Champion Seating Company showed the MVP 911 Control Room Dispatch Chair, which was introduced at the National Ergonomic Conference and Expositions in Las Vegas in 2002. This chair was designed for ergonomic comfort and at an unbeatable price compared to competitive manufacturers. With a large Memory Foam seat, Schukra lumbar, and a fully adjustable headrest, the MVP 911 Control Room Dispatch Chair was the talk of the show, with a selling price just over $500.00 Attendees raved about the ergonomic comfort, quality and value of the MVP 911 Control Room Dispatch Chair. Additionally the chair can be customized with lift and pivot arms and Champion's new Extreme gel arm pad.

Real World. Real People. Real Results.

Founded in 1948, The Institute of Industrial Engineers is the premier society dedicated to serving the professional needs of industrial engineers and all individuals involved with improving quality and productivity. IIE has over 16,000 members worldwide and more than 300 chapters in 13 countries.

Ergonomics Programs
10:00 a.m.  -11:30 a.m.
Sell Your Ergonomics Program to Your CFO!
Jack Kester and Tom Hilgen, Marsh USA Inc.
Intermediate, Advanced
Are you having trouble getting senior management's attention on ergonomics? This presentation will help you overcome perception issues and other barriers to attain senior management interest, support, and investment. Learn how to quantify the total measurable impact of your ergonomic solutions to obtain funding for future ergonomic improvements.

Performance Measurement for an Ergonomics Program in Industry
Terry Collins and Jon-David Gee, University of Arkansas
Basic, Intermediate
This research study evaluates multiple performance criteria for an ergonomics program in a manufacturing setting. A Delphi study was conducted using ergonomics experts from across the country. As a result, the study identifies the most effective and feasible performance measures for a company to use in an ergonomics program for the workplace.

Ergonomic Cost Savings - Facts and Fiction
Kevin Vidmar, Cookson Group plc
Basic, Intermediate
One common problem with selling ergonomics is management's perception that it cost more than it saves. To combat this, managers and professionals are increasing searching for any costs they feel could be eliminated/avoided by applying ergonomics. This presentation will discuss real concerns with "stretching" for savings, and how senior management might correctly challenge these. Real world examples of the "traps" will be presented, along with some more supportable cost justification methods.

1:00 p.m. - 2:30 p.m.
A Six Sigma Approach Renovate the Raytheon Corporate EHS Audit Protocol
Madina Joshi, Raytheon Corporaton
All levels
Absent compliance standards for ergonomics the corporation is self-regulating ergonomics using a Corporate-wide Audit Protocol. Speaker will discuss the details of improving the Corporate Audit protocol using a Six Sigma baseline study. A statistical analysis of the existing audit protocol was used to identify those program elements that have the greatest correlation with injury reduction.

Six Sigma Problem Solving Process Applied to Ergonomic Team Projects
Duane Hodsoll, General Electric, and Lori Butler, GE Power Systems
Basic, Intermediate
This presentation will provide an inclusive overview of Six Sigma methodology as it relates to addressing ergonomic hazards in the workplace. The class will cover case studies from start to finish to demonstrate the ease of Six Sigma integration with ergonomics. You will get the concepts and tools you need to utilize this proven methodolgy at your facility.

The Metrics of Success in Ergonomics
Greg Worrell, Worrell Consultants, LLC
Intermediate
Qualitative and quantitative measurements can be used to demonstrate success in ergonomics. Do you know what to measure and how to measure it? Cost data for many of these metrics can be collected and integrated into a return-on-investment. The metrics of success in ergonomics are an essential tool for the recognition and survival of your program.

3:00 p.m. - 4:30 p.m.
Developing High Performance Ergonomic Teams
Vicki Missar, eVolve Inc.
All levels
Today's economy requires increased results if programs are to survive downsizing and cuts. The purpose of this session is to help participants understand, create and maintain themselves as a High Performance ergonomics team within their organization. Program objectives cover seven principles that all high performing teams share and how to avoid the pitfalls of traditional ergonomic teams.

Elements of a Successful Participatory Ergonomics Team
Ben Zavitz, Boeing Commercial Airplanes
Intermediate
This presentation will highlight the Boeing Skin and Spar Ergonomics Team process for evaluating jobs, implementing solutions, documenting results, getting employee and management support and commitment. Several ergonomic improvements will be presented.

