Ergo4Me

            It seems to be the season of awards in every industry.  From Hollywood to education to ergonomics, awards are abounding.  It is at the beginning of each year that we reflect upon the years past and determine who has excelled the most or done the best job during that time.  Therefore, we are bombarded with nomination request and reviews all at once.  However, in the end an award awaits all hard works.

            This is most definitely true for the iF Awards given out between the months of February and March.  The iF Awards stands for International Forum Awards.  These awards are prestigious among international designers of many different but innovative products.  In fact over 2808 designers from thirty-nine countries were entered in the design category this year alone.  This is one category of sixteen!

            The 2808 entries were judged by an international panel of experts in their fields.  These judges reviewed and analyzed the products on the basis of several features including “workmanship, innovation, environmental compatibility, ergonomics, choice of material, design appeal and functionality.”  In the category of design the judges award 802 products!

            However, that is not the most prestigious award given by the International Forum of Designers.  They just announced the fifty iF Gold Awards.  To read more about the recipients go the following website:  http://www.ifdesign.de/awards_projects_index_e.  There you can read about the iF Award recipients in all categories and find out what is needed for you to be a nominee for the 2010 iF Awards. 

            This year on of the award winners in the design category was Epson.  Epson received seven iF Design Awards!  These awards were given to Epson’s Artisan 800, Artisan 700, WorkForce 600, WorkForce 40, and the Stylus Pro GS6000 printers.  It is awards like this that can really entice consumers to rely on these products for value and quality.  Now that the award season is coming to a close, we will await with anticipation for next year’s newest innovations.  The iF Award for 2010 starts in May!

                To sit or to stand, that is the question of today’s story.  What is better for the worker?  Of course, this is different for everyone and it varies by job description.  It seems that in many jobs concerning the functions of business people are usually behind a computer/desk and sitting in a chair.  On the other hand, there are also those who hold a manufacturing job and are continuously on their feet.  It seems to always have worked, or has it? 

In reality it hasn’t.  Why else are there numerous work-related injuries reported every year from both types of jobs?  Therefore it has to be apparent that there are definite disadvantages associated with sitting in a chair or standing up all day.

Let us first look at the effects of sitting for long periods of time.  For one, there is discomfort in the back and legs of the individual.  There is also the problem of increased muscle fatigue.  I am sure some of you are now shaking your head in agreement.  For those of you who don’t, just think about it.  Imagine going on a long road trip.  After a few hours of driving, you feel the need to wiggle around or even pull over to get out and stretch.  The same is true if you are sitting at a desk for too long.

On the other hand prolonged standing is not all-in-all solution.  When a person stands for long periods of time the feet can become sore, legs and ankles begin to swell, and even varicose veins can begin to form if done day in and day out.  This makes perfect sense to me and I do not work in a job as such.  However, I have been to numerous sporting events where I stand for at least three to four hours straight.  By the end of the game, I definitely have swollen ankles and my back is somewhat sore too.

So what do you do to solve this?  Well, the answer is through a combination of sitting and standing.  By standing and sitting throughout the day, muscles are able to adjust and not become stiff due to adaptation of a norm.  It is with these facts in mind that Ergomotion created their Motiondesk.  The Motiondesk is an electric height adjustable desk that allows individuals to change from standing to sitting.  It is a product that has captured the best of both sitting and standing.  Consequently the Ergomotion Motiondesk claims that it provides individuals with a much healthier and more productive way to work.   

                Will there soon be a law regarding ergonomic standards in the workplace?  This is quickly becoming a pivotal question among Congress and the many businesses of America.  Recently, we have seen talk of ergonomic standards being set on a state level.  For example, California already has laws and Michigan is amidst adopting ergonomic standards for businesses as well.  However, many are shunning away from this idea.

                This is not the first time for the recommendation of ergonomic laws to be presented to Congress.  In 2001 the same thing occurred under the George W. Bush Administration.  That recommendation did not pass though.  The thoughts this time around are that ergonomic laws will because of the new administration under President Barack Obama.

