Professor specialising in Ergonomics and Work study at the Faculté d'ingénierie, Université de Moncton, Moncton, NB, CANADA since 1994. Graduate of Mechanical Engineering (Institute of Biomedical Engineering) at University of New Brunswick (PhD, 2001), Industrial Engineering at TUNS (now part of Dalhousie University, M.A.Sc., 1994), and Systems Design Engineering at University of Waterloo (B.A.Sc., 1989). In 2016, President- Elect of the Association of Canadian Ergonomists / Association canadienne d'ergonomie. Supervisors: Edmund N. Biden, Jeremy Rickards, and Biman Das
Advances in Intelligent Systems and Computing, 2018
The Canadian College for the Certification of Professional Ergonomists (CCCPE) is responsible for... more The Canadian College for the Certification of Professional Ergonomists (CCCPE) is responsible for ensuring certificants (CCPE and AE) meet minimum educational levels and at least four years work practice (for CCPE). The Association of Canadian Ergonomists – Association canadienne d’ergonomie supports the CCCPE but each educational institution determines the number and scope of ergonomics course offerings. Relevant courses exist at institutions across Canada, with the exception of the full-time programs in the Prairie provinces, but in limited number. Only four programs are designed currently to ensure graduates qualify for AE, two in Ontario in English for Kinesiology students and two in Quebec in French open to various undergraduate degree holders. Nineteen post-secondary institutions offer some ergonomics courses but their number and focus varies, most frequently offered within kinesiology or movement science programs. The number of qualified, certified human factors and ergonomic...
IIE Transactions on Occupational Ergonomics and Human Factors, 2015
OCCUPATIONAL APPLICATIONS Two styles of sit–stand workstations were tested in an emergency (911) ... more OCCUPATIONAL APPLICATIONS Two styles of sit–stand workstations were tested in an emergency (911) call center to quantify postural stress and perception variations. The usual manually adjusted electrically controlled sit–stand workstation was compared with a programmable workstation that automatically changed between seated and standing heights, made forward–backward adjustments, and rotated around the user regularly during a 20-minute cycle. Over 2 working days, neck and seated trunk postures improved with the programmable workstation. Manually controlled sit–stand workstations were not adjusted with the regularity recommended to minimize musculoskeletal discomfort. While seven perceptual measures did not significantly vary between workstations, two others worsened with the programmable workstation: general discomfort and back pain. Participant comments suggested opportunities for design refinements. User training was not included here but would normally further improve results. The programmable workstation improved posture over the manually adjusted workstation, although design refinements and user training in office ergonomics are recommended to maximize benefits. TECHNICAL ABSTRACT Background: Call center workers have high musculoskeletal discomfort, and emergency (911) center workers are among the most affected. Despite many centers including manually controlled sit–stand workstations that facilitate postural changes, these are not typically adjusted with the regularity recommended to minimize musculoskeletal discomfort. Thus, underuse or improper use may be barriers to preventing musculoskeletal disorders and discomfort. Purpose: This study investigates posture and perception of physical factors when using a powered dual-surface manually adjustable workstation and a powered programmable adjustable workstation. Methods: Twelve 911 call-center operators participated. For each workstation, postures were recorded using video cameras over a working day. Nine perception factors were captured at the end of each day using a visual analog scale. Results: Programmable workstation use resulted in significantly lower incidence of at-risk postures in the neck and back and more frequent standing. Perception did not vary significantly between workstations except for an increase in back pain and general discomfort with the programmable workstation. Conclusions: This limited sample exposure to a programmable moving workstation concept should be pursued, though with refinements in larger populations to improve musculoskeletal health of workers in high-stress sedentary environments and should be combined with training. Current observations may be applied to improve programmable workstation aspects that are contributing to perceived discomforts.
