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Industrial ergonomics. Case studies
Recent
Substance Abuse in the Workforce. A Guide to Managing Substance Abuse Problems in the Workplace. D. Heller and A. E. Robinson. Canadian Centre on Substance Abuse, Ottawa, Canada, 1992. 1 I.5 pp. C$13.99. ISBN 0-9695468-l-5. This book attempts to respond to the growing concern over mind- and performance-altering substances in the workplace with facts. The authors review the effects of a variety of substances on one’s ability to work safely and efficiently; the consequences of intoxication; the effects of chronic use on safety, productivity and health; available methods to deal with abuse, from primary prevention to rehabilitation and sanction; and the laws in place. Only the last topic is limiting, since the authors consider legislation primarily in Ontario, Canada. After an initial review of the issues, the authors concentrate on the logistics of detection and the options available and useful for treatment and discipline. The section devoted to specific substances includes those legally available (alcohol, solvents) as well as prohibited (cocaine, cannabinoids, LSD). The book concludes with a description of existing laws and public policy statements in Canada. The reference list is extensive and up-to-date. Of 270 references, the earliest was published in 1930, but two-thirds appeared in 1985 or later. This book. while oriented to readers in a specific jurisdiction, will provide others with a clear and concise discussion of the general issues surrounding the question of substance abuse among working people, and a useful summary of the options available.
CONFERENCE Strategic Highway Research Program and Traffic Safety on Two Continents. Proceedings of the Conference, Gothenburg. Sweden, September 18-20, 1991. Rapport 372A (six volumes), Swedish Road and Traffic Research Institute (VTI), Linkoping, Sweden, 1991. Volume 1. Opening: Getting SHRP’s products into practice (D. J. Kulash, I- IO); Federal Highway Administration’s role in SHRP product implementation (E. D. Carlson, I I-19); Research collaboration: new European initiatives (D. F. Cornelius, 21-26). Motorist Infortnution Systems: Changes in driver behaviour as a function of handsfree mobile phones: a simulator study (H. Alm and L. Nilsson, 27-44);
Publications
491
Industrial Ergonomics. Case Studies. B. M. Pulat and D. C. Alexander, editors. McGraw-Hill Book Company, New York, NY, USA, 1992. 334 pp. $54.95. ISBN 0-07-0508.50-X. Ergonomics covers a wide range of workplace problems that share aspects of chronic occupational disease and acute injuries. The editors of this volume point out that cumulative trauma disorders have become an increasingly prominent cause of workforce disability; that compensation for injured workers or related to public liability for the poor design of products has increased; and that ergonomics can reduce the risk of a variety of accidents and injuries. The widespread effects of problems, from reduced production to higher losses in time and money for medical problems, have meant that ergonomic principles have attracted increasing attention. The theory of ergonomics is presented indirectly in this collection of papers through a variety of case studies. There are three main groups of papers: physical ergonomics, information ergonomics and the design of work space and work methods. In addition, there are papers addressing product design, macro-ergonomics and maintainability. In each paper, one or more cases is described in some detail to illustrate more general points. The studies range from a discussion of low back pain in sedentary office workers to the design of heavy machinery. The emphasis on the practical and the specific problems addressed in each case study will make this book of particular value to both managers and union representatives whose interest in ergonomics is more practical than theoretical.