Continued Improvement when a Successful Ergonomic Program has been Achieved
Keith White, Texas Instruments, Inc.
Intermediate, Advanced
Prior to 1999, a semi-conductor plant experienced 18+ ergonomic recordables/year (11+ LT/RD). In 1999, with ergonomics incorporated, retooling increased manufacturing product weight (3.6 lbs to 12.2 lbs). In 2002, an alarming increase in discomfort/FA claims surfaced although zero ergonomic recordables existed. Releasing program control to employees was initiated. Placing ownership into employees' hands should addresses behaviors that drive continuous improvement. This presentation highlights the process to gain employee ownership and provides examples of successes and unforeseen challenges.

Office Applications
10:00 a.m. - 11:30 a.m.
Comparisons between Notebook and Desktop Workstaton Configurations and Performance
Erin Walline, Texas A&M University
Basic, Intermediate
This presentation will outline results of a study executed to determine if there were differences in body postures and visual and performance measures among subjects using CRT computer monitors compared to notebook computer flat panel displays. Applications include insight into the postural attributes of a person using a notebook computer compared to a desktop configuration, as well as applications for the office regarding workstation set-up

A Process for Assessing Office Chair Usability
Karin Barsness, 3M Corp.
All levels
A basic design of experiments process was adapted to determine office chair usability for a population of administrative, laboratory, and engineering personnel. The presentation will include: --creation and implementation of the testing process; --questions asked of the test population and criteria used; and --how to integrate goals from various departments into the test process.

Using Innovation to Successfully Deploy a Corporate Ergonomic Program Globally
Kathleen Foster and Mark Bartkowski, ChevronTexaco Corp.
Basic
In 2001 ChevronTexaco implemented a computer-related repetitive stress injury (RSI) prevention program. It was adopted as a corporate-wide program; however, many of the components reflected North American technology and infrastructure. Innovative approaches were needed to successfully deploy the program globally. Examples include: regional training for program administrators, workstation evaluators and local health care providers; "low tech" solutions and creativity to overcome logistical barriers to good workstation set-ups; and, onsite implementation assistance by U.S.-based specialists.

1:00 p.m. - 2:30 p.m.
Office Ergonomics Knowledge: Influences on Knowledge and Body Postures
Michelle Robertson, Liberty Mutual Research Ctr. For Safety and Health
Basic
An instructional systems design model was used to create an office ergonomics training program. We hypothesized that the training would impact worker's office ergonomics knowledge and ultimately lead to changes in body postures. A pre/post training knowledge test was given to all trainees, and observations were made of the participants workstations and body postures. Significant increases in office ergonomics knowledge was revealed. Observational results indicated that the training groups exhibited higher level behavioral translation and changes in body postures.

Implementing a Risk-Based Program to Prevent Computer-Related Repetitive Stress Injuries
Julie Rankin, ChevronTexaco Corp. and Kimberley Lopez, Remedy Interactive
Intermediate
ChevronTexaco implemented a repetitive stress injury (RSI) prevention program after computer-related RSIs grew to >25% of total recordable injuries and illnesses. The program is risk-based to target ergonomic resources most effectively and allow rigorous follow-up for people at higher risk. Employees complete an online risk assessment annually; follow-up measures depend on risk category (Low, Moderate or High). ta show that the program has been effective in reducing RSI risk, targeting preventive resources, and engaging employees.

Facility Ergonomics: Optimizing the Entire Office Equation 3
Robert Nerhood, The Ergonomics Center of North Carolina
Basic, Intermediate
For many Ergonomists, the job is considered complete when the individual employee's office workstation issues have been addressed,. However, experience shows that ergonomics must be addressed at the individual and the facility levels. In this session, the spotlight shifts focus away from the individual to provide an overview of facility ergonomics and highlight the use of traditional industrial engineering concepts, such as flow and layout, rder to optimize the total office environment.

OSHA Panel
3:00 p.m.-4:30pm
Update on OSHA's Comprehensive, Four Prong Approach to Ergonomics
Kim Bosgraaf-Lazor, Special Assistant to Assistant Secretary of OSHA,and other OSHA experts will lead this open discussion.

A panel from the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) will provide an update on the ergonomics guidelines and other activities that are part of the Comprehensive Ergonomics Plan. The session will provide an opportunity for participants to get first hand information on the status of OSHA's efforts in ergonomics and ask questions of the panel.