BACKGROUND: Computer-intensive office work associations with health challenges may intensify foll... more BACKGROUND: Computer-intensive office work associations with health challenges may intensify following COVID-19 pandemic-related changes to home-based office work. OBJECTIVE: To determine working conditions, perception and physical elements affecting health after pivoting to full time home-work. METHODS: An online questionnaire addressed physical, productivity, motivation, and work-practice factors. Photos of the worker in their home-work environment showed side and front-back perspectives. RESULTS: Sixteen questionnaires were received, and 12 respondents supplied photos. Home and office workplace differences varied. Ten felt productivity was affected, most often positively. Four noted increased pain or fatigue intensity, particularly in the eyes, neck / head, lower back, and shoulders. Working posture was not optimal; six didn’t use traditional chair-sitting for up to half the day. Forward and backward trunk inclination accounted for at least 10% of the workday for 12 respondents; ...
Advances in Intelligent Systems and Computing, 2018
Office workers frequently report discomfort in the neck, back and shoulders. Extreme and prolonge... more Office workers frequently report discomfort in the neck, back and shoulders. Extreme and prolonged static postures are known risk factors. Sit-stand workstations encourage regular postural changes and tend to reduce discomfort. Head and upper back deviations were recorded for ten adults entering data using a seated desk and two sit-stand desks following three twenty-minute cycles with 6 or 9 min standing. Participants reported their perceived back pain, neck pain and fatigue following each recording.
Proceedings of the 21st Congress of the International Ergonomics Association (IEA 2021), 2021
This study describes a methodology used to measure the working conditions experienced by people w... more This study describes a methodology used to measure the working conditions experienced by people who normally work in an office, but who have worked from their home because of the Covid-19 pandemic. An online survey and two photographs showing the participant in their principal work location were used. Photo instructions supplied requested a sagittal view and a second perpendicular view of the participant in their usual working posture to allow full analysis applying the Rapid Office Strain Assessment using Kinovea software. Despite the ease of an on-line questionnaire, subsequent reception of photos has been problematic, and recruitment efforts via emails have had limited success. While the current participant population is limited (15), the methodology has been proved operational. This methodology can include participants from various employers to provide a general understanding of how working at home conditions compare with those previously experienced in-office. Photos are not always sent with the questionnaire which precludes ROSA use, but allows other complementary analyses.
In the literature, little is known about the vagal response during exposure to a sit-stand workst... more In the literature, little is known about the vagal response during exposure to a sit-stand workstation. This study measured the vagal response to exposure to a dynamic workstation that moved between sitting and standing heights for different regular durations and documented sex-related response. Fourteen workers (43.6 ± 4.0 years of age; 16.1 ± 4.1 years of experience) who work normally with computers (seven women, seven men of working age) were exposed to a dynamic workstation in their everyday office work environment. Heart rate variability (HRV) was used to measure the vagal activity with SD1, SD2 and MeanRR indicators, and questionnaires measured musculoskeletal health. Indicator of overall physiological response (HRV) to a dynamic workstation appears to be related to sex among a cohort of experienced office workers, where women showed a higher vagal response than men, and men had a decrease in body regions with musculoskeletal discomfort. More attention should provide to sex-sp...
Regular standing interruptions to sedentary work are recommended, but their dosage is understudie... more Regular standing interruptions to sedentary work are recommended, but their dosage is understudied. To measure perception variations associated with different sit:stand ratios, 16 people used six ratios (30:0, 27:3, 24:6, 21:9, 18:12 and 15:15) within 30-min cycles in their normal office environment. At start and end of each workday, study participants recorded their perception of 11 factors on a 10-point scale. Musculoskeletal discomfort in 10 body regions was measured before and after exposure to sit-stand ratios. Overall preferred ratios were recorded. Sit:stand ratio affected all perceived factors, with impact varying. Standing at least 6 min improved results most overall; however, individual perceived factors were least impacted by any of 30:0, 27:3, 24:6 or 21:9. Preferred sit:stand ratios were 15:15, 18:12 and 21:9. Typically, least liked ratios involved briefest standing (30:0, 27:3, 24:6) although two participants least liked 15:15. Understanding these variations contributes to appropriate standing dosage recommendations.
