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Anderson Ergonomics Consulting Inc. is a Calgary-based full-service Ergonomics consulting company, with over 20 years providing ergonomics expertise in work station assessments, training, and program development.
Our mission is to provide customers with expert, value-added ergonomic services to create safer workplaces, more productive and healthier employees.
Our monthly newsletter provides you with valuable information and tips to help reduce workplace injuries and claims costs while making you feel better at work and home. If you find this informative,  . If you'd like to contribute, let us know. Please visit our website for more information. |
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Shona Anderson speaks on "Fabulous Furniture Faux Pas: How Ergonomics and Aesthetics Clash" at IFMA breakfast meeting | |
On June 16th at 7:30 am, Shona will present an informative and engaging presentation at the International Facilities Management Association's breakfast meeting. Her topic, "Fabulous Furniture Faux Pas: How Ergonomics and Aesthetics Clash", will examine the pros and cons of the current office furniture and products on the market. Issues to be examined include:
- The different types of furniture and office products on the market and what traps to watch out for and why.
- Employee psychology and how that relates to office layouts and furniture that a company should consider.
- The latest trends, including how the fitness and rehabilitation trends play a role in ergonomic risk or recovery.
You do not need to be a member to attend. For more information or to register, go to the IFMA Calgary Site. |
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Shona Anderson presents "Keeping Your Back Healthy" at Pacific Western Safety Conference | |
Shona was invited this past month to speak at the Pacific Western Safety Conference in Vancouver. Her presentation, entitled "Keeping Your Back Healthy at Work and at Play" focused on the trend in our society towards back injuries and the risk factors associated with them, including lifting heavy loads, twisting, bending, sitting, poor fitness and core strength. She provided methods for reducing these risk factors and changing the trend towards better health.
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Shona Anderson and Sebrina Fystro attend a seminar on "Bridging the Gap Between Technical & Usable Design" | |
Shona and Sebrina attended a seminar put on by the Association of Canadian Ergonomists, discussing Human Factors aspects to consider in the design process. This excellent seminar provided us with useful information we can use with our clients in their Corporate Ergonomics programs. |
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April Showers Bring Flowers ... & Gardening Injuries! | |
Whether or not it is a hobby, many of us spend considerable time each spring, summer and fall working in the garden and around the yard.
Absorbed in tending the garden, transporting heavy objects, pruning shrubs or mowing the lawn, we sometimes forget that gardening activities - with their bending, reaching, twisting and lifting movements - can wreak havoc on our back, shoulders, hips, knees, wrists and various other joints.
And, if you injure yourself gardening, you are likely to take your injuries with you to your workplace and be uncomfortable there as well.
 Poor Posture - Sustained Bend
 Better Posture - Neutral Spine Smart Gardening Tips to Help Prevent Injuries:
The tips for smart gardening are the same as for physical work in a workplace setting such as an office, factory, warehouse or field site.
- A neutral spine is the foundation for good posture. Whether in the garden or at the computer, it is important to strive to maintain all three (3) natural curves of the spine (this includes the lower "lumbar" curve) at all times.
- Gardening is classified as a low-to-moderate intensity exercise. Warming up before gardening will help to decrease your chances of injury. If you are going to be doing a lot of lifting and heavy work, start with a 5 - 7 minute walk and some stretching exercises for the neck, shoulders, back, hips, wrists, hands and ankles. Also consider stretching during rest breaks.
- Sitting on a gardening seat to weed, rather than bending over or kneeling, helps reduce back, knee and wrist strain. Squatting or kneeling for long periods of time may be uncomfortable and hurt your knees.
- Protect your knees when you do kneel by using a kneeling pad or knee pads.
- Raised garden beds allow a person to work comfortably in a more upright posture.
- Bend with your knees and not your back when lifting to ensure you are maintaining a neutral spine (i.e. keep your lumbar curve). Use a wheel barrow or wagon to move heavy loads.
- Change positions frequently. For instance, switch sides when shovelling or raking, to avoid straining one side. If bent over, stand up and do a back bend stretch in the opposite direction
- Reposition your feet or move closer to the job at hand, rather than reaching or twisting excessively.
- Alternate difficult and easy tasks, to allow recovery time for your joints and muscles.
- Wear comfortable, old clothing, so you do not need to contort your body to protect your clothes.
- Limit the duration your arms are held above shoulder height to 5 minutes, then switch jobs.
- Make sure your tools are sharp and well maintained to reduce forces required.
- Grasp tools lightly and work with your wrists in a relaxed and neutral position (straight, thumb up). This will help to decrease the likelihood of repetitive strain injuries of the wrist, fingers, hand and forearm.
Use the Right Tools:
Simply because the label states that a gardening tool is "ergonomic" does not mean it will be the right tool for you. Always look at what is available and try several before you buy.
