The Handstand: An iPad Case… For Your Hand!

The Handstand: An iPad Case… For Your Hand!: "

Do you carry an iPad? Do you need it always stuck to your hand? This is the product for you. This $60 case protects and attaches your iPad to your hand, ensuring you can be “that guy” when people mention iPads. I ran this old girl through her paces and thanks to a very special assistant I discovered that having an iPad stuck to your appendage is not a fun way to live. This patent pending device offers a more ergonomic way to hold your iPad and encourages proper posture, tapping, and Rolfing positions.

Why would someone use this? Probably because they were a doctor or something and needed to make rounds. Otherwise, this is kind of a hindrance to normal existence, especially considering the iPad is strapped down pretty hard to your hand. It’s not uncomfortable by any stretch, but it’s pretty hard to yank off if you need to get at your sidearm or katana.

For $60 this is a pretty pricey single-use item and I wouldn’t recommend it as an “around the home” device. However, if you’re using the iPad for any inordinate length of time on a daily basis, it’s worth a look.

Click through for my hands-on video.

Read more…

"

Robotic Surgery Makes Progress, Causes Controversy

Robotic Surgery Makes Progress, Causes Controversy: "

New evidence shows the da Vinci Surgical System works as well as other techniques against some cancers. Is it enough to sway critics of the device and its marketing team?

A new study shows that robotic-assisted surgery for certain tumors is as effective as other minimally invasive surgical techniques. Researchers at the University of Alabama at Birmingham examined 89 patients' survival rates and ability to function, and published their findings in yesterday's Archives of Otolaryngology--Head & Neck Surgery. "The overall two-year survival rate for these patients was 86.3 percent, which is comparable to the standard treatment," said Alabama's Dr. J. Scott Magnuson in a release.

Evidence like this is much needed if the da Vinci robot used on these patients is to gain ground as a common surgical tool. The da Vinci Surgical System is made by a company called Intuitive Surgical, which has found controversy confronting its work. A New York Times story from February noted that an increase in the device's popularity was not matched by robust data demonstrating the robot's efficacy. 'There is no question there is a lot of marketing hype,' one doctor told the reporter.

The Wall Street Journal followed with a succinct video report of its own, (see below), which summarizes the criticism of the device. The da Vinci system, which costs around $2 million dollars, can actually do more harm than good in the hands of inexperienced surgeons, according to the Journal's sources. And yet the system is often marketed to small regional hospitals as a way to advertise a technological leg-up over the local competition--even though those hospitals' case loads are not large enough to ensure that their surgeons will become expert at the device.

There's little doubt, as these reports show, that the robot may indeed be a great asset in the hands of talented surgeons experienced with the device. But research needs to continue, and patients need to be wary of hype or novelty when it comes to choosing the right technique for them. Medical treatments are--or should be--driven by research, not marketing. Magnuson, for one, says more research is needed. 'This is a relatively new technique, and long-term oncologic outcomes are not available,' he said.

"

Back Support and Blood Pressure

Did you know...


Patients seated in a chair position with their backs supported, feet on the floor, and arms at heart level had "consistently and significantly" lower blood pressure readings than people tested while seated on exam tables.


The Academy of Medical-Surgical Nurses reported these findings based on a study by Melly Turner, RN, of the University of Virginia Health System.

Turner tested male and female clinic patients and found that in those seated in the proper position, systolic pressure readings were 12.5% to 14.2% lower than those who were on exam tables, and diastolic readings were 4.4% to 7.6% lower.

Researchers discovered the majority of healthcare providers were unaware of the chair position recommended in guidelines by the American Heart Association and the Joint Committee on Prevention, Detection, Evaluation, and Treatment of High Blood Pressure, Turner says.

From the Movie Theater to the Operating Theater: 3-D Enters a Patient's Body

From the Movie Theater to the Operating Theater: 3-D Enters a Patient's Body: "

Doctors in the U.K. are taking 3-D imagery to a whole new level, starting today: They're performing the world's first remotely-viewed 3-D operation using keyhole surgery.

The surgery is the latest experiment by the Minimal Access Therapy Training Unit in the University of Surrey, which has been working on 3-D endoscopic techniques throughout this year. Today's operation involves capturing 3-D images from inside the patient, transmitted to the surgeon via endoscope.

Meanwhile a fiber-optic cable will run the images to another room where an audience will look on, wearing similar goggles as you do when you're watching a 3-D movie in the theater. It's the first time this has been done, and it's not for the sake of novelty.

The surgeons are testing two things. Will students benefit from the extra detail available in a 3-D presentation of a surgical technique? Will the surgeons be adversely affected by the need to focus in 3-D for extended periods? The stereo image projection system needed for 3-D may lead to eye fatigue. It requires more effort than looking at a projected non-stereo image alone.

The surgeon's eyes will be monitored with eye-tracking cameras to try to assess fatigue and attention deficit. The data will show whether higher-level brain functions, the critical reasoning needed to make the operation work out well, overrule low-level thoughts about processing images--so the experiment is  pushing back the frontiers of cognitive science, too.

So a patient will have twin cameras, plus surgical tools, inserted into their body; a surgeon will use the 3-D images to perform more precise procedures, students will watch 3-D images to learn about medicine, cameras will watch the surgeons eyes, and scientists will try to work out how his brain works. Beats watching Avatar in 3-D on a Blu-ray disc, doesn't it?

To read more news on this, and similar stuff, keep up with my updates by following me, Kit Eaton, on Twitter.

"

Chip implanted in spinal cord could help sufferers of chronic pain (video)

Chip implanted in spinal cord could help sufferers of chronic pain (video): "

Researchers at Sydney's National ICT Australia (NICTA) have spent the past two years developing an incredibly futuristic invention which could bring relief to those who suffer from chronic pain. What it amounts to is a series of 'smart' chips inserted into biocompatible devices and strung together. These are then sewn into a very small (1.22mm wide) lead made of a polymer yarn and wires, which are then inserted into the spine. The device is them connected to a battery and computer which can measure and gather information about the pain-carrying nerves signalling the brain. The device can also respond by sending 10 volt electrical pulses to block the signals' path to the brain, tricking the brain into thinking there is no pain. There are devices such as this one already in existence, but they are much larger than this new device, and its smaller size increases accuracy as it can be implanted closer to the spine than previous models. The NICTA's device is set to go into human trials next year. Video after the break.