2015 International Conference and Workshop on Computing and Communication (IEMCON), 2015
Ergonomic data obtained from trials with human participants at a number of workstations are evalu... more Ergonomic data obtained from trials with human participants at a number of workstations are evaluated in terms of whether different workstations elicit different fatigue and pain responses. Data is analyzed using a pair of simple machine-learning based classifiers in order to identify activities associated with the workstations that lead to or avoid pain and fatigue. Results indicate that information content sufficient to predict pain and fatigue is present in this data, with evidence of information increase consistent with postures held for a period of time. Additional analysis will be performed to isolate postures associated with fatigue and pain in follow-up work.
Proceedings of the SELF-ACE Joint conference, 2001
Ten men and ten women accomplished six brief, work-oriented activities of daily living (ADL's) in... more Ten men and ten women accomplished six brief, work-oriented activities of daily living (ADL's) including zipping, screwdriver bit changing, cutting with knife and fork, hammering, folding and inserting paper in an envelope, and tying a string. During these, trajectories of skin-mounted markers on anatomical landmarks of the upper limbs were recorded with an VICON 140 motion analysis system. Combinations of these markers were used to determine the location and orientation of the upper arms, forearms and hands. With known anthropometric data, segmental mechanical energy was calculated. Since kinetic energy components were much less than potential energy components during all of the ADL's studied, total segmental mechanical energy was estimated using potential energy alone. A composite measure of upper limb potential energy normalised on body mass distinguished the six tasks and the role of arm dominance within these tasks. This indicates potential energy's sensitivity for ...
International journal of occupational safety and ergonomics : JOSE, 2000
The isometric strength profiles of male and female paraplegics were determined for pull and push ... more The isometric strength profiles of male and female paraplegics were determined for pull and push strengths in the normal, maximum, and extreme working reach envelopes. A computerized isometric strength measurement system was designed and constructed for the purpose. The strongest pull location was at extreme reach vertically above the shoulder and the strength values for males and females were 473 and 318 newtons (N), respectively. The strongest push location was at maximum reach, at vertical (phi) angle of 45 degrees and at horizontal (theta) angle of 45 degrees for males and at 0 degrees for women and the strength values were 235 and 172 N, respectively. The nature of the strength profiles was found to be similar for both the sexes. The pull and push strengths of the female were 77 and 68% that of the male, respectively.
Advances in Intelligent Systems and Computing, 2018
The Canadian College for the Certification of Professional Ergonomists (CCCPE) is responsible for... more The Canadian College for the Certification of Professional Ergonomists (CCCPE) is responsible for ensuring certificants (CCPE and AE) meet minimum educational levels and at least four years work practice (for CCPE). The Association of Canadian Ergonomists – Association canadienne d’ergonomie supports the CCCPE but each educational institution determines the number and scope of ergonomics course offerings. Relevant courses exist at institutions across Canada, with the exception of the full-time programs in the Prairie provinces, but in limited number. Only four programs are designed currently to ensure graduates qualify for AE, two in Ontario in English for Kinesiology students and two in Quebec in French open to various undergraduate degree holders. Nineteen post-secondary institutions offer some ergonomics courses but their number and focus varies, most frequently offered within kinesiology or movement science programs. The number of qualified, certified human factors and ergonomic...