Using a Gardening Claw keeps you upright
Good ergonomic tools will have features for added comfort such as:
- Lightweight construction material to reduce fatigue
- Longer handles to permit an upright posture
- Larger, pliable non-slip grips so you needn't grip tightly
Often you can modify old tools, rather than purchase new ones. For example, try adding padded tape to enlarge grips and use PVC pipe to extend the length of handles. |
Product Review: Fiskars Weed Remover | |
Some tools help us maintain more upright postures and enable us to be more comfortable. This tool was chosen because we all have pesky weeds that require removal. The marketing brochure indicates it is "the environmentally friendly option for a beautiful weed-free lawn. It safely removes dandelions, thistles and other invasive weeds and eliminates the need for broadleaf herbicide use, reducing toxicity for children and pets. Great for use in municipalities with cosmetic pesticide bans!"
We also like it because it enables you do remove the weed without bending or stooping.
 This product is available at Home Depot. |
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Featured Stretch: Hip & Glute Stretch |
This stretch is for your benefit to increase your flexibility and comfort. You may feel tension and tightness while performing this stretch, but you should not feel pain. If you feel pain, back off the stretch a little until it feels more comfortable. If you have a current injury or feel uncomfortable doing this stretch, please check with your caregiver prior to continuing this exercise to ensure it is appropriate for you.
Instruction: Sitting down, cross one foot over the opposite knee. Sit up tall. Keeping the raised knee out to the side and the hips level, gently bend forward at the waist, keeping back straight. Hold 30-60 seconds. Relax and repeat with the other leg.
This is an extremely beneficial stretch if you do a lot of sitting, bending, crouching or squatting. It allows you to regain some of the mobility and hip range of motion you might lose over time as a result of sitting for extended periods of time as well as poor posture and age. Regularly stretching your hips joints and your glutes will help to take some stress off of your lower back, keep the discs in your spine healthy and assist in allowing you to maintain a better overall posture. It may also help you prevent injuries from occurring.
Request a copy of our Stretching Guides for a series of excellent stretches to do in your office or industrial environment. |
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Monthly Tip: Injury-Free Gardening Tips |
Things to Keep in Mind When Gardening:
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Pace yourself
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Wear suitable clothing and shoes
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Stretch frequently
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Maintain a good posture
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Choose your tools wisely
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Wear gloves
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Change positions frequently
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Alternate tasks
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Take breaks
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Sit to weed
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Kneel on a padding or knee pads
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Avoid reaching and twisting
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Bend and lift safely
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Use a wheelbarrow
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Raise your garden beds
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Stop gardening if you are in pain
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FAQs: What Are the Most Common Gardening Injuries? |
Back Pain - Too many hours spent bent over while seeding, weeding, watering and so forth can lead to a very sore back, as can hauling big sacks of product or wheelbarrows full of soil or rocks. Always bend at the knees (not the waist) when lifing (refer to March's newsletter for tips on proper lifting), and use arm and thigh muscles to push and pull heavy objects, as opposed to using your back. If a load is too heavy, lighten it and make more than one trip, or recruit someone else to help you lift or pull. Also consider using long-handled tools since you won't need to bend over as far and use slow, deliberate movements instead of rough or jerky ones. Tools with smaller blades that weigh less may also help you avoid straining your muscles. Aside from using the correct posture and tools, take frequent breaks and walk around and stretch; staying in the same position for too long can contribute to a sore back later that night or the next morning.
Repetitive Strain - As is the case with typing, repetitive motion can lead to sore muscles in your arms, hands, shoulders and neck. Prevent this problem by alternating tasks in your garden so that you are not working on the same one for extended periods of time. As is the case with avoiding a sore back, stand up and stretch at least every hour. Also be sure to set realistic goals for yourself so that you don't rush to try complete a huge project in a short period of time, which can cause you to over-work and lead to injuiries and pain.
Blistering - The rough handles on many gardening tools are the perfect recipe for a few major blisters after hours spent holding and digging. A good pair of gloves designed specifically for gardening will allow you to work for hours while remaining blister-free.
Sun Exposure - As is the case with any outdoor activity, too much time spent in the sun can lead to sunburn, dehydration, or in extreme cases, heatstroke. Before heading outdoors, be sure to slather on some sunscreen at an adequate SPF level for your skin type. Re-apply it every two hours or if you're skin is wet for an extended period of time. Also be sure to wear a hat, as a sunburned head is very painful and can lead to a serious headache or contribute to heatstroke. Be sure to take frequent breaks and drink plenty of water, especially if you are outdoors during the hottest time of the day, typically between 10 a.m. and 2 p.m. Finally, ensure all other family members do all of the above.
Chemical Exposure - Be aware and take precautionary measures as the ingestion of or heavy exposure to fertilizers and pesticides can cause serious illness and even death. The chemicals in fertilizers can be toxic and can even react violently with other chemicals. Many pesticides that are effective at killing insects can also cause damage to humans. Some pesticides can cause heavy damage to the respiratory, digestive, and nervous systems depending on how you are exposed to them. If you or someone you know inhales, ingests, or is otherwise exposed to fertilizers and pesticides, seek medical help immediately. Call 911 as soon as possible to learn what steps you can take before paramedics arrive. If there is no ambulance service in your area, drive the victim to the nearest emergency room. |
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