Continue reading Chip implanted in spinal cord could help sufferers of chronic pain (video)

Chip implanted in spinal cord could help sufferers of chronic pain (video) originally appeared on Engadget on Fri, 17 Dec 2010 05:19:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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TabGrip, An Unusual iPad “Case”

TabGrip, An Unusual iPad “Case”: "

While this thing looks for all the world like a late night infomercial product, I don’t see why it shouldn’t work. After all, gripping the iPad isn’t the most natural thing in the world. Resting it on your lap or a table, sure, but holding it up? Forget about it. These meaty grippers might just might make toting your iPad around palatable.

Of course, they’re nowhere as slick as the iPad cases I just rounded up, but hey. The TabGrip exists for a different reason. To make that sucker grippable. Plus: fold-out legs. Always good to have.

At $50, it’s about what the other cases cost. It’s not quite as protective or stylish as they are, but to be honest I can see this thing being pretty useful for the around-the-house iPad.

"

The Porsche Design Bobsled Is Here, Hope You Brought Your Credit Card

The Porsche Design Bobsled Is Here, Hope You Brought Your Credit Card: "

This isn’t Porsche Design’s entrance into the world of sleds. That happened back in 2008 with the $480 aluminum sled that loosk more like something that a crafty dad would make than something from one of the top design firms ever. This time Porsche Design cut the price, and by the look of it, increased both the function and ergonomics. And yes, we’re talking about a sled here: The Porsche Design Bobsled.

Looks a tad familiar, right? Well, the plastic sled design took cues from downhill skies. The runners even have a slight bend for increased steerability. The seat features a concave design with conveniently-placed handles.

Is this sled faster and “more efficient” than the standard Toys-R-Us special? Probably. But the more important question is will this sled provide $225 worth of entertainment when a $25 sled accomplishes the same task of going down a snow-covered hill? Probably not. [Autoblog]

"

The Human Solution Blog

The Human Solution Blog

Skiing and physiotherapy

from The Putney Clinic by The Putney Clinic
by Bhavini Mistry Physiotherapist BSc (Hons), MCSP

Are you planning a ski trip this winter? Whether you're a novice to the slopes or a regular skier, adequate preparation is the key to keeping common injuries to a minimum.

Recent studies of professional skiers found that joint and ligament injuries were amongst the commonest (43%), followed by fractures and bone stress (19%).


The common injuries in skiing:

* Knee injuries – ACL sprain / tears, other ligament sprains
* Lower limb fractures
* Wrist and thumb sprains
* Head injuries
* Upper limb (i.e. collar bone) fractures

Skiing places an extraordinary demand on your body, which you would not naturally exhort in your day-to-day activities. Therefore it is important to start training in advance by spending time on strength and conditioning yourself in the following areas:

* Cardiovascular fitness
* Muscle power
* Balance and proprioception
* Core strengthening
* Flexibility
* Endurance
* Pylometric conditioning

We know injuries are not completely avoidable, but minimizing them can be reduced by seeking professional advice early. A physiotherapy assessment can help you identify areas of weakness, stiffness and potential risks to injury, so come and have prevention screening session before heading to the slopes this season!

With a specific interest in sports injury and rehabilitation; together we can work on Pilates-based core strengthening alongside improving your general well-being!

RH Launches Web Site

RGP Ergo, exclusive distributor of RH Chairs in North America, is pleased to announce the launching of their web site for RH ergonomic seating http://www.rgpergo.com/index.html Said owner, David Solomon, we are really looking forward to working with the ergonomic and human factors community in bringing RH Chairs to the US market.

Ergo Myths

You Can't Fit the Job to Everyone!



Unfortunately, there is a common belief that designing for the full range of the working population is infeasible because it requires expensive engineering design. There are three approaches that can be used to help use design for the full range of the working population:
1.
Design for adjustability
2.
Do not design for the average
3.
Design for extremes

Design for Adjustability
Many engineers question the feasibility of adjustable workstations. The common belief is that workstations need to accommodate 12" of vertical adjustability (e.g. head height difference of a 5' 1" female and 6' 3" male). When you consider that people work with their hands and not with the top of their heads, you realize 12" of adjustability is not necessary. Designing for 4" to 6" of adjustability, the difference in hand working height (elbows bent 90°) of the 95th percentile North American male and the 5th percentile North American female, will accommodate 95 percent of the working population.

Do Not Design for the Average
Who is considered the average person? There isn't one! If you were to offer to buy safety shoes for a classroom of adults, the first question you would ask is, "What is the size of your shoes?" As you record the sizes, you would notice the sample of data would resemble a normal distribution curve. If we purchase only one shoe size (the foot size in the middle of the curve) less than 68% of the people would have comfortable fitting shoes. Those with bigger shoe sizes would not fit into the shoes, and those with smaller shoes would have to stuff them with newspaper. When you design for the average, you limit the majority of the population.

Design for Extremes
The goal of designing for the extremes is to accommodate as much of the population as possible. Size apertures for hand and tool access, tool and part storage locations, clearance and access are all instances in which designing for extremes is the preferred application of ergonomics. Consider the following examples:
•
Hand access – design for the largest male’s hand to accommodate smaller hand sizes
•
Tool and part storage location – design for the smallest female’s horizontal reach to accommodate all reach capabilities
•
Doorway clearance – design for the largest male to accommodate all populations

New safety culture diagnostic tool

from SafetyAtWorkBlog by jonesk99@gmail.com (Kevin Jones)

Scandinavia has been the region of choice for many OHS and industrial relations reforms but now something has come from the other side of the world, New Zealand, which should excite OHS professionals.

The Department of Labour (DoL) has released a “self-help diagnostic tool” to identify safety culture. The DoL Workplace Services Group Manager, Maarten Quivooy, says

“One of the best ways to improve a safety culture is to start measuring it. This tool gives businesses the guidance they need to understand what’s working well and where there is room for improvement…

“It can be used by any industry or business that is motivated to improve its health and safety performance. Ultimately it will help a business make a start diagnosing its culture and, most importantly, planning for change. Building a better safety culture builds a better business.”

