- Email: [email protected]
Theatre survey
Principles of ergonomics The primary source document for safety and health personnel, Principles of Ergonomics is said to be a complete training course for managers working to identify and reduce ergonomic injuries. A recent area directive issued to OSHA offices requires compliance officers to evaluate the potential for ergonomic injuries while visiting workplaces and, if necessary, render a citation under the General Duty Clause. The document provides information necessary to detect and treat ergonomic problems. It includes 571 pages of text, 250 colour slides, 4 colour videotapes (½" VHS), a software program to calculate the action limit for spinal loads, etc. Among the many topics covered are back injury prevention, cumulative trauma disorders, visual display terminals, work physiology, workstation design, vibration disorders and heat stress. Available from Biomechanics Corporation of America, 337 Skidmore Road, Deer Park, New York 11729.
Theatre survey During December 1986, the Ontario Heritage Foundation commissioned Behavioural Team to conduct a study into the adaptation and re-use of the Elgin and Winter Garden theatres. The study was to gather information on visitor behaviour and attitudes towards restoration. Five methods were used: self-completion questionnaires, the Building Adjective Checklist (a validated and normal architectural psychology instrument), a telephone survey, interval interviews, and behavioural observation. The results showed 95% preferring a restored facility to a new construction. Improvements were sought in the box office facilities, washrooms, heating system, telephones and the long climbs to reach balcony seating. About 12 handicapped people were present at an average performance, who suffered from such hazards as dim lighting, poor colour contrasts, glare sources, numerous stairs, and irregular layouts. More details from the Behavioural Team, 21 Vaughan Rd, Suite 202, Toronto, Ontario M6G 2N2, Canada.
South African ergonomics The Design Institute of the South African Bureau of Standards publishes a design journal, Brief. The issue numbered 87-2 included a number of ergonomics-based articles: how Nissan designs for the South African consumer, optimised design for the passenger in
350
the Pendelbus commuter 19us, vehicle displays and controls; the unnatural history of sitting; the role of ergonomics in quality management; human factors in industrial inspection; and how poverty and lack of amenities add to the plight of the black disabled person. There are also reports of activities of the Ergonomics Society of Southern Africa. Enquiries should be directed to the ESA Secretariat at the Design Institute, SABS, Private Bag X191, Pretoria 0001, South Africa.
Ergonomics course To assist in satisfying an increase in demand for higher level education in ergonomics, Lule~ University of Technology, Department of Human Work Sciences is planning to offer, (from August 1988) a Master of Science (MSc) Degree Course in ergonomics. The duration of study is designed for 1½ years. The MSc programme is to be held under the auspices of the Swedish International University (SIU). For information on the course, contact Dr H. Shahnavaz, Department of Human Work Sciences, Lulea* Umverslty " " of Technology, S-951 87 Lule~, Sweden.
Ergonomics information source
Petroleum Engineering Division of the Department of Energy. The guidelines are designed to assist employers, employees and occupational health staff in the development of appropriate arrangements for the effective health care of people at work. They give practical guidance on functions and activities of occupational health services and contain detailed recommendations on the basic principles of a record-keeping system. The guidelines were developed following a survey of the main sectors of the industry which revealed that, while the provision o f occupational health p e r s o n n e l facilities and equipment was generally good, there was a considerable degree of variation in the practice of occupational health care. The advice contained in the guidelines is related to the oil industry but may be helpful to other industries when considering their own requirements for occupational health services. Guidelines for Occupational Health Services in the Oil Industry, ISBN 0 t 1 883890 31 price £4.50, is available from HMSO or booksellers.
Postal service workers' stress report
The stress and subsequent health problems which arise from automated job operations have recently been the The Report Store, a division of subject of a study in relation to postal Ergosyst Associates Inc, has published service workers; In the United States, its Ergonomics Sourcebook: A Guide the National Institute for Occupational to Human Factors Information. It Safety and Health (NIOSH) undertook contains references and descriptions a comparison of US postal service of associations, on-line databases, workers, between those engaged in research centres, consultants, periodicals, machine-paced letter sorting tasks to basic references and conferences. This those working at non-machine paced 300-page book, ISBN 0-916313-12-3, jobs. A questionnaire was sent to hard cover, US $65.00, is available for 12 300 employees at 48 postal orders outside North America from: locations regionally distributed Information Publications Intl (IPI), throughout mainland United States. White Swan House, Godstone, Surrey There was a high response rate of RH9 8LW, UK. 55% with approximately 6700 respondents. Amongst those working in a machine-paced environment, there was Occupational health services less job satisfaction, and higher publication demands on concentration and memory. The Health and Safety Commission There were also greater levels of health has published a booklet of general complaints, particularly visual, arm, advice intended to help ensure a wrist, hand and neck strains, as well as consistent approach to occupational general stress problems. health care in the oil industry. The Job demands and worker health in policy of the HSC is to encourage machine-paced mail sorting operations organisations to attain high standards (PB86-191079) is published by the of occupational health as well as safety US National Technical Information for all their workers. The booklet, Service (NTIS) and is available in the Guidelines for Occupational Health UK from the NTIS distributor, MicroServices in the Oil Industry, was info Ltd, PO Box 3, Omega Park, Alton, prepared by the HSC's Oil Industry Hampshire GU34 2PG (0420 86848), Advisory Committee and has been price on application. endorsed by the Commission and the
book
AppliedErgonomics December 1987
Theatre survey During December 1986, the Ontario Heritage Foundation commissioned Behavioural Team to conduct a study into the adaptation and re-use of the Elgin and Winter Garden theatres. The study was to gather information on visitor behaviour and attitudes towards restoration. Five methods were used: self-completion questionnaires, the Building Adjective Checklist (a validated and normal architectural psychology instrument), a telephone survey, interval interviews, and behavioural observation. The results showed 95% preferring a restored facility to a new construction. Improvements were sought in the box office facilities, washrooms, heating system, telephones and the long climbs to reach balcony seating. About 12 handicapped people were present at an average performance, who suffered from such hazards as dim lighting, poor colour contrasts, glare sources, numerous stairs, and irregular layouts. More details from the Behavioural Team, 21 Vaughan Rd, Suite 202, Toronto, Ontario M6G 2N2, Canada.
