Ergo Newsletters

Ergonomics Newsletters

The DoD Ergonomics Working Group electronic newsletter provides timely ergonomics news on a monthly basis, covering topics as wide-ranging as program assistance, success stories, education and training opportunities, and new publications. If you would like to be added to our mailing list, click here and enter your email address.

	Ergonomics: The DoD Perspective Issue 84, October 2008 Get all the details on the DoD Ergonomics Track--13 presentations and a best practices roundtable--being offered at the Applied Ergonomics Conference and Expo on 24-25 March 2009.
	Ergonomics Fact Sheets Updated Issue 83, October 2008 In recognition of National Ergonomics Month, all 21 of our fact sheets have been updated. Written for both supervisors and workers, these fact sheets provide basic information on ergonomics.
	Return-on-Investment: The Economics of Ergonomics Issue 82, September 2008 Learn how to perform a return-on-investment calculation using productivity improvements and injury aversion.
	Applied Ergonomics Conference and Expo 2009 Issue 81, July 2008 Get the information you need to submit an abstract or enter the Ergo Cup® competition at the 2009 AEC in Reno, Nevada.
	Ft. Lewis Best Practice Issue 80, June 2008 This article details the inventive yet simple and inexpensive ergonomic solution created and produced at Ft. Lewis, Washington, to improve height and reach for a common work task.
	CBT Ergonomics Module Issue 79, May 2008 This article announces FREE computer-based ergonomics training for all DoD employees.
	Ergo Cup® Competition Issue 78, April 2008 This article highlights FRC East's participation in the 2008 Ergo Cup® Competition with their innovative workplace solution—the electrical adjustable sawhorse.
	Virtues and Vices of Handheld Devices Issue 77, March 2008 This article discusses some of the ergonomic challenges that could result from handheld technology, and recommends strategies to control musculoskeletal disorders from using these devices.
	Applied Ergonomics Course Issue 76, February 2008 The 40-hour Applied Ergonomics Course, offered by the USACHPPM Ergonomics Program, is being held in Myrtle Beach, SC, March 25-28, 2008.
	Navy Ergonomics Risk Assessments Issue 75, February 2008 Three Navy ergonomics risk assessments have been added to the EWG website: Ground Electronics Operations, Hull Repair, and Security.
	Advanced Ergonomics Course, April 2008 Issue 74, February 2008 The Advanced Ergonomics Course is an intensive session packed with practical skills-based training. Registrants must have completed the Army or Navy Applied Ergonomics Course.
	Ergonomics 2008 Issue 73, January 2008 Take a look at the ergonomics training, programs, and events being offered in 2008.
	Psychosocial Factors and Musculoskeletal Disorders Issue 72, December 2007 Addresses the value of considering both work-related and non-occupational (psychosocial and others) sources of exposure when conducting an occupational ergonomic analysis or a study of affected workers.
	AAFES Ergonomic Risk Assessment Issue 71, November 2007 This newsletter is a follow-up to Ergo News #52, published in May 2006, that discussed the need for ergonomic risk assessments at West Coast (WCDC) and Dan Daniel (DDDC) Distribution Centers. Findings, conclusions, and recommendations are provided.
	Advanced Ergonomics Course Offered Issue 70, October 2007 The Advanced Ergonomics Course is designed for installations that (1) already have a well-established ergonomics program and are looking to sharpen analysis skills, (2) need help jump-starting a new program, or (3) are looking for guidance on the next step in the injury reduction process.
	EWG Website Updated Issue 69, September 2007 Just in time for National Ergonomics Month, the workling group website has been updated and features new posters, assessment studies, and tools.
	Deliver with Care: Ergonomic Advice for Pregnancy Issue 68, September 2007 A downloadable poster addresses maintaining neutral postures, performing less physically demanding activities, and engaging in lower impact activities.
	Office Chair Selection Issue 67, August 2007 Detailed guidelines, developed by the Navy Ergonomics Task Action Team, are provided for office chair selection.
	Computer Workstation Posters Issue 66, July 2007 Two newly revised computer workstation posters are available free of charge from the USACHPPM Ergonomics Program.
	Naval Hospital Success Story Issue 65, June 2007 The Navy's successful solution to ergonomic and safety challenges in a hospital operating room in Rota, Spain.