The basis of the tool is a short survey which includes 24 simple questions that will generate important discussions individually but could provide a fairly decent indication of a company’s safety culture if the workplace honestly completes it. One early indication of a safety culture is likely to come from the willingness of workers to even participate in the survey.

But this program is not just a “fill and fling” process. DoL provides a very good introduction to coaching which could be a marvellous primer to OHS professionals who have come from an engineering background and are more comfortable with interlocks and cogs than human interaction, but also to those confused paymasters in smaller companies who have had safety “dumped” on them.

Any work on safety culture must be undertaken when a workplace is ready for it. Introducing a safety culture survey while workers continue to be injured or the company has a blasé attitude to OHS may anger the workforce by the survey being perceived as not addressing the more important issues of machine guarding or manual handling. (This has often also been the downfall of many Behaviour-Based Safety attempts)

The DoL User Guide includes a section on getting ready for the survey which clearly states the conditions needed for a receptive workforce:

“Improving safety culture is not an overnight process, nor a silver bullet to all your health and safety problems. It requires sustained commitment and action across a number of parts of your workplace.

How ready your workplace is relates to:

* the state of your health and safety systems
* the condition of your tools, plant and protective equipment
* how open the business is to making changes
* a workplace’s capacity to resource actions (i.e. time, people and money)

If these fundamentals need improvement, you are best to focus on these before tackling safety culture. That doesn’t mean your health and safety approach needs to be perfect before you can focus on your safety culture, but it is worth thinking about where the most pressing areas of improvement are from the outset.”

The NZ DoL should be applauded for helping companies who already know there is “something wrong” with their culture but do not know how to begin. This survey and guide is a terrific start.

Shoulder and Neck Pain

Ergonomic Resources
Ergonomic Tips to Help You Work Better
Tips to Relieve Neck & Shoulder Pain

Shoulder & Neck Aches at Work

Shoulder and neck pain is a common problem for office workers, especially those who sit in front of a computer most of the day. Muscle tension and general aches and pains are not only painful but also a frustrating cause of loss of productivity, whether we miss work or just aren’t as efficient. Try these tips to find pain relief and to prevent future pain.

* Sit (or stand) up straight: The most common cause of pain in the work place is poor posture from slouching, raising our shoulders, or simply contorting our bodies into strange positions without being aware of the strain we are placing on our muscles. In contrast, good posture prevents and relieves pain in your shoulders, neck, and back. Start by adjusting your chair to fit your own body. Your feet should rest firmly on the floor and the armrests should by low enough to allow free arm movement from the elbow. Lower the back rest to fit the curve of your back, and make sure that your lower back is properly supported. Additional lumbar support can be added easily if you need more support. Additionally, many workers are starting to see the advantages of an adjustable height ergonomic desk that they can adjust to meet their needs.
* Take a Break to Stretch: Create a new habit of taking a short break at least once an hour. It doesn’t have to be long, just a minute or two to walk around. It’s important to stretch your shoulders, neck, and back regularly throughout your day.
* Move Your Keyboard: Your arms and shoulders should be completely relaxed while you are typing or using your mouse. If you keyboard is too high, or too low, you tend to tighten those muscles, creating tension and soreness. For pain-free typing, use an adjustable keyboard tray to place your keyboard about two inches above your lap, slightly below your relaxed elbow height. You may also find significant improvement in muscle tension by using an ergonomically designed mini keyboard or a split keyboard.
* Adjust Your Computer Screen: Your monitor should be centered directly in front of you, about 15 to 25 inches away, and sit at eye-level. Looking down or up, turning to the side or leaning forward to look at your screen will strain your neck muscles. Monitor shelves are easy to install and quickly provide additional height.

Neck and shoulder pain can lower your productivity and create additional stress in the work place. These tips can bring relief to your current discomfort, and restore good posture to prevent additional pain. Taking frequent breaks and adjusting your work station can bring quick relief, and maintaining healthy posture can protect you from further damage.

History of the Office Chair-Who knew?

One the earliest known innovators to have created the modern office chair was naturalist Charles Darwin, who put wheels on the chair in his study so he could get to his specimens more quickly.

With the advent of rail transport in the mid-19th century, businesses began to expand beyond the traditional model of a family business with little emphasis on administration. Additional administrative staff was required to keep up with orders, bookkeeping, and correspondence as businesses expanded their service areas. While office work was expanding, an awareness of office environments, technology, and equipment became part of the cultural focus on increasing productivity. This awareness gave rise to chairs designed specifically for these new administrative employees: office chairs. This caught the attention of Otto von Bismarck, who is credited with popularizing the office chair by distributing them throughout parliament during his time in office.

The office chair was strategically designed to increase the productivity of clerical employees by making it possible for them to remain sitting at their desks for long periods of time. A swiveling chair with casters allowed employees to remain sitting and yet reach a number of locations within their work area, eliminating the time and energy expended in standing. The wooden saddle seat was designed to fit and support the body of a sitting employee, and the slatted back and armrests provided additional support to increase the employee’s comfort. Like modern chairs, many of these models were somewhat adjustable to provide the maximum comfort and thus the maximum working time.


In the 1970s, ergonomics became an important design consideration. Today, office chairs often have adjustable seats, armrests, backs, back supports, and heights to prevent repetitive stress injury and back pain associated with sitting for long periods. Ergonomic chairs fit an individual's needs and provide support where the individual needs it. New concepts of office chairs include a seat oscillating forwards and sideways and an oscillating seat back to allow the body to move as much as possible during sitting.

Computer Vision Syndrome (CVS) Causes, Symptoms, and Prevention Tuesday, September 07, 2010 By Anne Kramer

We all know that working in front of a computer for extended periods of time without taking a break can be hazardous to your health. Most commonly, uninterrupted computer work is associated with neck strain, carpal tunnel, and back problems. Anyone who has worked 8 hours in front of a screen can tell you these aren’t the only maladies that can come from office work; no, they’re likely to tell you about the discomfort in their eyes as well.

While there are a few medical problems that can arise from focusing on a computer screen for too long, the one which encapsulates most of their symptoms, and incidentally the one which arises the most often is Computer Vision Syndrome (CVS). Simply put, CVS is the condition that results from focusing one’s eyes on a computer screen for protracted, uninterrupted periods of time.

