Conventional Wisdom vs. Current Ergonomics: http://www.office-ergo.com/conventi.htm
Chris Grant, Ph.D., CPE, contrasts conventional ergonomic reasoning with current research and offers up a few suprises.
Ergonomic Gizmos: Pros/Cons: http://www.office-ergo.com/pros&.htm
Another page by Chris Grant - this one discusses ergonomic office devices and whether they actually provide the benefits they claim to.
Sites with good comprehensive information
OFFICE ERGONOMICS: http://www.office-ergo.com/
This site is the work of Chris Grant, PhD, whose Michigan-based ergonomics
practice is limited to office-related issues. Dr. Grant and other cited
authors on the site are Certified Professional Ergonomists and Certified
Industrial Ergonomists who have consulted in this field for years, and have
been involved in the development of national and international ergonomics
standards.
BASIC PRINCIPLES OF ERGONOMICS: http://www.danmacleod.com/Ergo%20for%20You/principles.htm
Dan MacLeod has been a pioneer in bringing ergonomic concerns to the foreground
for the past twenty five years. He has worked with the auto and meat packing
industry to develop ergonomic guidelines and testified before Congress in
defense of ergonomic standards. The link above will take you to a page with
basic information on fundamental ergonomic principles and will give you
a good idea of how you should be positioning and moving your body while
at work in a variety of circumstances.
ERGONOMICS QUIZ: http://keats.admin.virginia.edu/ergoquiz/home.cfm
This University of Virginia site contains much useful information. Of special
note is their Ergonomics Quiz which lets you test your ergonomic knowledge.
If you hold the cursor over the arrow to the right of the window displayed
on the page above it will allow you to move to various places on the site.
There is also a copy of the university's library ergonomics evaluation form
which allows employees to see if they are working ergonomically and offers
advice on how to achieve ergonomic compliance.
Programs at Other Universities
University of Virginia: http://keats.admin.virginia.edu/ergo/home.html
A very good site with ergonomic information on VDT's, computer stretch breaks, and back injury prevention. The site also includes an ergonomics quiz that tests your knowledge of ergonomics and an evaluation form that lets you rate how ergonomic your work station set up and work habits are.
University of Georgia: http://www.libs.uga.edu/ergo/ergonom.html
This site is a little different than the UVA or Smith College site. Included here is a page defining ergonomics which lists risk factors and how to set up your workplace in order to avoid CTD's and RSI's. Of special note is a glossary which includes medical terms for and definitions of various types of repetitive stress and cumulative trauma conditions including links to web sites with further information.
Cornell University: http://ergo.human.cornell.edu/CUEHinfo.html
Included on this page you will find links to workstation guidelines, ergonomic products, and other ergonomic information. Shorten the URL to http://ergo.human.cornell.edu/ for further information.
The following links are divided into broad general categories. If you navigate within the site the link takes you to you will, in most cases, find additional information on other areas of ergonomic interest. Some of these pages are part of the more comprehensive metasites described briefly below. Others can be found by exploring the links provided by the metasites below.
Information on Setting Up Your Workspace
Eyestrain
Hands/Wrists
Back/Spine
Disability Software
Shareware and freeware software exists to make computers easier to use for people with an existing disability. Some of this software can be very useful for people without a disability who simply need relief from having to use the mouse and keyboard. Some of this software can be time-saving as well.
ERGOWORLD: http://www.interface-analysis.com/ergoworld
A metasite containing literally hundreds of links to web sites dealing with
office ergonomics, industrial ergonomics, injury prevention and human factors
research. Sponsored by Interface Analysis Associates a private consulting
business that examines the interface between products, equipment, and human
beings.
USERNOMICS: http://www.usernomics.com/
Another privately sponsored site that offers some great resources for your
own ergonomic research. Of special interest are their "Ergonomics and
Training Resources on the Net" and the links provided under "Additional
Resources" on their main page. They provide links to Metasites, Search
Engines, Newsgroups, Mailing Lists, and Professional Societies.
ERGONOMICS IN AUSTRALIA: http://www.ergonomics.com.au/ergolinks.htm
Another page full of abundant links to ergonomics and occupational health
and safety related sites loosely organized. What this page lacks in efficient
organization it more than makes up for in sheer volume of sites. Of special
note are the links to electronic journals dealing with the subject of human/object
interaction (what is known as human factors, human systems, or biomechanics
research) and the links to information on health and safety.
CTD RESOURCE NETWORK: http://www.ctdrn.org/
A site produced by a California not-for-profit corporation which provides
information and assistance to the Repetitive Stress Injury (RSI) community.
The site hosts the RSI Newsletter and Typing Injury FAQ along with an RSI
and an Ergo Forum. Also included are links to several newsgroups and discussion
lists, just click on "Links" at the bottom of their home page.