                Heading the recommendations would be the newly appointed “workplace sheriff,” Ms. Hilda Solis.  This has not been officially released by the Obama Administration yet.  However, if announced it is predictable that this go round may go through.  Reasoning for this is the new make-up of a Democratic Congress, the Obama Administration, and Ms. Solis’s background.  Solis is Republican from the state of California, the only state with current ergonomic laws, and is currently a member of the House of Representatives.  Ergonomics are key issue for Solis who is the daughter of an immigrant and union worker. 

                Some are still hopeful that such announcements of plans regarding ergonomic rules will not occur.  They are placing this idea on the fact that the 2009 list of policy priorities for the US Chamber of Commerce did not mention it.  On the defense of these standards are the many businesses that state mandatory ergonomic standards will increase costs for their business; cost that they cannot afford right now because of the current economic crisis. 

                For now, the nation is in waiting.  We are waiting to find out what the state of Michigan will rule.  Will that ruling affect the plausibility of a national ergonomic law?  Will it make any difference upon the nation?  Will the Obama Administration make announcements, and if so, when?  These are all questions that will continue to be asked.  So, therefore we wait to see what is to come.  What do you think is the best for our nation?

            March has start off with a bang!  This year’s announcements for finalists in the competition regarding the 2009 Ergo Cup® Awards closed out the month of February and excitingly opened the month of March.  The Ergo Cup® Awards are hosted annually.  This year the Ergo Cup® Awards will be given out at the Applied Ergonomics Convention held in Reno, Nevada from March 23^rd through March 26^th. 

            Finalists for the Ergo Cup® Awards are chosen from across the world.  Furthermore, only twenty of the many applicants make it to the finals.  That is why the announcement that three American companies made it to the finals was such great news.  These companies include:  Boeing Company, Caterpillar Incorporated, and Honda of America.  These companies join a host of other American companies that have made it to the finals in years past.  Some of these include Toyota, Dell, and Bridgestone/Firestone.

            The Ergo Cup® Awards are subdivided into three categories.  These include Ergonomics Training, Team-Driven Workplace Solutions and Engineering/Ergonomist-Driven Workplace Solutions.  The winners of each category will be selected by a panel of judges assessing each competitor on the bases of their ergonomic innovation’s uniqueness, simplicity, cost savings, ergonomic risk and presentation quality.

            Throughout the week at the convention, the twenty finalists will display their ergonomic innovations.  Meanwhile, there will also be the opportunity for companies from all walks of the earth to view these innovations as well as participate in the numerous workshops, tours, lectures, and panel discussions that will take place over the course of four days.  The excitement pushes on through the length of the convention as it closes with the prestigious announcement of the Ergo Cup® Awards.  

            To see all of the finalists for this year’s awards visit the following website:  http://www.iienet2.org/uploadedFiles/Ergo_Community/Ergo_Cup/Ergo%20Cup%20Finalists%202009%20-updated%2002.20.09.pdf.  After visiting the site and reviewing the finalist entries you just might pick your top winners.  However, all is a mystery until the winner is announced!  We will just have to wait and see who the 2009 winner is!

                For many Americans the harshness of winter is beginning to cease.  Being from a southern state, I myself and beginning to enjoy the early onsets of spring.  In fact, temperatures are beginning to climb into the upper seventies already.   However, that is not the case for those who live in Northern United States including the New England Region. 

                I don’t know how people live in such cold regions being born and raised in Texas myself.  I have never experienced highs below freezing and a cold day for me is when the high is in the upper forties or lower fifties!   I know that may sound funny to some, but it is true.  That made me wonder how the cold weather affects the workforce of companies whose business in areas receiving colder weather at a consistent pace (i.e. have a real winter)? 

                After doing some research on the matter, I was happy to find that this issue is in fact a problem.  The problem though has been realized.  The International Organization for Standardization has realized that cold temperatures do affect the risk in the work environment.  Therefore, a standard was developed in 2008 to address this issue.  It is the ISO 15743:2008, Ergonomics of the thermal environment standard. 

                The standard delves into the problem of that businesses face due to cold climates and issues standards to improve their workplace environments to avoid risk and increase efficiency during these times.  The major problem is that cold weather can have several negative effects including health concerns, work productivity, quality, and safety.  Some of the standards set forth by the International Organization for Standardization include “instructions for identifying individuals with symptoms that increase their cold sensitivity, guidance and instructions for individual cold protection, and safe practices for working in cold conditions.”