Allowing CVS to go untreated can result in permanent damage to the eyes. This is why we at AskErgoWorks.com wanted to publish an article that would help familiarize our readers with the causes, symptoms, and prevention of Computer Vision Syndrome. The sooner you can recognize a potentially vision-threatening problem, the sooner you are able to address it.
Causes of Computer Vision Syndrome

* Low Contrast: This is not a new concept for most people. The pixilated nature of the objects on a computer screen engenders low contrast. This is especially true of text on computer screen. Studying objects of low contrast causes eye strain, which can lead to CVS.
* Prolonged Use: Most people work 8-9 hour days. Even if you take a 1 hour lunch break, this still leaves 3.5-4 hour periods during which you are staring at a computer screen. Extended viewing of a computer screen (over 2 hours), especially at a constant depth of field, is the primary cause of CVS.
* Reduced Eye Movement: During activities in which they are not focused on a computer screen, the average person blinks about 16 times per minute. While looking at a computer screen however, this drops to 6 times per minute. In addition, they eye moves through a lesser range of motion when concentrating on a screen. This reduction in eye movement serves to dehydrate the eye, which can, among other things, lead to CVS.
* Backlit Screens: Computer screens are “backlit”, meaning the light that illuminates the screen shines directly into your eyes. Most every other source of light we incur is first reflected off an object, entering our eyes at a lower amplitude. Staring at direct sources of light is hazardous, and can lead to CVS.

Symptoms of Computer Vision Syndrome

While the symptoms of CVS can vary, the most commonly observed indications include: eyestrain, dry or burning eyes, blurred vision, headaches, and double-vision.

*This list is not exhaustive, and NOT intended to diagnose any disorder. If you suspect you have CVS, see your doctor.*
Prevention of Computer Vision System

For as serious as some of the effects of CVS can be, prevention of the condition is surprisingly easy. If you work in front of a computer screen on a daily basis, take these simple steps to avoid CVS and other eye-related problems.

* Take a Break: Staring at a screen for an extended period of time is the leading cause of CVS. If you must work an entire day in front of the computer, make sure you take at least a 5 minute break every hour, and allow your eyes to relax. Looking out the window works great here.
* Increase the Contrast: Modern computers have display adjustments either on the screen, in the “control panel” of the operating system, or both. Using these controls to increase the contrast of your computer monitor can make looking at the screen much easier on your eyes.
* Blink: Making a conscious effort to blink more often while working at the computer will build a healthy habit sure to make your workday more comfortable. As you begin this exercise, use eye drops to help keep your eyes hydrated.

CVS can turn your otherwise enjoyable job into a nightmare. If you spend most of your workday in front of a computer, remember these helpful tips to recognize the symptoms of Computer Vision Syndrome, and prevent its onset.

EDMONTON - Got forward head posture? Take the test.

Stand or sit with shoulders back and down, then turn your head until your nose sits over the middle of your shoulder. Can't do it? How about this one?

Stand straight with shoulders squared and eyes level, then ask your better half, one of the kids or a colleague to tell you if your ear is centred over the shoulder. If it isn't, you likely have forward head posture, another symptom of too many hours spent hunched forward, necks extended, in front of or over an electronic screen.

This was a common enough problem with TVs, computers, cell-phones, iPods and hand-held gaming devices around. But the advent of the smartphone has made it worse, says chiropractor Manjit Gauba (drgauba. com).

Gauba says many people now spend most of their waking hours in a forward head posture.

Adults in sedentary jobs who sit more than four to six hours a day typically have this problem, Gauba says, although in his practice, he's seeing patients as young as 12 with forward head posture.

Many people haven't heard of it and most usually don't even know they have it. But then one day someone will point it out to them, and suddenly they notice people walking around everywhere with heads bent forward, Gauba says.

"Most people don't know what good posture feels like because they've become used to the slouching posture they have," he explains.

It could be the cause of the headaches, neck pain and upper back tension you've been experiencing.

"Every inch that your head is misaligned forward puts an extra 10 to 20 pounds of stress on your neck and upper back to keep your chin up," he explains.

In severe cases, the posture can also affect breathing, decreasing respiratory capacity by as much as 30 per cent, according to one study. Other studies have linked it to poor mood, depression and decreased brain power.

When using devices that naturally cause shoulders to round forward and heads to extend, people need to be aware of their posture and try to correct it, says Gauba. For example, hold your smartphone higher when texting or browsing the net to reduce the degree to which your head is pitched forward.

Choosing to do nothing could eventually result in your spine remodelling itself permanently into head-forward posture, Gauba says.

The first thing he tells his patients is to start walking more -- outdoors or on a treadmill -- to get them up on their feet and away from a screen.

"I also actually suggest a media fast, tuning out the media for four to six weeks. You don't have to know everything, every minute," Gauba says.

Time away from screens allows muscles to loosen up so you can stand straighter. He then recommends strengthening and stretching exercises to maintain your newly straightened posture.

Sleeping on your back rather than on your side will also help properly align the spine, Gauba adds.

Following his advice, people usually see improvements in their posture within four to six weeks.

Here are three stretches and exercises Gauba recommends desk jockeys stand up to do every hour:

Air rowing

Stand straight with head up, shoulders back and down. Extend arms with elbows bent 90 degrees. Take a deep breath and slowly try to extend elbows back as far as possible, bringing shoulder blades together, keeping arms level with the floor. Hold for three to five seconds. Relax. Repeat three to five times.

Chin glides

Stand straight with shoulders back and down. Look straight ahead, keeping head and chin level. Place two fingers against the chin and gently push straight back as far as you can without feeling any pain. Hold three to five seconds and release. Repeat 10 times.

Elbow press behind the back

Clasp hands behind back. Take a deep breath and squeeze elbows together for 10 to 15 seconds. Relax. Repeat until you reach your flexibility limit.


Read more: http://www.edmontonjournal.com/technology/Posture+casualty+technology/3583824/story.html#ixzz13UYXNYuL

Ergonomic Office Chairs Improves Productivity

Your legs are cramped, your neck hurts and your arms are tingling. Why? The answer lies in your office chair. No doubt you are spending long hours in front of your computer screen, furiously typing, never taking a break. All of this, coupled with your badly designed chair, is heading you straight for a work-related injury. Your body will definitely appreciate ergonomically-designed RH Office Chairs.

What Is Ergonomics?

