Ergonomics involves designing workplaces and work tools to be used easily, efficiently and effectively by people. The overall goal of this applied science is to promote health and productivity in the workplace. Where ergonomic principles are not applied, chronic musculoskeletal disorders such as tendinitis of the arm and hand, nerve entrapments and back injuries may be common.

The University of California provides ergonomic consulting services to companies, labor organizations and government agencies via the Ergonomics Program. In a climate where cumulative trauma disorders and the associated workers' compensation costs continue to increase, these services are directed to identifying the risk factors to such disorders and assisting clients in reducing the hazards created by these risk factors.

Examples of the impact of such services are:

• At a manufacturing plant quality inspectors examined 4,000 products per day; the job required repetitive and intense hand maneuvers. The number of workers' compensation cases of carpal tunnel syndrome and tendonitis was rising. The workstations were redesigned to reduce muscular loading of the shoulder muscles and repetitive pinching.
• The workstations and tasks of court stenographers from a County in the Bay Area were redesigned to reduce hand and wrist fatigue and increase productivity.
• A job analysis at a Hazardous Waste Facility led to improved materials handling procedures, thereby lowering the risk of back injuries.

These consulting services are provided by trained and experienced industrial engineers and health professionals. The range of services offered include:

• VDT and other workstation evaluation and modification;
• Job evaluations combined with recommendations for modifications;
• Tool design to reduce hand and forearm fatigue;
• Training of employees and supervisors in ergonomic concepts, proper work break patterns and exercises;
• Review of medical management protocol for employees with cumulative trauma disorders;
• Design of an effective Ergonomics Program to meet in-house needs and satisfy pending OSHA Ergonomic regulations;
• Assistance with the evaluation and selection of furniture and hand tools.

Consultation relationships are as confidential and professional as with private consultants. Our hourly rates range from $150-$183. If we can provide you with further information please let us know.

Client List

The University of California Ergonomics Program provides consultation, training and research to major corporations, manufacturers, government agencies, labor organizations and law firms. A partial list of these clients follows:

• American National Standards Institute
• Apple Computer
• Bank of America
• Blue Cross of Northern California
• Bronson, Bronson & McKinnon (San Francisco)
• California Academy of Science
• California Cedar Products
• California OSHA
• California Pipe Trades Council
• City of San Jose
• County of San Mateo
• County of Santa Cruz
• Federal OSHA
• Herman Miller
• Hotel and Restaurant Employees Union - Local 2
• IBM
• Integrated Device Technology
• Intel
• Interactive Development Environments
• Kaiser Permanente
• Kemper Insurance
• Kendall Futuro
• Kensington Microware Limited
• Microsoft Corporation
• Monterey County
• National Safety Council
• Pacific Bell
• Pacific Gas & Electric
• Peet's Coffee & Tea
• Portola Associates
• Rainin Instruments
• Republic Indemnity Company of America
• Roofers Labor Management Committee
• South San Francisco School District
• Steelcase
• Superior National Insurance Company
• Teamsters Local 752/Phoenix Mailers Union
• United Airlines
• Unocal
• Veterans Affairs
• Zenith Insurance