PROCEEDINGS Variable-message signs: legibility and recognition of symbols (M. Colomb, R. Hubert et al., 45-62); Man and his wheel: cognitive and perceptual aspects (M. Wierda, 63-73); Measuring effects of variable message signing on route-choice and driving behaviour (R. van der Horst, W. Janssen and J. E. Korteling, 75-84); Acceptance and benefit of the Berlin Route Guidance and Information System (LISB) (J. M. Sparmann. 85-102); Automobile navigation safety issues (R. L. French, 103-l 1 I). Accident Studies mnd S&ty Management: Economic appraisal and ranking of road safety measures (K.-O. Hedman, 113-120); Traffic safety on two continents: a ten-year analysis of human and vehicular involvements (R. Lamm and E. M. Choueiri,
Substance Abuse in the Workforce. A Guide to Managing Substance Abuse Problems in the Workplace. D. Heller and A. E. Robinson. Canadian Centre on Substance Abuse, Ottawa, Canada, 1992. 1 I.5 pp. C$13.99. ISBN 0-9695468-l-5. This book attempts to respond to the growing concern over mind- and performance-altering substances in the workplace with facts. The authors review the effects of a variety of substances on one’s ability to work safely and efficiently; the consequences of intoxication; the effects of chronic use on safety, productivity and health; available methods to deal with abuse, from primary prevention to rehabilitation and sanction; and the laws in place. Only the last topic is limiting, since the authors consider legislation primarily in Ontario, Canada. After an initial review of the issues, the authors concentrate on the logistics of detection and the options available and useful for treatment and discipline. The section devoted to specific substances includes those legally available (alcohol, solvents) as well as prohibited (cocaine, cannabinoids, LSD). The book concludes with a description of existing laws and public policy statements in Canada. The reference list is extensive and up-to-date. Of 270 references, the earliest was published in 1930, but two-thirds appeared in 1985 or later. This book. while oriented to readers in a specific jurisdiction, will provide others with a clear and concise discussion of the general issues surrounding the question of substance abuse among working people, and a useful summary of the options available.
CONFERENCE Strategic Highway Research Program and Traffic Safety on Two Continents. Proceedings of the Conference, Gothenburg. Sweden, September 18-20, 1991. Rapport 372A (six volumes), Swedish Road and Traffic Research Institute (VTI), Linkoping, Sweden, 1991. Volume 1. Opening: Getting SHRP’s products into practice (D. J. Kulash, I- IO); Federal Highway Administration’s role in SHRP product implementation (E. D. Carlson, I I-19); Research collaboration: new European initiatives (D. F. Cornelius, 21-26). Motorist Infortnution Systems: Changes in driver behaviour as a function of handsfree mobile phones: a simulator study (H. Alm and L. Nilsson, 27-44);
Publications
491
Industrial Ergonomics. Case Studies. B. M. Pulat and D. C. Alexander, editors. McGraw-Hill Book Company, New York, NY, USA, 1992. 334 pp. $54.95. ISBN 0-07-0508.50-X. Ergonomics covers a wide range of workplace problems that share aspects of chronic occupational disease and acute injuries. The editors of this volume point out that cumulative trauma disorders have become an increasingly prominent cause of workforce disability; that compensation for injured workers or related to public liability for the poor design of products has increased; and that ergonomics can reduce the risk of a variety of accidents and injuries. The widespread effects of problems, from reduced production to higher losses in time and money for medical problems, have meant that ergonomic principles have attracted increasing attention. The theory of ergonomics is presented indirectly in this collection of papers through a variety of case studies. There are three main groups of papers: physical ergonomics, information ergonomics and the design of work space and work methods. In addition, there are papers addressing product design, macro-ergonomics and maintainability. In each paper, one or more cases is described in some detail to illustrate more general points. The studies range from a discussion of low back pain in sedentary office workers to the design of heavy machinery. The emphasis on the practical and the specific problems addressed in each case study will make this book of particular value to both managers and union representatives whose interest in ergonomics is more practical than theoretical.
PROCEEDINGS Variable-message signs: legibility and recognition of symbols (M. Colomb, R. Hubert et al., 45-62); Man and his wheel: cognitive and perceptual aspects (M. Wierda, 63-73); Measuring effects of variable message signing on route-choice and driving behaviour (R. van der Horst, W. Janssen and J. E. Korteling, 75-84); Acceptance and benefit of the Berlin Route Guidance and Information System (LISB) (J. M. Sparmann. 85-102); Automobile navigation safety issues (R. L. French, 103-l 1 I). Accident Studies mnd S&ty Management: Economic appraisal and ranking of road safety measures (K.-O. Hedman, 113-120); Traffic safety on two continents: a ten-year analysis of human and vehicular involvements (R. Lamm and E. M. Choueiri,