) of its employees to work at home on a long-term basis. Apple plans to hold off returning to its offices until January 2021. Twitter has told its employees they…