Still a Pain in the Back

Fellowes, in partnership with BackCare, the charity for healthier backs, has launched Ergonomix, a nationwide month-long campaign that aims to reduce the risk of RSI, back pain and other musculoskeletal disorders by raising awareness of workstation assessments and ergonomics in the workplace.

Not only do musculoskeletal disorders cost businesses £600 million per year and ten million lost work days, but research commissioned by Fellowes, a supplier of workspace solutions, shows that 36% of the UK’s office workers have never had a formal workstation assessment, with a further 12% admitting that their last assessment took place so long ago they can no longer remember the advice they were given. With over 75% of employees claiming that they would consider suing their employer over a workplace injury , incorrect posture is no longer an issue that businesses can afford to ignore.

Fellowes and BackCare are leading the fight against workstation illnesses and have set up a dedicated website with detailed information on how to protect your workforce – and your bottom line – by conducting regular workstation assessments and providing ergonomic products.

“Often, a low-cost investment by businesses can help employees avoid potentially costly long-term injuries,” said Dr Dries Hettinga of BackCare. “The ROSPA (The Royal Society for the Prevention of Accidents) estimates that workstation related illnesses cost UK businesses £1,000 per employee, per annum. Yet simple information and products designed to provide safe, comfortable and productive working – such as wrist rests and back supports – can cost as little as £10 and won't need replacing for at least three years.”

Louise Shipley, Fellowes’ ergonomic expert, agrees: “With conditions such as thoracic outlet syndrome, carpal tunnel syndrome, tendonitis, tenosynovitis, tennis elbow and trigger finger, amongst others, frequently attributed to poor posture in the workplace, businesses can no longer be complacent.”

“Fellowes has created a dedicated health and safety toolkit, containing detailed information on how to prevent injury, as well as an interactive workstation assessment CD. Order yours, assess your business and be sure to stay protected.”

Associated Link: Ergonomix

All change at the top for System Concepts
Source: System Concepts Ltd, 3 July 2009
 
Leslie Fountain has been promoted to joint Managing Director of leading usability consultancy System Concepts.

Life in UCD immortalised in fiction: you couldn't make it up
Source: UN, 2 July 2009
 
Sarah Herman's fictitious book on life in a user-centred design company has hit the shelves and The Guardian's book pages...

Interfaces Magazine - Issue 79: The Education Issue
Source: Interaction Group, 1 July 2009
 
The latest issue of Interfaces is now available as a free download from the Interaction Website.

Two new Behavioural research Tools from Noldus
Source: UN, 30 June 2009
 
Tool updates make on-site behavioural data collection easier.

Cell Phones that Listen and Learn
Source: MIT Technology Review, 29 June 2009
 
New software tracks a user's behavior by monitoring everyday sounds.

Top Six Don’ts for Usability Testing
Source: FutureNow Inc., 27 June 2009
 
Six tips for creating quality usability tests to ensure useful feedback from testers.

Usability: ‘Lovely software. But I can’t work it’
Source: FT.com, 26 June 2009
 
In a recent survey by Global Graphics, 77 per cent of office workers estimate they lose up to one hour a week because business software is difficult to use.

And what do you do?
Source: Dexo Design, 25 June 2009
 
How do you describe your job role? Here are the results of a recent 'Preferred UX/UI Title' Poll.

Most Doctors cite Usability as critical to Electronic Health Record Adoption
Source: TMCNet, 24 June 2009
 
It's all about 'meaningful use'.

Glossy monitors look good but can hurt
Source: QUT, 23 June 2009
 
A new advisory cites research which suggests high gloss monitors make users sit awkwardly.