	Ergonomic Protection for Expectant Mothers Issue 64, May 2007 Proper application of ergonomics principles can diminish the probability of pregnancy-related musculoskeletal injuries.
	Exceptional Equipment Interventions Issue 63, April 2007 Cherry Point, NC, Fleet Readiness Center East‚s successful ergonomic interventions are featured: motorized tilt table, scissor lift, and Lazy Susan table.
	CAP Process Issue 62, March 2007 The Computer/Electronic Accommodations Program (CAP) works to ensure that people with disabilities, and those that become disabled, have equal access to the information environment and opportunities in the Department of Defense and throughout the Federal government. This newsletter details the process to follow to apply for CAP assistance.
	New Assistive Technology Issue 61, February 2007 GSA's Center for Information Technology Accommodation (CITA) announces a demonstration of Microsoft Vista--a new assistive technology operating system.
	2007 Ergonomics Training Issue 60, February 2007 Information about Air Force, Army, and Navy training programs for 2007 is provided.
	DESC Best Practices Issue 59, January 2007 DLA's Defense Energy Support Center makes ergonomics a number one priority at all their employees' computer workstations.
	Celebrate National Ergonomics Month Issue 58, October 2006 Use these 52 weekly ergonomics tips to celebrate ergonomics month all year long.
	The Army Ergonomics Program has a New Website! Issue 57, September 2006 Go to http://usachppm.apgea.army.mil//ergopgm/ and see what the Ergonomics Program at the U.S. Army Center for Health Promotion and Preventive Medicine (USACHPPM) has to offer.
	Ergonomics Month is Coming! Issue 56, September 2006 `Ideas and resources to help educate and inspire workers during National Ergonomics Month.`
	Hand-Arm Vibration Threshold Limits Issue 55, August 2006 `Measuring exposure levels of hand-arm vibration is a complicated process. Which document an assessor uses will determine what values are needed to assess the amount of hand-arm vibration exposure.`
	Call for Ergonomics Policies & SOPs Issue 54, July 2006 `USACHPPM calls for installations to provide their ergonomics policies and SOPs to create an archive for use in assisting installations in developing their documentation.`
	Working Smarter Together Issue 53, June 2006 `The successful teaming of the Marine Corps Logistics Base Barstow and the Naval Facilities Engineering Command to reduce WMSDs.`
	AAFES Ergonomics Issue 52, May 2006 `Reducing work-related injuries and illnesses at Army & Air Force Exchange Service (AAFES) Distribution Centers.`
	Pentagon Ergonomics Issue 51, April 2006 `Ensuring ergonomic workplaces for more than 60,000 military and civilian personnel in the Pentagon and other facilities managed by the Washington Headquarters Services.`
	Navy Success Story Issue 50, March 2006 `The Navy successfully treats awkward postures encountered when performing propeller repairs.`
	Air Force Laser Assessment Issue 49, February 2006 `The Air Force Institute for Operational Health's assessment of a handheld laser de-paint system.`
	NEHC Conference 18-23 March 2006 Issue 48, February 2006 `The Navy Environmental Health Center's 45th Navy Occupational Health and Preventive Medicine Workshop.`
	2006 Ergonomics Training Programs Issue 47, January 2006 `Air Force, Army and Navy training programs for 2006 are detailed.`
	New EWG Chair & Army Ergo Program Manager Issue 46, January 2006 `LTC Myrna Callison brings just the right mix of work experience and academic achievement to her new leadership role in the ergonomics community..`
	Ergo Program Assessment Services Issue 45, December 2005 `Ergonomists with the U.S. Army Center for Health Promotion and Preventive Medicine (USACHPPM) offer a variety of assessment services to meet your needs, budget and time constraints.`
	Vibration Exposure Calculators Available Online! Issue 44, November 05 `Use these calculators to determine hand-arm and whole-body vibration exposures.`
	"Simply Wonderful" Ergonomic Intervention Issue 43, September 05 `Congratulations to Lawrence Mullen, an electronics mechanic at NAVAIR Depot Jacksonville, the winner of the 2005 DoD Workplace Safety and Health Forum’s Success Story Competition.`
	Taking a Bite Out of Work-Related Musculoskeletal Disorders: A Guide for Dental Care Providers Issue 42, August 05 `A new USACHPPM publication. This full-color, 20-page booklet provides dental care providers with the information they need to recognize the symptoms of various work-related musculoskeletal disorders (WMSDs), their causes, and their consequences.`
	Spotlight on an Advanced Ergonomics Course Issue 41, March 05 `Announcing USACHPPM's new 2-day Advanced Ergonomics Course designed to enhance installation ergonomics committees' expertise in ergonomics.`
	Spotlight on International News Issue 40, January 05 `How Canada, Norway and Great Britain are solving ergonomics problems.`
	Spotlight on Back Belt Guidance Issue 39, January 05 `Back belts get no "support" from The Surgeon General or DoD.`
	Spotlight on Robins AFB Issue 38, October 04 `Results of a successful ergonomic intervention at the Wheel and Tire Shop.`
	Spotlight on Fort Bragg Issue 37, October 04 `Results of an ergonomic assessment of the range maintenance operations and the recommendations quickly implemented.`
	New Fact Sheets Issue 36, September 04 The DoD Ergonomics Working Group announces three new publications in the fact sheet series. Written for both supervisors and employees, these new fact sheets address ergonomic concerns of laptop users, office workers, and childcare workers.