The American Heritage Dictionary says that ergonomics consists of the designing furniture that reduces fatigue, the chance of injury and pain. It is a way of arranging the office furniture that makes it easy for us to do our jobs.

Choosing An Office Chair

An ergonomic office chair is one of the most important pieces of furniture in the work station set-up. When selecting an ergonomic chair, the seat must be comfortable and fit your shape and size. It should not be too long, preventing you from bending your knees fully. The seat height should be adjustable to a height that allows you to keep your feet on the floor. The lower back support should be comfortable, the back rest should provide good support and if you need a chair with wheels, it should have a five-pedestal base. Arm rests should be cushioned, contoured, comfortable and preferably adjustable.


Stop And Stretch

In addition to having an ergonomic office chair, it is very important to take periodic breaks to give your body a chance to get up and move around. Stretch your arms and legs, exercise your hands by squeezing a ball, move your eyes up, down, and side to side. All of these exercises should be done every 30-60 minutes.

Prevent Injury

Ergonomic office chairs are essential for anyone that spends a great deal of time sitting at a desk or using a computer. Worker productivity will improve, injuries may be prevented and people will be able to work without pain.

When you are furnishing your office, a chair is an important piece of furniture. Take advantage of the many styles and designs from RH to make your job of hunting for a chair simple.

No to Drugs - Pain Relief Tips in a Techie World

Mor tips on being comfortable while typing ...

Have you heard of Repetitive Strain Injuries or RSI? If you have experienced wrist pain, shoulder pain, neck pain or back pain due to repetitive tasks, more likely you had an episode of RSI.

Carpal Tunnel Syndrome, a repetitive strain injury among techies has become a byword for wrist pain or numbness of the hand. Repetitive tasks using keyboard and mouse that are not ergonomically designed to support the wrist or hand can damage the median nerve that connects the hand to the forearm. This is often accompanied by pain.

How can this be prevented? What can deliver permanent stress relief? Here are some tips:

1. Go Ergonomics!

Choose an Ergonomic Chair, Keyboard, Mouse and other Ergonomic Accessories.

Repetitive Strain Injuries are common among those who perform repetitive tasks using equipments that are not designed for such tasks, such as ordinary keyboards that do not cushion wrists or hands for long hours of work, including office desks and chairs that do not provide adequate lumbar support.

2. Maintain a Peaceful Work Environment.

Your work environment can affect your performance as well. Non-conducive work environment, such as noisy or cramped work spaces can trigger stress. Long exposure to this type of environment and office equipments that are not ergonomically-designed to fit the worker to his work produce strain on both body and mind, which over a period of time manifests into aches or pain that the worker may not easily comprehend. Left undiagnosed, RSI can cause downtimes and in an economy too volatile, no employee can afford to lose a job and employers would find it more expensive to train a new one.

3. Go Ergonomics (all the way!).

The science of Ergonomics introduces the importance of "fitting the tool to the worker."

There are many resources online that support the importance of providing employees with ergonomically-designed office equipments. Most employers who have read about ergonomics and what it can do to prevent RSI realized that cutting corners to beat the economic crisis should be done somewhere else and not on office tools that can prevent repetitive strain injuries.

It would prove mutually beneficial for both employers and their employees to use ergonomic office equipments rather than utilize those that may be cheaper at the onset, but would later prove more expensive due to lost hours on the job. Optimum performance at work can be achieved by eliminating pain and injuries that emanate from one-size-fits-all office equipments.

Are you experiencing pain on your wrist or neck? If yes, you could be suffering from carpal tunnel syndrome, which is classified as a repetitive strain injury. Do something about it. Seek medical attention first as there can be underlying causes that should be managed clinically. However, when symptoms recur, try to look into the realm of ergonomics. The result might just surprise you!"

Keyboard Trays and Ergonomics

The keyboard is the main interface between you and your computer. It is also the cause of most repetitive stress injuries resulting from computer use. Having the right ergonomic features in a keyboard tray is essential to your health and well being at a computer work station. A good keyboard tray can make a world of difference. A bad one can be worse than none at all.

Adjustable Height

The most important feature is the ability to adjust the height. Keyboard height is determined by your chair height (if sitting) and arm length. Being able to fine tune that and adjust it as you adjust your sitting position throughout the day is essential.





Keyboard Tilt

The keyboard needs to be held at a comfortable, negative angle that supports the natural wrist position. Typically this angle does not need to be changed often. Keyboard tilt does not need to be adjusted during subtle posture changes as the angle of your arms should remain relatively constant.

However, if your posture changes more dramatically during the day - say, from a slight forward tilt to a recline - then your keyboard tray should be easy to tilt.



Mouse House

The mouse should be placed next to and on the same level as the keyboard. Ideally it should be placed along the circular arc your lower arm makes when rotating from the keyboard to the side.

The keyboard tray should be able to accommodate the largest keyboard you are likely to use and the mouse on both the left and right side. There may come a time when mouse ambidexterity is needed.


The Rest Stop
Wrist / Palm rests are helpful during periods where your hands are inactive. There should be room for these as well if they are not already built in.


Slip & Slide
The ability to slide the keyboard tray in and out while still at operational height will allow you to scoot closer to or farther from the monitor to relieve eye strain while still maintaining an ergonomically sound setup.
Stability
Your keyboard tray should be rock solid. You do not want it to wobble or deflect when in use. A wobbly tray can be worse than just using the desktop or even your lap.

Simple trays mounted with drawer runners on both sides are stable but lack a number of these ergonomic benefits.

Adjustable mechanisms are typically center mounted and are more prone to deflection. Typically the cheaper the keyboard tray the worse the wobble.

Workplace Wellness

Working at a computer work station all day can take a toll on the body. Repetitive activities and lack of mobility can contribute to aches, pains, and eventual injuries.

Sitting at a desk while using the keyboard for hours on a day to day basis can result in poor circulation to joints and muscles, it can also create an imbalance in strength and flexibility of certain muscles, and muscle strain. These issues can be easily remedied by taking frequent short breaks, or “micro breaks,” throughout your day.

* Get out of your chair several times a day and move around—even for 30 seconds
* Roll your shoulders backwards
* Turn your head side to side
* Stretch out your forearms and your legs

Additionally, specific guidelines for your work station can help maximize your comfort and safety.

