Ergonomics Expo set for July 17 at Study Center

The Laboratory's Institutional Ergonomics Committee will host an Ergonomics Expo from 9 a.m. to noon, July 17, in the Jemez and Cochiti rooms of the J. Robert Oppenheimer Study Center at Technical Area 3.

Graciela Perez, the Lab's ergonomic project leader in Industrial Hygiene and Safety (HSR-5), said yardsticks that can help Lab workers determine proper heights and distances for individual workstation design will be provided free of charge to attendees.

Mirrors also will be provided to workers who work with their back to office entrances. The mirrors teach workers to look before they turn to avoid awkward twisting, she explained.

The event is co-sponsored by Nonproliferation and International Security (NIS), Computer and Computational Sciences (CCS), Information Management (IM), Computing, Communication and Networking (CCN) and Health, Safety and Radiation Protection (HSR) divisions.

Ergogenesis (Bodybilt), Neutral Posture, Hag, Hayworth and Herman Miller will display samples of ergonomic chairs. Other distributors and manufacturers scheduled to present their products include Workrite, 3M, Anthro, Goodman's, Contract Associates, Holman's, Computer Corner and Boise Cascade.

A new line of ergonomic chairs also will be introduced by RFM, a company that manufactures office equipment.

Perez said the expo also features displays called "ergonomics at work, home and play." There also will be information from Occupation Medicine (HSR-2) and a table where people may test their levels of stress and learn how to relax using biofeedback.

Peak grip strength measurements also will be provided by HSR-2.

Attendees who fill out a short ergonomics survey will receive a Pagepal, a device used to hold documents, and a stress ball, which is used to increase hand circulation.

"This is the first expo held this year and we look forward to helping attendees learn how to work smarter and not harder as well as injury-free," Perez said.

-- Michael Carlson

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