IIE Transactions on Occupational Ergonomics and Human Factors, 2015
OCCUPATIONAL APPLICATIONS Two styles of sit–stand workstations were tested in an emergency (911) ... more OCCUPATIONAL APPLICATIONS Two styles of sit–stand workstations were tested in an emergency (911) call center to quantify postural stress and perception variations. The usual manually adjusted electrically controlled sit–stand workstation was compared with a programmable workstation that automatically changed between seated and standing heights, made forward–backward adjustments, and rotated around the user regularly during a 20-minute cycle. Over 2 working days, neck and seated trunk postures improved with the programmable workstation. Manually controlled sit–stand workstations were not adjusted with the regularity recommended to minimize musculoskeletal discomfort. While seven perceptual measures did not significantly vary between workstations, two others worsened with the programmable workstation: general discomfort and back pain. Participant comments suggested opportunities for design refinements. User training was not included here but would normally further improve results. The programmable workstation improved posture over the manually adjusted workstation, although design refinements and user training in office ergonomics are recommended to maximize benefits. TECHNICAL ABSTRACT Background: Call center workers have high musculoskeletal discomfort, and emergency (911) center workers are among the most affected. Despite many centers including manually controlled sit–stand workstations that facilitate postural changes, these are not typically adjusted with the regularity recommended to minimize musculoskeletal discomfort. Thus, underuse or improper use may be barriers to preventing musculoskeletal disorders and discomfort. Purpose: This study investigates posture and perception of physical factors when using a powered dual-surface manually adjustable workstation and a powered programmable adjustable workstation. Methods: Twelve 911 call-center operators participated. For each workstation, postures were recorded using video cameras over a working day. Nine perception factors were captured at the end of each day using a visual analog scale. Results: Programmable workstation use resulted in significantly lower incidence of at-risk postures in the neck and back and more frequent standing. Perception did not vary significantly between workstations except for an increase in back pain and general discomfort with the programmable workstation. Conclusions: This limited sample exposure to a programmable moving workstation concept should be pursued, though with refinements in larger populations to improve musculoskeletal health of workers in high-stress sedentary environments and should be combined with training. Current observations may be applied to improve programmable workstation aspects that are contributing to perceived discomforts.
BACKGROUND: Computer-intensive office work associations with health challenges may intensify foll... more BACKGROUND: Computer-intensive office work associations with health challenges may intensify following COVID-19 pandemic-related changes to home-based office work. OBJECTIVE: To determine working conditions, perception and physical elements affecting health after pivoting to full time home-work. METHODS: An online questionnaire addressed physical, productivity, motivation, and work-practice factors. Photos of the worker in their home-work environment showed side and front-back perspectives. RESULTS: Sixteen questionnaires were received, and 12 respondents supplied photos. Home and office workplace differences varied. Ten felt productivity was affected, most often positively. Four noted increased pain or fatigue intensity, particularly in the eyes, neck / head, lower back, and shoulders. Working posture was not optimal; six didn’t use traditional chair-sitting for up to half the day. Forward and backward trunk inclination accounted for at least 10% of the workday for 12 respondents; ...
Advances in Intelligent Systems and Computing, 2018
Office workers frequently report discomfort in the neck, back and shoulders. Extreme and prolonge... more Office workers frequently report discomfort in the neck, back and shoulders. Extreme and prolonged static postures are known risk factors. Sit-stand workstations encourage regular postural changes and tend to reduce discomfort. Head and upper back deviations were recorded for ten adults entering data using a seated desk and two sit-stand desks following three twenty-minute cycles with 6 or 9 min standing. Participants reported their perceived back pain, neck pain and fatigue following each recording.
Proceedings of the 21st Congress of the International Ergonomics Association (IEA 2021), 2021
This study describes a methodology used to measure the working conditions experienced by people w... more This study describes a methodology used to measure the working conditions experienced by people who normally work in an office, but who have worked from their home because of the Covid-19 pandemic. An online survey and two photographs showing the participant in their principal work location were used. Photo instructions supplied requested a sagittal view and a second perpendicular view of the participant in their usual working posture to allow full analysis applying the Rapid Office Strain Assessment using Kinovea software. Despite the ease of an on-line questionnaire, subsequent reception of photos has been problematic, and recruitment efforts via emails have had limited success. While the current participant population is limited (15), the methodology has been proved operational. This methodology can include participants from various employers to provide a general understanding of how working at home conditions compare with those previously experienced in-office. Photos are not always sent with the questionnaire which precludes ROSA use, but allows other complementary analyses.