Your chair should have the following:

* Wheels (5 for better mobility)
* The ability to twist freely on its base
* Adjustable height
* Adjustable arm rests that will allow you to sit close to your desk
* Lumbar support
* Seat base that adjusts to a comfortable angle and allows you to sit up straight

The position of the keyboard is critical:

* The keyboard should be at a height that allows you to have your forearms slightly below a horizontal line—or your elbows at slightly more than a 90 degree angle.
* You should be able to slide your knees under the keyboard tray or desk.
* Avoid reaching for the keyboard by extending your arms or raising your shoulders.
* Try to avoid having the keyboard on top of your desk. That is too high for almost everyone—-unless you can raise your seat. The elbow angle is the best test of keyboard position.

The position of your computer monitor is important:

* The monitor should be directly in front of you.
* The top of the monitor should be at your eye level, and at a distance where you can see it clearly without squinting, or leaning forward or backward.
* If you need glasses for reading, you may need to have a special pair for use at your computer to avoid tipping your head backward to see through bi-focals or other types of reading glasses.

How can a physical therapist help?

Many physical therapists are experts at modifying work stations to increase efficiency and prevent or relieve pain. Additionally, if you are experiencing pain that isn’t relieved by modifications to your work station, you should see a physical therapist who can help develop a treatment plan to relieve your pain and improve your mobility.

The High Cost of Ignoring Ergonomic Work Practices The economic bennefits of ergonomics ...

"As any company manager knows, it is important to weigh the costs of implementing new work programs with the expected long-term financial gains. Items labeled as being ergonomic can put a large dent into budgets. The business of ergonomics has become big business. A fully adjustable ergonomic chair alone can cost hundreds, if not thousands of dollars. Then there is the fear that if one work station is altered, every work station will need to be similarly altered. Or that by bringing up the topic of ergonomics, employees will be made aware of the potential for injuries and start making claims. It is not surprising that many companies do not look towards ergonomic solutions as a means of controlling costs.

On the other hand, not addressing ergonomic issues can be quite costly as well. According to the U.S. Department of Labor, the direct and indirect costs of musculoskeletal injuries can total as much as $20 billion dollars a year. A survey conducted by Liberty Mutual in August of 2001 revealed that 95% of respondents felt that workplace safety had a positive impact on a company's financial performance; 86% felt that workplace safety provided a return on investment; and 61% felt that $3 or more is saved for each $1 invested in workplace safety.

So, we know that ergonomic solutions can decrease the incidence and cost of injuries and enhance employee satisfaction. We can further maximize ergonomic investment by looking for no-to-low cost solutions. Here are a few basic ergonomic freebies to get you started.

Some solutions can be as simple as rearranging a work space, moving the work area higher or lower or closer, placing tools within easy reach, and keeping the working space directly in front of our bodies. Avoid excessive reach. Place most frequently used items within an easy reach envelope. Position furniture and work equipment to promote healthy posture.

The more repetitive your job tasks, the more you are at risk. Rotate tasks often. Get up and get moving: get a drink of water, make a phone call; take a walk to the copy or fax machine; walk down the hall to discuss an item with a co-worker rather than using email.

Ensure that tools are in good working order. If using sharp tools, make sure the blades are sharpened to reduce the exertion needed during use. Do not disengage any safety features."

Obama seeking ways to curb repetitive motion injuries from Ergonomics In The News by Usernomics

Getting back to a federal ergonomics program ...

"There once were job safety rules that helped keep down the number of ergonomic injuries. They were killed by President Bush and a GOP-run Congress.

Ergonomic injuries, also called musculo-skeletal and repetitive-motion injuries are by far the most common injuries workers get when they go to work. Hundreds of thousands of these injuries happen annually, costing millions of lost workdays.

Exact figures are no longer available because the Bush administration, after trashing the ergonomics rules, trashed separate rules requiring companies to report the number of such ailments.

Examples of ergonomic injuries include the back injuries health care workers suffer after they lift and turn patients, without benefit of mechanical assistance, and carpal tunnel syndrome, a condition of nerve degeneration requiring arm or hand surgery. Carpal tunnel affects categories of workers ranging from typists to meat cutters.

Recently, President Obama recruited Jordan Barab, a long-time occupational safety and health specialist and activist, for the position of acting director of the Occupational Safety and Health Administration. Barab spoke about ergonomics at a May 5 legislative conference of union nurses in Washington D.C. He assured them that the Obama administration is committed to bringing back regulation in this area.

During the last year of the Clinton administration, after 10 years of lobbying by the labor movement and hard work by people inside and outside the Clinton White House, the Department of Labor issued a rule designed to reduce ergonomic injuries. The very first bill that Bush signed into law, after he was installed in the White House by the Supreme Court, was a law that repealed all the ergonomic injury rules.

“I remember the rules very well,” Barab, who worked in Clinton’s Department of Labor, told the nurses. “I remember nurses testifying, in tears, about ergonomic back injuries that cost them the careers they loved.

“We either have to get the repeal repealed, or go sector by sector to create new ergonomic rules,” he told the nurses. A third alternative, Barab added, “is to sit down with everyone,” including unions and business “to see what will work in the workplace and politically, to get around the repeal law."

RH Receives Furniture Industry Research Association Award

Leading ergonomic seating designer and manufacturer RH Chairs has won the award for Ergonomics Excellence, presented by FIRA - the Furniture Industry Research Association – for an unprecedented tenth consecutive time.

RH becomes the first company in the world to reach this remarkable goal. FIRA’s judging panel were particularly impressed by RH’s ongoing commitment to ergonomic design across the firm’s entire range of task, reception and meeting room chairs.

The Future of Psychology Practice and Science

The Future of Psychology Practice and Science

A helping hand for older workers Author: Joanne Crawford

The Institute of Ergonomics & Human Factors has welcomed the Government proposal to stop forcing people to retire at the age of 65, from October 2011.

To enable older workers to function effectively, it's vital to understand how they work, both physiologically and psychologically. Although we change as we age, these can be improved by increased physical and mental activity and improving lifestyle factors such as reducing obesity and stopping smoking. Ergonomics can help older workers stay at work by improving workplace and environmental design, job design, task design and minimising the physical and mental risks to older workers. By ensuring that work is designed to fit the employee and their physical and mental capabilities, age should not be a barrier to continued working.

