#26953
I will examine this unfortunate side effect, Repetitive Strain Injury (RSI), of the Digital Age in this essay. It has probably affected someone you know. I hope this information will cause you to pause, look at your computer setup and initiate changes that make your computing safer and more comfortable. And if you've already experienced some of RSI's disabling and career-threatening effects, I hope that this article eases some of your anxieties by describing methods, approaches and treatments that have helped others.
Amara.com. Articles>Human Computer Interaction>Ergonomics>RSI
#26124
Avoiding Repetitive-Stress Injuries: A Guide for the Technical Communicator
Writers and editors in particular put in an awful lot of miles at the keyboard every day. For example, I commonly spend a solid 8 hours typing. Writers and editors in particular put in an awful lot of miles at the keyboard every day. For example, I commonly spend a solid 8 hours typing. Then there's that darned mouse. W. Wayt Gibbs, writing in the June 2002 Scientific American, used the Mouse Odometer software (www.modometer.com) to monitor his habits and found that in a single 5-day period, he'd recorded 2440 feet of mouse movement and nearly 22 000 mouse clicks. It's no wonder computer users sometimes experience serious physical problems.It's no wonder computer users sometimes experience serious physical problems.
Hart, Geoffrey J.S. TECHWR-L (2005). Articles>Human Computer Interaction>Ergonomics>RSI
#23278
Avoiding Repetitive-Stress Injuries: A Guide for the Technical Communicator
Writers and editors in particular put in an awful lot of miles at the keyboard every day. One serious problem is the risk of so-called 'repetitive-stress injury' (RSI)--simplistically, any injury that results from overuse of a body part without giving it time to recover. In fact, 'overuse injury' is probably a more immediately obvious term, and given how much time many of us spend using computers, overuse is indeed a risk.
Hart, Geoffrey J.S. TECHWR-L (2004). Articles>Human Computer Interaction>Ergonomics>RSI
#26950
Ergonomics commonly refers to designing work environments for maximizing safety and efficiency.
#26095
Ergonomics As Customer Focused Risk Management
We often see investment in new working environments, expensive software and equipment wasted, because the real needs of the user and their tasks are not taken into account when the purchase or change is made.
System Concepts (2005). Articles>User Centered Design>Ergonomics
#13487
Feng Shui for the Tech Writer's Workspace
It sounds like something from a late-night infomercial: Enhance your productivity by cranking out online help files in half the time! Increase your prosperity by being promoted to head of the documentation department! Improve your interpersonal relations so that Subject Matter Experts (SMEs) are just waiting to review your documents. Ensure a long and healthy life, despite the stress of vaporware product launches! If an advertisement lurking in your emailbox claimed to have an ancient secret to give you all the above, you'd likely press Delete faster than you can say 'looming deadlines.' But what if millions of people--some as well-known and successful as Donald Trump--and major corporations, such as Virgin Airlines, The Wall Street Journal, and Citibank, attested to this 'magic' secret's power? In that case, you just might sit back in your office chair and listen.
Chroust Ehmann, Lain. TECHWR-L (2002). Careers>Workplace>Ergonomics>SMEs
#26398
Good Ergonomics Is Good Economics 
Illustrated case studies of how the application of ergonomics principles has resulted in cost savings and injury reduction for several companies.
Hendrick, Hal. HFES (2005). Articles>Human Computer Interaction>Ergonomics
#10101
Human Factors and Ergonomics Society
Offers general information about the organization, news about the field, links to recently written articles related to Human Factors issues as well as job postings
#26947
Human Factors and Ergonomics Standards
This page lists the primary standards and guidelines for Ergonomics, Human Factors, User Interface Design, and Website Design.
#26094
One of the perennial criticisms of ergonomics consultants is that much of what we say is 'just common sense’. I do not see this as a criticism. Nowadays, there is far too little common sense evident in our daily lives. However, what critics really fail to understand is that what may seem obvious with hindsight was rarely that obvious beforehand.
System Concepts (2005). Articles>Usability>Ergonomics
#10537
Quick Tips for Finding a Human Factors/Ergonomics Job in Industry 
Despite ups and downs in the industrial job market, employment prospects can be outstanding for well-qualified candidates. Regardless of the state of the market, the tips in this brochure will help you improve your chances of success as an industry professional. Employers today have higher expectations for new hires than they did 5, 10, or 20 years ago. Candidates must understand specifics about the employer's industry, but they should also be able to see the big picture involved in a project and to know how to apply human factors principles, frameworks, and techniques. Candidates should have a record of accomplishments, even while in graduate school, such as publications, presentations, and leadership assignments. In all cases, leadership and communication abilities are crucial.
Young, Karen R. and Ronald G. Shapiro. Human Factors and Ergonomics Society (2001). Careers>Human Computer Interaction>Ergonomics
#14501
Relieving Computer-Induced Headaches 
A thorough discussion of why some users get headaches when working at the computer.
Ray, Deborah S. TECHWR-L (1999). Articles>Human Computer Interaction>Ergonomics
#14502
Repetitive Stress Injury Prevention
I received a lot of email following my post asking about writing-specific ergonomics and wrist-strengthening exercises. A lot of people wanted to know what they can do to avoid several common work-related injuries, including: repetitive strain injuries; carpal tunnel syndrome; sore hands, arms, necks, backs; and mousing strain.
Hart, Rowena. TECHWR-L (1999). Articles>Human Computer Interaction>Ergonomics>RSI
#21930
A monitor that's perfect for one job might be inadequate - or overkill - for another. Here's how to find one that'll fit your needs.
Bury, Scott. Adobe Magazine (1996). Articles>Computing>Ergonomics
#26093
Statistics and Percentiles in Anthropometry
If you are more than 95th percentile height or less than 5th percentile, we predict that some everyday objects do not always seem quite the right size for you. Just as you were able to compare your height with others in a given population, it is also possible to make such comparisons for other dimensions such as arm length, hand grip span, seated elbow height etc. Those whose build puts them towards the one extreme or the other will be familiar with the problems of using awkward sized objects.
System Concepts (2005). Articles>Usability>Ergonomics
#26092
Imagine you are positioning an emergency 'rip cord' on a train. How high up should you put it? Anthropometrics are used to describe the 'user' or 'target' population for a product. Answers are given in terms of the range of body dimensions which exist in that population.
System Concepts (2005). Articles>Usability>Ergonomics
#10487
When A Little Twinge Means Big Problems: Avoiding RSI
Could you be doing irreparable damage to your hands and wrists simply by working at the computer for a few hours every day? It may sound like an exaggeration, but for some people even two hours per day of steady typing can cause serious physical problems. The culprit? Repetitive strain injury (RSI)—a condition that can damage the nerves, tendons, and muscles of the freelancer's most basic tool—the hands. RSI can affect the arms, elbows, shoulders, back, and neck. Recovery can require months of rest and physical therapy; for some people, the damage is severe enough that they may never be able to use a computer again. The Bureau of Labor Statistics reports that 332,000 new RSI cases are diagnosed each year.
Milite, George A. Editorial Freelancers Association (1997). Articles>Human Computer Interaction>Ergonomics>RSI
