Celebrated in October each year, Global Ergonomics Month is an international outreach campaign promoting human-centred design through the science, application and profession of ergonomics or human factors. These disciplines are focused on optimizing human well-being as well as overall system performance by proactively designing work and work systems to fit the people interfacing with them in ways that improve efficiency, productivity, health, safety and comfort. Ergonomics is ultimately good for business and good for people.

OHCOW is contributing to the Month by launching our new app (PainPoint) which translates body mapping and task characteristics into recommendations and an action plan for individuals which can be shared to start a dialogue about workplace solutions.  Built with the assistance of the Canadian Centre for Occupational Health and Safety, it will be officially launched at an Ontario Prevention System event on October 14^th, but is available now at:  www.ohcow.on.ca/painpoint .  Be part of our user experience group -- try it, share it, and tell us how you like it at painpoint@ohcow.on.ca

OHCOW is also co-hosting an event for workers and their advocates with the Workers Health and Safety Centre (WHSC) in Hamilton on October 25 & 26^th:  From Pain to Prevention:
Taking Action to Prevent MSDs ( Musculoskeletal Disorders) see the MSD conference flyer, agenda, and conference registration form for more information.

In addition, check out the Ministry of Labour’s Ergonomics Month website for a listing of more events, tools and resources to raise awareness of this important subject:
http://www.labour.gov.on.ca/english/hs/ergonomics.php

And carrying the theme a few weeks longer, attend one of these OHCOW workshops in Southwest Ontario:

Seminar Series (Lunch & Learn): “Taking a Stand Against Sitting”

Recently labelled as the new smoking, sitting consumes a large portion of our daily lives and unfortunately even becomes habit. Prolonged sitting has been associated with an increased risk of cardiovascular disease, diabetes, and even death. But how much do we really sit in a typical day and what are we at risk of? This session will discuss the harmful effects of prolonged sitting and examine the difference between habitual and conscious movement and why breaking one’s habit can often be more difficult than we think. Recommendations for avoiding prolonged sitting will be provided as they relate to both the workplace and everyday life.