                It is important to note that this is not the first standard that the International Organization for Standardization has issued.  In the past there have been many other standards that deal with work in cold conditions and the many other effects of thermal stress in the working environment.  The ISO 15743:2008 serves as a complement to these previous issued standards.  It is through all of the standards that the working environment in colder climates is to improve.  The ISO 15743:2008 is just another way that ergonomics is fighting the cold!

            The other day, I reported on the “Economics of Ergonomics.”  It seems that there is more good new to report for the ergonomic industry.  However, this time it is not seen through ergonomic retail manufacturers.  Rather, we now see companies that provide ergonomic services growing and reaping the rewards.

            Atlas Ergonomics, LLC, is known as the nation’s greatest ergonomic service provider to employers.  Atlas Ergonomics, LLC, apparently plans to keep this competitive advantage and lucky for them the demand to enable this is continuing to thrive.  No wonder then that the corporation announced recently that they were adding twenty-nine groups to its nation-wide service network.  

Among their nation-wide network is a multitude of ergonomists, occupational therapists, and physical therapists.  It is through these networks across the United States that Atlas is able to reduce work related injuries of employees.  Furthermore, they don’t just say this.  They make sure the bottom-line of work-related injuries is measurably decreased.  Therefore, they are ensuring their clientele with measurable results. 

How do they do this though?  Of course they are not giving away the entire secret of their success, but upon announcement of their expansion they did comment that each of their new groups participates in extensive training.  The training consists of four long days of implementation by Atlas and then the testing of the each group’s location.  This means that call centers, commercial transportation, public transit, and general office settings meet the Atlas standards.  Among Atlas’s newly added office locations is a group in Fort Worth, Texas.  For a list of all of the twenty-nine groups recently added simply check-out the following link:  http://www.atlasergo.com/pressrelease20090213.htm.

                It is official, as we all have seen, that the United States is in a definite period of recession.  It is now that we see many industries struggling to make ends meet.  As of recent entire retail chains such as Circuit City and Linens-n-Things have closed their doors.  On the other hand, many companies are closing the doors of some of their outlets.  Furthermore, it is not just in the retail industries like Macy’s and JC Penny.  We are seeing the wholesale industry affected as well. 

                However, there is one industry that is not struggling.  Who is that you may ask?  The industry dealing with the manufacturing of ergonomics is actually growing at a time of economic downturn.  In a recent report it was released that businesses such as Sit Back & Relax is recording sales growth!  The demand for comfort seems to be untouchable.  This is possibly because of the economic recession we are experiencing.

                Yes, that is right!  The recession could actually be lending a hand to the increase in demand for ergonomic products.  The reasoning behind this is that the recession is causing additional stress to the employee’s work life.  If they are not stressing about losing a job, they are stressing about the amount of time they are spending in overtime at their jobs to make up for the time that would be put in by people that have had to been let go. 

Due to these circumstances, companies are investing in making the most out these employees’ efforts.  They want their employees’ time to be of the best quality with maximum efficiency.  Consequently, they are looking towards ergonomics for the answers.  It has been researched and found consecutively that improving working conditions (i.e. comfort and safety levels through ergonomic solutions) equal energized and happier employees. 

In the long run this is great news for the ergonomic manufacturing industry.  Even when the recession ends, consumers will still rely on these products because they are now the standard to be compared to.  There is no turning back now!  The new growth will now come out of improvements to these already accepted ergonomic products.

            Just as we recently saw a change in office, so did Canada.  On Monday, February 16, 2009, a week ago yesterday, a new face resided among the Council of Governors.  Maybe this was not as big of change as we witnessed, but as we all know there are several pieces to a government and any one change can lead to differences. 

             Without further a due, the Honorable Rona Ambrose, the Canadian Minister of Labor, announced that Mr. Harry Phillips would be the new Governor representing employers to the Council of Governors of the Canadian Centre for Occupational Health and Safety Board.  This transition would take immediate effect.

            However, there was no question of Mr. Phillips’ abilities to meet job requirements.  Mr. Phillips comes with a long history of titles that are streamlined this appointment.  It was over twenty years ago that he was the Director of Safety at the main offices of the Canada Post Corporation for Ergonomics and Industrial Hygiene.  Furthermore, after ten years serving with the aforementioned corporation, he became Senior Manager of Health and Safety at Canadian Broadcasting Corporation.  Mr. Phillips has also served on various boards and planning committees that further his qualifications for this job.