	A Wealth of Information Issue 35, September 04 `The DoD Ergonomics Working Group has over 150 Army, Navy, and Air Force ergonomics studies and assessment reports on its Web site.`
	The Air Force Zeroes in on the Top Causes of Lost Workday Injuries Issue 34, August 04 Up to this point, military medical data has provided us with a picture of the magnitude of the injury problem and the types of workday injuries, but we haven’t had good information on the causes of these injuries. The Air Force report, Descriptive Epidemiology of USAF Lost Workday Injuries, FY93-FY02, fills that void. This is the best effort thus far at identifying injury causes—a detailed effort that can guide us in creating prevention programs and meeting Secretary Rumsfeld’s 50% reduction challenge.
	EWG Web Site Unveiled Issue 33, June 04 Take some time to explore the working group’s new Web site. When you see what we have to offer, you’ll make our site a “favorite” on your Internet browser.
	Time to Make a Change: Creating a New Culture in Your Organization Issue 32, May 04 What is an organization's "culture"? How do you know when a culture change is needed in your organization? What do you need to make change happen? What are the keys to successful change?
	CAP's Healthy Work Practices Program- Making an Ergonomic Difference Issue 31, May 04 Changes in technology and the information environment present new challenges and opportunities for individuals with disabilities. The DoD established the Computer/Electronic Accommodations Program (CAP) to provide assistive technology to ensure people with disabilities have equal access to the computer and telecommunications environments.
	DoD Military Injury Lost Duty Time Application: System Overview Issue 30, April 04 The Lost Duty Time Application supports the readiness implications of the Secretary of Defense's initiative to capture the Departments' lost time for injuries. This Web-based application displays active duty military injury metrics and lost duty rates generated from data contained within the Defense Medical Surveillance System. Accessible "real time" data displayed by the Lost Duty Time Application provides commanders and policymakers with a critical tool in the development, implementation and management of the DoD's safety initiatives.
	How Does Overtime Impact Workers? Issue 29, March 04 Worker fatigue from overtime hours is very costly in terms of worker health, performance, and morale.
	43rd Navy Occupational Health and Preventative Medicine Workshop Issue 28, Jan 04 “Occupational Vibration in the Navy” and “Advanced Ergonomics Methods” offered at NEHC's 43^rd Navy Occupational Health and Preventive Medicine Workshop.
	President Bush's Safe Workplace Initiative Issue 27, Jan 04 On 9 January 2004, President Bush announced SHARE: Safety, Health, and Return-to-Employment Initiative, a safe workplace initiative for fiscal years 2004-2006. The initiative's four goals cover the most important elements of a strong safety and health management program: lower workplace injury and illness case rates, lower lost-time injury and illness case rates, timely reporting of injuries and illnesses, and fewer lost days resulting from work injuries and illnesses.
	Ergonomics Solutions Issue 26, Nov 03 As we all work toward meeting Secretary Rumsfeld's challenge to reduce preventable accidents by 50%, one of the best ways we can meet this goal is to present ergonomic solutions that have been tested and proven successful.
	Reducing Accidents by 50% Issue 25, Sept 03 Four champions of safety best practices share their perspectives from Navy, Department of Defense, and private industry experience on how to reduce accidents by 50% in two years.
