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This issue of eSharings addresses ergonomic working conditions and options for offering modified work environments. 

I tried to mount my horse like they do in the old cowboy movies - over the rump from the back-end of the horse.  The only problem was that I didn't stay on the horse. I hit the ground and fell down a steep bank. I went down with my ankle bent entirely the wrong way - taking all my weight - though slight as it is - it was enough to screw up my leg real good. It’s almost a third degree sprain.  Crutches and a 10 pound compression cast does not make getting around very easy, hence the reason for the topic of this issue of eSharings.  Thank goodness for being able to work from home when this sort of thing happens. Yippee Kai Yay, as Eric Rabinowitz said to me.

Contact us anytime.  www.hthts.com ~~~ 425-398-9292 ~~~ solutions4u@hthts.com

Walking and working simultaneously. The Walkstation is the fully integrated combination of an electric height-adjustable work-surface with an exclusively engineered, low speed commercial grade treadmill. And it’s the first product in the entirely new FitWork category of products from Details designed to bring healthy habits to sedentary workers while they are actually working.
www.details-worktools.com/product_details.php?pid=740#

The Walk N Work gives us a brand new opportunity to stay healthy while we work. Most of us spend entire days in front of the computer. If you’re going to work this hard you might as well stay fit at the same time. The Walk N Work is a custom treadmill computer station that allows you to utilize your treadmill for a healthy new way to work!

The Flite Tech is an ergonomic leg mounted mouse pad that was developed by an F-16 fighter pilot. The Flite Tech straps to your leg allowing computer users to keep their hands, arms and shoulders in a more natural alignment. Use of the Flite Tech may reduce fatigue and muscle strain associated with long term computer use. Works best with a cordless mouse.

Foot Mouse (Slipper Mouse) with Programmable Pedal. In addition to its wide applications in ergonomics, rehab, assistive technology, clean room (lab), dirty room (car repair), cyber room (video game), etc, Footime foot mouse is also a very powerful input device for audio/video editor, animator, graphic designer, architect, composer, arranger, product designer (CAD, etc), CT scanner, software programmer or any intensive computer user. It's more than a mouse. It's a smart mouse (programmable). A mouse with brain!

Additional resources:

• Just for fun - Corny Ergonomic cartoons.  Seems appropriate to find one with the caption "'Well if you've got a back problem mister, might I suggest you switch to the more comfortable, Ergonomic Palomino."  (Coincidentally, my horse is a palomino.)

• Interesting read: The making of the mouse

• Carpal Tunnel Syndrome Fact Sheet

• Unicor for furniture and other services. Unicor is an active sponsor at our events and others in our industry. "It is the mission of Federal Prison Industries, Inc. (FPI) to employ and provide job skills training to the greatest practicable number of inmates confined within the Federal Bureau of Prisons; contribute to the safety and security of our Nation's correctional facilities by keeping inmates constructively occupied; produce market-price quality goods and services for sale to the Federal Government; operate in a self-sustaining manner; and minimize FPI's impact on private business and labor."

• Aroga. Loads of excellent resources for people with low vision or need unique communication aids, have limited physical access, etc.  They have used equipment too.  "Live. Learn. See. Communicate. These words not only serve as a company motto, but also resonates with every one of our clients because they represent the difference our products make in people's lives. For over 20 years, Aroga has strived to help our clients attain a measure of independence, and with our policy of lifetime technical support, price matching, and extended product warranties, we are Canada's premiere Assistive Technology retailer."

• Ergoweb. Welcome to Ergoweb®, the number one source for ergonomics. We deliver ergonomics consulting and ergonomics training services, carefully selected ergonomic products, publish loads of industry news and information, and host the world's largest ergonomics specific collaboration and discussion community.

• Ergonomics - Ask the Ergonomist. Lots of resource and answers on this site. Ergonomics inc. is a consulting, training, and smart tool development company dedicated to preventing occupational injury and reducing employer costs.

• Ergonomist Job Description, Career as a Ergonomist, Salary, Employment - Definition and Nature of the Work, Education and Training Requirements, Getting the Job. Ergonomists, also known as human factors engineers, assist in the design of machines, tools, and other equipment to ensure that they can be used easily and correctly. The widespread use of computers has created a large demand for ergonomists to make office and home computer stations more user-friendly. They must take into account human factors, which include difficulty in understanding a machine's functions and discomfort when operating the machine. Such factors can cause vision problems, fatigue, physical pain, or even serious chronic conditions if they are not relieved. Ergonomists are also employed in many other fields, where they work with a variety of equipment and furniture ranging from desk chairs to military aircraft monitors.

• Salary Survey Report for Job: Ergonomist

• Occupational Health and Safety. Some really good information on this site as well as some useful statistics. The is from one of their polls:
  Which emerging health and safety issue worries you most?
    - Pandemic flu 23%
    - Nanotechnology 8%
    - Counterfeit PPE 10%
    - Obesity 40%
    - MRSA/staph infections 19%

HOT HOT - RESERVE YOUR ROOM BEFORE THEY ARE ALL GONE

There are a limited number of discounted rooms available at the Loews Coronado in San Diego for The 10th Annual Signature Customer Service and Support Professionals Conference and Expo, September 28 - October 1, 2008.