Summary of HFES ErgoX conference - a collaborative and unique ergonomics conference where research meets practice. Great topics, speakers and discussion during this recent event.

1. Conference Summary: ErgoX 2016
Shruti Gangakhedkar | Genentech, Inc. | SHE Program Manager, Hillsboro Technical Operations | Email: gangakhs@gene.com

2. • Review of AIHA Ergonomic Toolkit
• Proposed methodology (flowchart)
• Assessment tools:
– Overview of tools: QEC, Liberty Mutual
psychophysical tables, NIOSH 1991 LI,
Composite lifting index for multiple lifts,
Worksafe BC, Strain Index, RULA, REBA
– Pros and cons for each tool
– Proposed Computer Checklist to replace ANSI
VDT checklist (Major additions: touchscreens,
multiple monitors , mobile devices, sit/stand)
• Hands-on application: watch videos and in-
class simulations
• Discussion of assessment:
– Continue to use standards to advance the
knowledge in applied settings,
– Analysis by paralysis
– Overview of free tools
– Discussion of real-world scenarios

3. • Tips to make safety messages fun,
memorable and practical
• Misconception test: fun activity to highlight
biases, misconceptions
• Emotions drive behavior, not logic
• Ideas to make safety and ergonomics fun:
– Include it as one of your program goals
– Use marketing that touches home
– Have real competitions
– Use themes, metaphors, stories & icons
– Go beyond posture, focus on mindfulness
– Make employees feel famous and
appreciated
• Be present and a better listener
• Imagine: a safety focused rendition
• Website: http://www.makesafetyfun.com/

4. • Very informative talk on root causes of low
back injuries
• Discussed different experiments in research
on contributing factors of low back pain
• Shear loading and compressive forces on
spine are important
• Difficult cultures or bad environments lead to
increased reporting of symptoms and back
pain
• Odds-ratio as a tool for predicting “high risk”
jobs in a workplace
• Some root causes are counter-intuitive and
more safety managers should learn the true
science behind back injuries
• Exposure contributors: Physical exposures,
work organization exposures and physical
characteristics

5. • Should all office workers have sit/stand workstations
based on the perceived health benefits?
• Lively debate highlighting pros and cons to this
argument with each speaker presenting opening
arguments followed by a moderated session and open
to attendees for Q&A
• Alter positions during the day: avoid prolonged seated
postures
• Those with sit/stands are known to stand on average
for 1 – 1.5 hours each day
• Those who can benefit from sit/stands
– Back and neck relate issues
– Those who cant fit in regular chairs and work
environments
• Standing is not an alternative to physical activity and
exercise
• Need to introduce movement not just related to
occupational but total sitting time
• Risk for cardiovascular disease reduces with exercise,
not standing
• Exert caution on what we promote and don’t highlight
any false sense of benefit

6. • Contrast between traditional workspaces and
contemporary mobile work
• Need for ergonomics to keep up due to new
devices, ubiquitous access to technology and
changing work environment like shared
spaces, work studios
• Balancing performance and wellbeing is the
newer definition of ergonomics
• Some ideas: Revise fixed seating height to
28.5”, power strip on top of desk, height
adjustability for work surfaces and chairs,
lounge furniture seat pans not too deep, pull
out cushions to provide back support for
shorter population
• Practical guidelines for design and selection
of furniture and other work space elements
• Partnering with planning, facility and IT
design teams to maximize impact of
recommendations

7. • Overview of Liberty Mutual Research
Institute’s areas of focus: Driving, Workplace,
Built environment, Disability
• Focus on knowledge transfer systems from
experts to seekers
• Used mobile app to get live responses from
audience to questions like (fun interactive
activity)
– Leading cause of unintentional injuries in US: a)
Driving; b) Workplaces; c) Building environments
– #1 cause of workplace injuries: a)
slips/trips/falls, b) repetition, c) overexertion
– Common cause of automobile accidents: a)
driver fatigue, b) driver distraction, c) pedestrian
errors
• Bridging the science-practice divide:
coauthoring research in safety
• Core competencies: Scientist (understand);
Consultant (experience); Technician (ability)
and Communicator (outputs)

8. • Overview of Lawrence Berkeley Research Lab
ergonomics program: site details,
environment, challenges
• Transition in focus from micro to macro,
reactive to proactive
• Ergo programs save money! ROI 2:1 to 3:1
• De-medicalization during early reporting and
discomfort periods
• Rapid response kits to cut down the time on
providing tried & tested interventions to
those with discomfort
• Use of Remedy Interactive online self
assessments to map out categories of those
requiring assistance
• Educate and train larger group of employees
– ergo advocates
• Standard product catalogs based on type of
risk and environment
• Bad planning = bad ergonomics

9. • Focus not only on biomechanical
exposures but also psychosocial
and organizational contributors to
worker/ work fit
• Need macro-ergonomic approach
so interventions don’t have
counterproductive or suboptimal
effects
• Total Worker Health approach,
developed through NIOSH
• “Salutogenesis”: designing work to
be health and creativity promoting
• Success of ergonomic interventions
depend on employee health status
• Figure out ways to increase
amount of time to do the right
thing and use right tools
• Discussion on right way to assess return
to work/fit for duty
• Pros and cons of various work hardening
programs: well written job descriptions,
quantitative evaluations, RTW programs
• Max medical conditioning: post injury: 8
hrs/day for multiple days (3-5)

10. Networking ribbons – indicate interest or expertise
in domain
Exhibitors:
• Ohio State University’s Spine Research
Institute
• Auburn Engineers software
• Liberty Mutual Research Institute
• Efficiency software
• Grandstands ergonomic workstation
solutions