	Conference Key Note Speakers Issue 24, July 03 Raymond J. Fatz, the Deputy Assistant Secretary of the Army for Environment, Safety and Occupational Health, and Connie DeWitte, Deputy Assistant Secretary of the Navy for Safety announced as Ergo Conference keynote speakers.
	Challenge from Secretary Rumsfeld Issue 23, June 03 Ask yourself: How can an Effective Ergonomics Program at my installation address Mr. Rumsfeld's directive to “reduce the number of mishaps and accident rates by at least 50% in the next two years”? And then Ask the Experts!
	DoD Ergo Conference Agenda Issue 22, May 03 The Ergonomics Conference presents 55 sessions in the areas of Program Management, Tools and Innovations, and Medical Case Management.
	Call for Posters Issue 21, Mar 03 The Force Health Protection Conference provides military and civilian members of the force health protection community the opportunity to share their experiences, ideas, and research with others. In addition to platform presentations, short courses, meetings, and exhibits, conference participants may view posters prepared by their peers.
	Alternative Keyboards, issue 20, Feb 03 Do alternative (“ergonomic”) keyboards REALLY reduce carpal tunnel? What is the hard evidence that these keyboards are money well spent to reduce office injuries?
	Office Chairs, issue 19, Feb 03 Compares options for updating this essential piece of office furniture to ensure maximum comfort in the workplace.
	2003 Department of Defense Ergo Conference, issue 18, Jan 03 Previews the forthcoming Force Health Protection Conference to be held in Albuquerque, New Mexico, 11 - 17 August 2003, at which the Department of Defense Ergonomics Working Group will host the ergonomics track.
	Patient Handling Study Details, issue 17, Jan 03 Reports on findings of the recent investigation into patient handling risks at Walter Reed Army Medical Center.
	In-the-Desk Monitors, issue 16, Jan 03 Examines the use of in-the-desk monitors, a unique style of computer furniture.
	Computer Break Poster, issue 15, Nov 02 Full details of this attractive poster, a useful tool to display in the workplace for the overall prevention of work-related musculoskeletal disorders.
	CRT Monitors vs. LCD Monitors, issue 14, Nov 02 Reports on the benefits of liquid crystal display monitors for computers.
	Laptop Usage, issue 13, Oct 02 Gives several practical tips for laptop computer use.
	Back Belt Study, issue 12, Aug 02 Confirms through NIOSH findings that back belts are not useful in preventing back injury.
	Anniston Army Depot Hand Tool Study, issue 11, Aug 02 Reports on the positive results of the use of ergonomically designed impact wrenches.
	Free Scanners Still Available, issue 10, June 02 Avail of this special offer on NCS Opscan 5 scanners for ergonomic surveys while stocks last.
	Patient Handling Study, issue 9, June 02 A two-page report giving details of this important investigation into nursing risk and injury.
	Army Ergo Regulation Extended, issue 8, May 02 Announces the implementation of HQDA Ltr 40-00-01, which prescribes the goals and responsibilities for the Department of the Army Ergonomics Program.
	Conference Presentations Available, issue 7, May 02 Reports on the Forging Ahead Conference held in April 2002.
	Free Scanners, issue 6, Apr 02 A special offer of free scanners designed to scan JR/PD ergonomic surveys.
	Rucksack Packing and Fitting Tips, issue 5, Apr 02 Gives details of the publication of this practical brochure, available in PDF format.
	Ergo Fact Sheets, issue 4, Mar 02 Announces the publication of 21 comprehensive Ergonomic Fact Sheets, published by the DoD Ergonomics Working Group and available in PDF format.
	Conference Keynote Speaker, issue 3, Mar 02 Profiles Margaret M. Seminario, Director of Occupational Safety and Health Administration, American Federation of Labor and Congress of Industrial Relations, keynote speaker at the Forging Ahead Conference.
	Conference Keynote Speaker, issue 2, Feb 02 Profiles Gary L. Visscher, Deputy Assistant Secretary, Occupational Safety and Health Administration, U.S. Department of Labor, keynote speaker at the Forging Ahead Conference.
	Forging Ahead Conference, issue 1, Jan 02 Previews the 2^nd Annual DOD Ergonomics Conference held in Virginia, 29-30 April 2002.

Previews the forthcoming Force Health Protection Conference to be held in Albuquerque, New Mexico,

11 - 17 August 2003, at which the Department of Defense Ergonomics Working Group will host the ergonomics track.