Human Factors and Ergonomics

Fatigue, Sleep, and the Consequences of Adverse Work Schedules

About the Webinar:

Adverse work schedules can compromise sleep, leading to fatigue that results in decreased capabilities and increased risk of injury, errors, and vehicle crashes. In this webinar we will explore the factors that constitute an adverse work schedule, what jobs and industries are affected most, the best research on this topic, how to predict the impact of any given work schedule, and what can be done to mitigate the impact of adverse work schedules.

Fatigue in the Workplace: Effects on Health and Performance and Measurement Considerations

About the Webinar:

A leading cause of non-fatal work injuries is overexertion and bodily reaction. What is less understood is the role fatigue plays as a contributing factor. Fatigue in the workplace is a multidimensional process that results in diminished worker performance and is often under appreciated and unrecognized. Reducing the incidence of fatigue-induced workplace injuries and lost productivity depends on accurate and timely detection to allow for appropriate intervention. This webinar will present an overview of worker fatigue and how it may be defined,...

Emerging Technologies: The Future of Ergonomics

About the Webinar:

The field of ergonomics is rapidly changing. Emerging technologies such as exoskeletons, wearable sensors, computer-vision, artificial intelligence, and virtual and augmented reality are being integrated into how companies & ergonomists provide services. From design, to training, to assessments, to solution implementation, these new technologies can help companies optimize business performance. This presentation will provide a “high-level” overview of this topic and will provide some insights into the future of our field of ergonomics (from a...

Considerations in Exoskeleton Human Factors

About the Webinar:

Exoskeletons are a class of wearable technology that have potential to provide significant benefits to users, including increased strength or endurance, improved motor performance, and enhanced capability. Exoskeletons may be passive and provide structural support for the wearer, or active and generate motion using powered components. Enabling the benefits of an exoskeleton requires a good “fit” between the user and the system. In this talk, we will consider three characteristics of fit: (1) static, (2) dynamic, and (3) cognitive. Examples will be provided...

04/19/23: Job Rotation: Considerations for Preventing Musculoskeletal Disorders

About the webinar:

Job rotation is an administrative control strategy that involves alternating work tasks between employees. It is often associated with various benefits, including improved cross-training, reduced monotony, and increased exposure variability that may reduce the risk of overloading musculoskeletal tissues. However, research examining job rotation as a preventative measure for musculoskeletal disorders have had mixed results. In this webinar, Drs. Schall and Vinel will describe a novel optimization framework evaluating the effectiveness of job rotation when considering the...

03/15/23: Experimental Approaches for the Characterization of Prolonged Sedentary Postures Among Sedentary Workers

About the webinar:

The adoption of prolonged sitting posture, which is a condition commonly encountered in several working tasks, is known to induce a wide range of negative effects, including discomfort, which has been recognized as an early predictor for musculoskeletal disorders (particularly low back pain), and impact on cardio-metabolic health. In this regard, the continuous monitoring of worker’s psychophysical state while sitting for long periods of time and throughout the day, may result useful in to preventing and managing potentially risky situations and to promote...

02/15/23: Ergonomics Research Updates from the University of Michigan

About the webinar:

This webinar will explore two unique research topics.

Impact of Disability Incidence & Simulation on Inclusive Mobility Design with Kamolnat (Kam) Tabattanon:

Principles of universal design call for researchers and designers to consider all user populations, however, recent literature has suggested that adults with disabilities are being left behind. This is made evident by the 22% of older adults with disabilities who ceased employment efforts due to discouragement (Bureau of Labor Statistics, 2022). This presentation will explore ongoing work...

01/18/23: Home Office Ergonomics Post COVID-19: Carpe Diem

About the webinar:

The COVID-19 pandemic changed how knowledge work gets done. In early 2022, roughly six in ten U.S. workers with jobs that can be completed from home continue to work from home all or most of the time. As more people work from home than ever before, and as the demand for remote work increases, workplaces continue to find optimal balance for collaborating with colleagues onsite. This presentation will discuss how the pandemic changed how we work, and how the home-office work balance will continue to evolve.

11/16/22: Health Disparities in Meat Packing

About the webinar:

This presentation will explore findings of a recent review of health disparities research in the meat packing industry. A systematic and thorough review of the literature identified 60 articles that touched on health disparities areas such as: gender/sex, race/ethnicity, language/education, class, and nativity. Participants will review the results of the study and engage in a broader discussion about why we need to consider these underlying factors that contribute to the negative health of workers in the meat packing industry. We will also assess the lack of...

10/19/22: Research-to-Practice via Ergonomic Research Methods

About the webinar:

Research in the field of ergonomics, and its associated research methods such as motion capture, may appear abstract, with limited direct application outside of academia. However, when integrated into a research-to-practice design philosophy, ergonomics and biomechanical research methods can be employed to improve overall satisfaction with devices and workplaces. Occasionally, products are released onto the market without full consideration of user needs and wants. User-centered design (UCD), often by way of methods including surveys or task analyses,...