South African ergonomics The Design Institute of the South African Bureau of Standards publishes a design journal, Brief. The issue numbered 87-2 included a number of ergonomics-based articles: how Nissan designs for the South African consumer, optimised design for the passenger in
350
the Pendelbus commuter 19us, vehicle displays and controls; the unnatural history of sitting; the role of ergonomics in quality management; human factors in industrial inspection; and how poverty and lack of amenities add to the plight of the black disabled person. There are also reports of activities of the Ergonomics Society of Southern Africa. Enquiries should be directed to the ESA Secretariat at the Design Institute, SABS, Private Bag X191, Pretoria 0001, South Africa.
Ergonomics course To assist in satisfying an increase in demand for higher level education in ergonomics, Lule~ University of Technology, Department of Human Work Sciences is planning to offer, (from August 1988) a Master of Science (MSc) Degree Course in ergonomics. The duration of study is designed for 1½ years. The MSc programme is to be held under the auspices of the Swedish International University (SIU). For information on the course, contact Dr H. Shahnavaz, Department of Human Work Sciences, Lulea* Umverslty " " of Technology, S-951 87 Lule~, Sweden.
Ergonomics information source
Petroleum Engineering Division of the Department of Energy. The guidelines are designed to assist employers, employees and occupational health staff in the development of appropriate arrangements for the effective health care of people at work. They give practical guidance on functions and activities of occupational health services and contain detailed recommendations on the basic principles of a record-keeping system. The guidelines were developed following a survey of the main sectors of the industry which revealed that, while the provision o f occupational health p e r s o n n e l facilities and equipment was generally good, there was a considerable degree of variation in the practice of occupational health care. The advice contained in the guidelines is related to the oil industry but may be helpful to other industries when considering their own requirements for occupational health services. Guidelines for Occupational Health Services in the Oil Industry, ISBN 0 t 1 883890 31 price £4.50, is available from HMSO or booksellers.
Postal service workers' stress report
The stress and subsequent health problems which arise from automated job operations have recently been the The Report Store, a division of subject of a study in relation to postal Ergosyst Associates Inc, has published service workers; In the United States, its Ergonomics Sourcebook: A Guide the National Institute for Occupational to Human Factors Information. It Safety and Health (NIOSH) undertook contains references and descriptions a comparison of US postal service of associations, on-line databases, workers, between those engaged in research centres, consultants, periodicals, machine-paced letter sorting tasks to basic references and conferences. This those working at non-machine paced 300-page book, ISBN 0-916313-12-3, jobs. A questionnaire was sent to hard cover, US $65.00, is available for 12 300 employees at 48 postal orders outside North America from: locations regionally distributed Information Publications Intl (IPI), throughout mainland United States. White Swan House, Godstone, Surrey There was a high response rate of RH9 8LW, UK. 55% with approximately 6700 respondents. Amongst those working in a machine-paced environment, there was Occupational health services less job satisfaction, and higher publication demands on concentration and memory. The Health and Safety Commission There were also greater levels of health has published a booklet of general complaints, particularly visual, arm, advice intended to help ensure a wrist, hand and neck strains, as well as consistent approach to occupational general stress problems. health care in the oil industry. The Job demands and worker health in policy of the HSC is to encourage machine-paced mail sorting operations organisations to attain high standards (PB86-191079) is published by the of occupational health as well as safety US National Technical Information for all their workers. The booklet, Service (NTIS) and is available in the Guidelines for Occupational Health UK from the NTIS distributor, MicroServices in the Oil Industry, was info Ltd, PO Box 3, Omega Park, Alton, prepared by the HSC's Oil Industry Hampshire GU34 2PG (0420 86848), Advisory Committee and has been price on application. endorsed by the Commission and the
book
AppliedErgonomics December 1987