In an evidence review* carried out by ergonomists, it was identified that older people can be more accurate and have increased accumulated knowledge and experience to draw on. Although reaction time may slow slightly this is unlikely to impact on general working life. Age-related physiological change can be more significant but workplace design can support continued working by putting additional support mechanisms in place. Work and work equipment can also be designed to reduce the need for extreme physical exertion. Any risk to individuals from heavy lifting should be reduced by the manual handling legislation applicable all employees.

Ergonomists have a large role to play in this area in relation to both physical and mental workload. Ergonomics is key in developing good workplace design, environmental design and work organisation. The issue of maintaining a healthy older workforce is also related to other fields including public health, occupational health, rehabilitation, safety, social policy and occupational and health psychology. By working together we can hopefully achieve a safe and healthy environment for those 65 and over.

IEHF Registered Member Joanne Crawford has set up a Special Interest Group on Ageing and Work to highlight the role of ergonomics in this area and to bring interested parties together from within the ergonomics community and outside. More information about this group will be available soon.

*The health, safety and health promotion needs of older workers, report submitted by the Institute of Occupational Medicine to the IOSH Research Committee in 2009.

Phys Ed: The Men Who Stare at Screens By GRETCHEN REYNOLDS

In 1982, researchers affiliated with the Cooper Institute in Dallas surveyed a large group of well-educated, affluent men. The researchers were interested in the men’s exercise habits, but they also asked, almost incidentally, about their indolence. Specifically, they inquired about how many hours each day the men spent watching television or sitting in a car. (This was before you could do both at once.) Over the years, the survey’s main results were used to reinforce a growing body of science about the health benefits of regular exercise.
Phys Ed

But the information about the amount of time the men spent being inactive remained largely unexplored. Recently, however, scientists from the University of South Carolina and the Pennington Biomedical Research Center in Baton Rouge, La., parsed the full data. In a study published in May in the journal Medicine and Science in Sports and Exercise, they reported that, to no one’s surprise, the men who sat the most had the greatest risk of heart problems. Men who spent more than 23 hours a week watching TV and sitting in their cars (as passengers or as drivers) had a 64 percent greater chance of dying from heart disease than those who sat for 11 hours a week or less. What was unexpected was that many of the men who sat long hours and developed heart problems also exercised. Quite a few of them said they did so regularly and led active lifestyles. The men worked out, then sat in cars and in front of televisions for hours, and their risk of heart disease soared, despite the exercise. Their workouts did not counteract the ill effects of sitting.

Most of us have heard that sitting is unhealthy. But many of us also have discounted the warnings, since we spend our lunch hours conscientiously visiting the gym. We consider ourselves sufficiently active. But then we drive back to the office, settle at our desks and sit for the rest of the day. We are, in a phrase adopted by physiologists, ‘‘active couch potatoes.’’
Related

The amount of time that most Americans spend being inactive has risen steadily in recent decades. A 2009 editorial in the British Journal of Sports Medicine reported that, on average, adults spend more than nine hours a day in oxymoronic ‘‘sedentary activities.’’ For studies like these, scientists categorize activities by the number of METs they demand. A MET, or metabolic equivalent of task, is a measure of energy, with one MET being the amount of energy you burn lying down for one minute. Sedentary behaviors demand one to one and a half METs, or very little exertion.

Decades ago, before the advent of computers, plasma TVs and Roombas, people spent more time completing ‘‘light-intensity activities,’’ which require between one and a half and three METs. Most ‘‘home activities,’’ like mopping, cooking and changing light bulbs, demand between two and three METs. (One exception is ‘‘butchering animals,’’ a six-MET activity, according to a bogglingly comprehensive compilation from 2000 of the METs associated with different activities.) Nowadays, few of us accumulate much light-intensity activity. We’ve replaced those hours with sitting.

The physiological consequences are only slowly being untangled. In a number of recent animal studies, when rats or mice were not allowed to amble normally around in their cages, they rapidly developed unhealthy cellular changes in their muscles. The animals showed signs of insulin resistance and had higher levels of fatty acids in their blood. Scientists believe the changes are caused by a lack of muscular contractions. If you sit for long hours, you experience no ‘‘isometric contraction of the antigravity (postural) muscles,’’ according to an overview of the consequences of inactivity published this month in Exercise and Sports Sciences Reviews. Your muscles, unused for hours at a time, change in subtle fashion, and as a result, your risk for heart disease, diabetes and other diseases can rise.

Regular workout sessions do not appear to fully undo the effects of prolonged sitting. ‘‘There seem to be different pathways’’ involved in the beneficial physiological effects of exercising and the deleterious impacts of sitting, says Tatiana Warren, a graduate student in exercise science at the University of South Carolina and the lead author of the study of men who sat too much. ‘‘One does not undo the other,’’ she says.

You can, however, ameliorate the dangers of inactivity with several easy steps — actual steps. ‘‘Look for ways to decrease physical inactivity,’’ Ms. Warren says, beyond 30-minute bouts of jogging or structured exercise. Stand up. Pace around your office. Get off the couch and grab a mop or change a light bulb the next time you watch ‘‘Dancing With the Stars.’’

DeXigner Press Release

RH Form's latest innovation, the Ambio series, marks the forward-thinking company's first venture into applying their renowned skills in seating design to environments such as lounges, meeting areas and conference environments, creating a "family" of chairs that combines consistency of style with functionality throughout the range.

Developed in conjunction with Zenit Design Group, Ambio combines function with fashion in four different versions, including work chairs that perfectly combine RH's trademarks of style and flexibility as well as incorporating entirely new design properties.

These include the use of "Ventec", a material developed in conjunction with RH that incorporates a certain amount of horsehair to provide unparalleled levels of ventilation to the chair's back and seat - up to 23 percent better than conventional chairs - almost literally resulting in a "chair that breathes".
This, coupled with a new 100 percent wool fabric developed by the company, results in highly efficient removal of moisture and heat from the chair - again, as much as 15 percent more than other chairs. The Ambio series is also entirely recyclable, in keeping with RH's reputation for conscientious and sustainable product design.