            What will Mr. Phillips be doing as Governor in representation of employers?  Surely, he will be making recommendations and changes to further advance the health and safety of all Canadian businesses.  The fact that the Canadian Centre for Occupational Health and Safety Board “provides Canadians with unbiased and relevant information supporting responsible decisions on health and safety issues in the workplace” sets a perfect atmosphere for Mr. Phillips to implement his ideas that he has developed throughout his years of service in this field. 

            So far a week has passed since Mr. Phillips has been appointed.   We will soon see what changes will come to be due to this announcement.  It is very likely that Mr. Phillips appointment will not go unnoticed.

            In phone stores, sales representatives are constantly trying to urge you to purchase a Bluetooth for your phone.  All phones today are pretty much Bluetooth capable.  Phone stores are capitalizing on the buzz that the law will soon demand phones to be hands free while driving.  Sales representatives are using this in their sales pitch to entice you into buying them.  Furthermore, it seems to be working because the majority of people are buying into it.  Everywhere I look I see someone with one in their ear and looking like they are talking to themselves.

            However, is the Bluetooth really the solution?  Does it meet the requirements to truly make our lives easier while talking on the phone?  After talking to several people and reading articles about different Bluetooth devices, I have come to believe:  NO!

            What is the problem with the Bluetooth devices?  For starters, many reviewers are claiming that their Bluetooth falls out of their ear continuously.  One reviewer claims the following about her recent purchase of the Iqua 603 Bluetooth, a Bluetooth that appeals to the environment by running off small solar panels rather than batteries:  it kept falling out of our ears, meaning we had to hold it in, which somewhat defeated the point of it being hands-free.”  Therefore, what is its purpose in the long run?  Apparently the ergonomics of the device is not up to par, but what about other features of Bluetooth devices?

            Many people that I have talked with, and through personal experience, have made it clear that the Bluetooth is not reliable.  It is constantly dropping calls for one reason or another.  There is the chance that it has run out of life (usually only four to five hours of talk time), or it may be due to problems with connectivity between your phone and the Bluetooth.  Once again, doesn’t it just seem better to use our phone if all these factors are coming into play?

            Due to the many negatives of the Bluetooth, research by phone companies is going into the development of new technologies.  For instance, some phones can be plugged into your radio and have a channel of their own for you to have conversations through.  Of course this is not the end-all solution.  After all, the Bluetooth is still unique in comparison because it allows individuals to be hands free even when not in their car.  Therefore, in closing I ask this:  What is the solution?  Apparently nothing this far is that great.  With 2009 in full force though, there is sure to be a new technology to answer the question.

            There are phones coming out each and everyday.  Each phone claims to have this new feature whether it be through technology, design, or accessories.  However, now the upcoming phone hits a different note.  The new phone I am speaking of is an Alacatel Mobile Phone that looks like it was constructed out of Legos!

            Legos?  That was what I first thought too.  Apparently, Alacatel is taking mobile phones to a whole new market.  The phone is to be marketed to kids that range from the ages of six to twelve!  This is hard for me to believe, considering I didn’t receive my first mobile phone until I was nearly sixteen.

            The release date of this new phone has not been made public yet.  However, it is clear that although this phone is to be for a younger generation of children who may not be aware of what is deems a phone “good,” Alacatel is not going to cut back on making a quality product.  Alacatel is using the characteristics of a Lego simply for design.  That does not mean it will implement the lack of ergonomics into the mobile phone that a Lego has. 

            The new phone by Alacatel will be modeled after its OT-1650 mobile phone design.  This phone integrates ergonomic features such as Bluetooth for driving, a flashlight, and an accelerometer.  The combination of these and other features will make the new Lego phone easy for children between the ages of six to twelve to use.

            The bottom line is that although the exterior of the phone is designed to attract a younger generation, the phones capabilities ergonomically and technologically are what draw in the parent, and as we all know this is who will be footing the bill.  Still, there is a major question at hand.  Would the ergonomic and technological features be enough for you to purchase a cell phone for your child that falls within the ages of six to twelve?