Workshops

Pre-conference Workshops - Monday, March 18

Take advantage of the opportunity to enhance your skills and boost your learning by participating in a pre-conference workshop. Learn from experienced practitioners who will address your concerns about ergonomics. They are open to all registered conference attendees and require a separate fee.

8 a.m. – Noon

Ergo 101: The Basics of Ergonomics
Kim Monroe, KM Ergonomics

Continuing an Applied Ergonomics Conference tradition of offering conference registrants a low-cost, high-quality seminar, this workshop is intended to help those who are new to the ergonomics discipline or have ergonomics responsibilities. It will provide an introduction to fundamental ergonomics principles, emphasize the identification of risk factors, and review the elements of effective ergonomics processes. Examples and case studies from a variety of industrial settings as well as office ergonomics issues will be reviewed. (Basic)

Keeping Ergonomics Programs Fresh and Successful
Jose Banaag, Honda of America; Kevin J. Costello, United States Ergonomics; Kelly O’Connor, Texas Instruments; Holly Wick, 3M EHS Operations

Geared to those having an existing ergonomics program, this workshop will discuss approaches to keep programs from floundering or being just another “flavor of the month.” Attendees will be asked to share issues within their own organizations that have kept the program from growing or being as successful as planned. Industry experts will share their thoughts on approaches to overcome these obstacles so that the program continues to be dynamic and sustainable, and, perhaps, even able to rise to the next level. (Basic/Intermediate)

Introduction to Operational Human Excellence: New Ergonomic Tools and Methods for Lean-Ergonomic Deployments
Ben Zavitz, General Dynamics; Scott Smith, Lockton Insurance Brokers

Lean Six Sigma is a management approach often used to improve the quality of manufacturing processes. This workshop is an introduction to operational human excellence and the various ergonomic tools and methods that have been designed to integrate into lean activities. They include Rapid Ergonomic Baseline Assessment of Risk (REBAR) for screening jobs, ergonomic fish-bone diagrams for identifying root causes; Process Improvement for Productivity and Ergonomics (PIPE) for identifying time and labor savings from ergonomic solutions, PICK charts to categorize solutions and develop improvement plans; and ROI calculations. Participants will learn how to use these tools and methods through hands-on sessions and case studies. (All)

BCPE Exam Primer - An Introduction to the Ergonomics Formation Model and Exam Expectations
Valerie Rice, General Ergonomics

This course will provide an introduction to the Board of Certification in Professional Ergonomics (BCPE); the Ergonomist Formation Model, which forms the basis for the body of knowledge necessary to become certified as an ergonomics or human factors professional; and the new examination to be offered by BCPE in 2013. During this overview, the instructor will provide a description of the required and elective elements of the formation model and examples of test questions for each, as well as a list of references suggested for exam review. Participants will be encouraged to ask questions and discuss the test question examples. (Intermediate/Advanced)

1 – 5 p.m.

Narrowing Your Choices: Selecting the Right Computer Workstation Equipment for Your Workplace
Sheryl S. Ulin, The University of Michigan Center for Ergonomics; Janet Peterson, JP Ergonomics

This workshop will assist decision makers and individuals in selecting appropriate computer workstation equipment. This hands-on, practical session will include:

Description of work-related musculoskeletal disorders (WMSDs) risk factors associated with computer workstations
Discussion of work equipment features (What is really "ergonomic" and helpful, and what is non-value-added?)
Presentation of interactive case studies with video examples from office workstations
Opportunity to try out and evaluate/rate pieces of office equipment including chairs, mice, and keyboards or keyboard trays (Basic/Intermediate)

Ergonomics Methods to Reduce Injury Risk Among Obese and Aging Employees
Gary Allread, The Ohio State University; Vicki Missar, Aon Risk Solutions

Many companies struggle with creating workplaces that keep all employees safe, including those who are overweight or working into their later years. This workshop will provide both short- and long-term strategies for addressing these issues in office and production environments. It will include demonstrations, case studies, and brainstorming sessions that focus on workplace design considerations and modifications that accommodate these employees. Participants will also join in discussions on how to alter existing ergonomics assessment tools to account for the increasingly diverse workforce. (All)

Operational Human Excellence Part 2: New Ergonomic Tools and Methods for Six Sigma-Ergonomic Deployments
Ben Zavitz, General Dynamics; Scott Smith, Lockton Insurance Brokers

Lean Six Sigma is a management approach often used to improve the quality of manufacturing processes. This workshop is a continuation of the Introduction to Operational Human Excellence workshop with a focus on advanced measurement tools and methods designed to integrate into Six Sigma projects. Specific topics to be discussed include how ergonomics fits in Six Sigma and the facts and data that are necessary for success; epidemiological evidence for work-related musculoskeletal disorders and the specific risk factors that need to be measured; introduction into the advanced risk assessment methodology STEER (System To Evaluate Ergonomic Risk) that measures risk factor levels; sigma calculators to identify ergonomic risk level defects; ergonomic risk process capability charts; solution matrices to categorize solutions and develop improvement plans; and using control charts and plans to control, sustain and scale improvements. Participants will learn how to use these tools and methods through hands-on sessions and case studies. (Intermediate/Advanced)

Biomechanical Job Analysis Using the Three-Dimensional Static Strength Prediction Program (3DSSPP)
Chuck Woolley, The University of Michigan Center for Ergonomics

This workshop will provide a general overview of the 3DSSPP, including hands-on demonstrations. The 3DSSPP is an analysis tool used to predict the physical capabilities of a population to perform a particular task. The stress on the body and the strength requirements of a given task are estimated based on the entered posture, exertion requirements, and anthropometry of the workforce. Participants will receive a time-limited version (one month) of the program and should bring a laptop computer. (Software will be provided prior to the course for installation.) The topics will include data collection and entry, biomechanics overview, output interpretation, and special features review. Time will be allotted for questions. (All)