Functional and environmentally-conscious design doesn't mean minimal though, as Ambio boasts an unrivalled range of individual features and accessories including a coat hanger, removable soft case and a lockable compartment, all of which have been developed to expand the range of the chairs' use, in accordance with the expanding nature of work patterns today.

Ergonomic Excellence Award Goes to RH

Release type: News

RH Chairs, one of Europe’s leading manufacturers of ergonomic seating, is celebrating ten years of ergonomic excellence, having held the Ergonomics Excellence Award since its inception ten years ago – the only company to do so. The company has a history steeped in ergonomics, and with this emphasis it also needed independent certification to verify the high level of ergonomic standards met in the design and manufacture of its chairs.

FIRA's Ergonomic Excellence Award helps the company demonstrate the high standards adhered to in all commercial areas including manufacturing and the environment. RH Chairs uses the Ergonomics Excellence logo on headed paper and marketing materials, and also on certification documentation for tenders where relevant. Although it is not a required certificate for specifiers at the moment, the company uses the certificate to differentiate itself from competitors.

"Obtaining the FIRA Ergonomic Excellence Award has been of major benefit to RH Chairs over the years,” said Jorgen Josefsson, managing director of RH Chairs. “Having an independent third party assess and verify the ergonomic quality of our products means we rarely have to convince customers of our quality. It also benefits us in tendering processes where having such an accolade is not only looked upon favourable but sometimes is a requirement." FIRA has recently refreshed and relaunched the Ergonomics Excellence Award and we will be adopting the new logo in the near future.

RH-Thinking Forward

To say that RH Chairs exemplifies contemporary thinking on a wide range of issues would be a bit of an understatement. RH has built its unrivaled reputation by adhering to strict principles on both the environment and how design impacts on the performance of individuals, organizations and society. But then you would expect nothing less from a firm born in a country that is a byword for progressive thinking in these areas.

RH was founded in 1977 in Sweden’s Småland County by Rolf Holstensson. Rolf’s own experience of the negative effects of sedentary work led him to develop the business’s core concept with the help of a team or the world’s most renowned ergonomists. The aim was to design a chair that would facilitate an upright posture, be easy to adjust and give optimal support while simultaneously encouraging movement. Those core ideals were ahead of their time 30 years ago and are now strikingly contemporary. The firm’s commitment to them over the years has meant RH has always maintained its role at the forefront of chair design. Little wonder that RH is the only chair designer to have won 10 consecutive FIRA Ergonomics Excellence Awards.

Similarly, RH has always been one of the world’s foremost innovators in the way it minimizes its impact on the environment. This approach extends throughout every aspect of the organization and its products, from the use of materials to production processes, logistics to energy consumption. Little wonder that RH is one of the first companies in its field to achieve certification in accordance with the Environmental Product Declaration (EPD) system, a global standard aimed at meeting the demand from customers for better information and more sophisticated environmental standards.

RH Performance Study

Sitting is probably the most common working posture in today’s industrialised world. So much so that we tend to take it for granted. Yet surely it must be possible to get more out of this simple everyday action!

Researchers now agree on the importance of varied posture or “active sitting” in the workplace to reduce fatigue and help prevent damaging musculoskeletal disorders. Despite this, work-related injuries, such as back, neck and shoulder complaints, sadly remain very common.

While RH Chairs already has a strong and well deserved reputation for helping people overcome their workrelated ailments, we wanted to go further. We already know that our chairs can help alleviate aches and pains but, at the other end of the spectrum, could sitting in one of our high-performance chairs actually increase work performance while seated?

RH has pioneered research to further highlight the relationship between the work environment, personnel performance and reduced absenteeism. To understand the link between our chairs and enhanced user performance, we continue to conduct what we call “RH Performance Studies”.

RH Performance Study

http://np.netpublicator.com/np/n40199009/RH_Performance_Study_UK_low.pdf

Press Release

RH Chairs, distributed in the United States by RGP Ergo of Bristol, Rhode Island, is now one of the first companies in its field to achieve certification in accordance with the Environmental Product Declaration (EPD) system. EPD is a global system aimed at meeting the growing demand from customers for better environmental information along with more and more sophisticated and stringent green certifications.

The International EPD system was launched in 2008 as a revision of other EPD systems that had been in place for almost a decade across a large number of countries. RH has moved quickly to gain the environmental certification, a testament to the already outstanding environmental standards of the firm.

RH were granted the certification following extensive independent verification by a third party verifier focusing on published research and data, plus other factors such as resource use, global warming potential and generation of waste. The verification is done according to ISO 14025. The EPD system aims to provide buyers with easily accessible, factual, comparable and verifiable information about the environmental performance of products and services.
The EPD certification has been achieved across all of RH’s core products including the RH Ambio, RH Extend and RH Logic 400, which are the first office chairs to receive pre-certification according to the International EPD System.

– It has been important for us to move quickly. The new EPD aims to make it easy for buyers to understand the real environmental impact of their procurement decisions and we welcome the sophistication of the EPD system in meeting this objective. We were able to move so quickly to achieve EPD certification because we have always taken a sophisticated approach to environmental issues in both the design and manufacture of our products and indeed in every aspect of our operations. Our progressive approach in going way beyond what is the minimum required of us has not only helped us to flourish as a business, but means we are the best placed firm of our kind to meet new standards and certifications as they develop, says Jorgen Josefsson, RH Chairs spokesperson.

– An EPD is based on a Life Cycle Assessment from cradle to grave and maps all relevant environmental aspects from a life-cycle perspective. What this provides us with is reliable and up to date knowledge which can be used in many ways to sharpen our competitive edge. For example, it can provide input to our eco-design, product development work and supply-chain. EPDs can also be a useful tool in green purchasing because they include all sorts of information including content of hazardous substances, information about disassembly and recycling of used products, says Christina Nordin, Vice President Quality, and Scandinavian Business Seating & Environmental Manager RH.


- Responsible consumption can be encouraged by good design , says co-owner ofRH distributor RGP Ergo, Dave Solomon; RH products last longer because of good design and quality manufacture. Our chairs are manufactured to easily change upholstery or padding, and no glue is used in the process. Buying an RH chair will save you money in the long-run, and ultimately be better environmentally.

National Ergonomics Convention

RH Chairs will be attending the National Ergo Conference in Las Vegas December 1, 2 & 3.  Look for us in Booth 440. 


http://www.ergoexpo.com/