In the literature, little is known about the vagal response during exposure to a sit-stand workst... more In the literature, little is known about the vagal response during exposure to a sit-stand workstation. This study measured the vagal response to exposure to a dynamic workstation that moved between sitting and standing heights for different regular durations and documented sex-related response. Fourteen workers (43.6 ± 4.0 years of age; 16.1 ± 4.1 years of experience) who work normally with computers (seven women, seven men of working age) were exposed to a dynamic workstation in their everyday office work environment. Heart rate variability (HRV) was used to measure the vagal activity with SD1, SD2 and MeanRR indicators, and questionnaires measured musculoskeletal health. Indicator of overall physiological response (HRV) to a dynamic workstation appears to be related to sex among a cohort of experienced office workers, where women showed a higher vagal response than men, and men had a decrease in body regions with musculoskeletal discomfort. More attention should provide to sex-sp...
Regular standing interruptions to sedentary work are recommended, but their dosage is understudie... more Regular standing interruptions to sedentary work are recommended, but their dosage is understudied. To measure perception variations associated with different sit:stand ratios, 16 people used six ratios (30:0, 27:3, 24:6, 21:9, 18:12 and 15:15) within 30-min cycles in their normal office environment. At start and end of each workday, study participants recorded their perception of 11 factors on a 10-point scale. Musculoskeletal discomfort in 10 body regions was measured before and after exposure to sit-stand ratios. Overall preferred ratios were recorded. Sit:stand ratio affected all perceived factors, with impact varying. Standing at least 6 min improved results most overall; however, individual perceived factors were least impacted by any of 30:0, 27:3, 24:6 or 21:9. Preferred sit:stand ratios were 15:15, 18:12 and 21:9. Typically, least liked ratios involved briefest standing (30:0, 27:3, 24:6) although two participants least liked 15:15. Understanding these variations contributes to appropriate standing dosage recommendations.
2015 International Conference and Workshop on Computing and Communication (IEMCON), 2015
Ergonomic data obtained from trials with human participants at a number of workstations are evalu... more Ergonomic data obtained from trials with human participants at a number of workstations are evaluated in terms of whether different workstations elicit different fatigue and pain responses. Data is analyzed using a pair of simple machine-learning based classifiers in order to identify activities associated with the workstations that lead to or avoid pain and fatigue. Results indicate that information content sufficient to predict pain and fatigue is present in this data, with evidence of information increase consistent with postures held for a period of time. Additional analysis will be performed to isolate postures associated with fatigue and pain in follow-up work.
Proceedings of the SELF-ACE Joint conference, 2001
Ten men and ten women accomplished six brief, work-oriented activities of daily living (ADL's) in... more Ten men and ten women accomplished six brief, work-oriented activities of daily living (ADL's) including zipping, screwdriver bit changing, cutting with knife and fork, hammering, folding and inserting paper in an envelope, and tying a string. During these, trajectories of skin-mounted markers on anatomical landmarks of the upper limbs were recorded with an VICON 140 motion analysis system. Combinations of these markers were used to determine the location and orientation of the upper arms, forearms and hands. With known anthropometric data, segmental mechanical energy was calculated. Since kinetic energy components were much less than potential energy components during all of the ADL's studied, total segmental mechanical energy was estimated using potential energy alone. A composite measure of upper limb potential energy normalised on body mass distinguished the six tasks and the role of arm dominance within these tasks. This indicates potential energy's sensitivity for ...
International journal of occupational safety and ergonomics : JOSE, 2000
The isometric strength profiles of male and female paraplegics were determined for pull and push ... more The isometric strength profiles of male and female paraplegics were determined for pull and push strengths in the normal, maximum, and extreme working reach envelopes. A computerized isometric strength measurement system was designed and constructed for the purpose. The strongest pull location was at extreme reach vertically above the shoulder and the strength values for males and females were 473 and 318 newtons (N), respectively. The strongest push location was at maximum reach, at vertical (phi) angle of 45 degrees and at horizontal (theta) angle of 45 degrees for males and at 0 degrees for women and the strength values were 235 and 172 N, respectively. The nature of the strength profiles was found to be similar for both the sexes. The pull and push strengths of the female were 77 and 68% that of the male, respectively.
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