Monday, September 20, 2010

Core factors you should consider

In my travels, I have had occasion to bear witness to equipment purchase decisions that have not worked out optimally. In many cases this is made manifest by equipment that is either not used, under used or at worst engenders an elevated level of ergonomic risk requiring amelioration. Whatever cost savings may have been anticipated are quickly consumed by assessments, retro-fitting and in some cases compensation costs. While it is unrealistic to think it possible to plan for every possible need, there are in my opinion some core factors that should help to foster solid purchase decisions. In priority order these include;

- Utility – Does the product meet the requirements of the intended application? This of course requires that the intended application be defined. Within this definition, consideration should be given to the generalized characteristics of the end user and what they are being asked to do. From there a menu of features can be identified from which suitable products can be selected. - Integration – How do the existing tools of the office/workstation synch up? In other words will they create synergies or will they be at odds with one another. - Cost – Cost is an important consideration but only after the preceding considerations are taken into account. Purchase decisions solely based on cost usually lead to poor compliance (ie relatively low percentage of the end users actually used the equipment procured for them). As a result the cost of owning the equipment acquired increases.

One of the key considerations that will establish the roots for the above factors to flourish is the service extended to the client by the vendor. Product knowledge, ergonomic expertise and the ability/willingness to provide supported in field product evaluations are important ingredients in an effective client vendor relationship. Vitruvian Ergonomics strives to deliver this type of service to its clients in the interests of providing the right product, for the right application at the right cost. We look forward to working with you. Until next time …. be well.

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Steven Watson, Vitruvian Ergonomics
We work with our clients to find the right product for the intended application.

Please visit our website at www.vitruvianergonomics.com
Follow our Blog at vitruvianergonomics.blogspot.com

Contact Us

Wednesday, June 23, 2010

Introducing Vitruvian Ergonomics

Welcome to Vitruvian Ergonomics’ blog. Through this forum I will touch on new and interesting developments in the world of ergonomics, and will also familiarize you with the noteworthy features and interesting applications of the products that Vitruvian Ergonomics represents.

By way of introduction, I have worked in Occupational Health & Safety for more than 15 years. Most of this time has been spent in the front line delivery of services related to on the job injury prevention. I have travelled all over Ontario delivering injury prevention training, developing return-to-work plans, conducting physical demand analysis and conducting ergonomic assessments. In my new role heading up Vitruvian Ergonomics, I will draw from my background and experience in this field to introduce relevant and useful products.

In case you were wondering why our company name is what it is, allow me to give a brief overview of the background of this famous diagram:

Leonardo Da Vinci’s “Vitruvian Man” drawing (circa 1487) is based on correlations between ideal human proportions and geometry. It exemplifies the balance between art and science that was so dominant during the Renaissance. The original drawing is accompanied by notes based on the work of famed 1st century Roman Architect Marcus Vitruvius Pollio. Vitruvius described the human figure as being the principal source of proportion among the classical orders of architecture. Ergonomics is the scientific discipline concerned with the understanding of interactions among humans and other elements of a system. It is a profession that applies theory, principles, data and methods to design in order to optimize human well-being and overall system performance.

Da Vinci’s image and the writings of Vitruvius speak to what is at the core of ergonomics …… human-centered design.


Until next time … be well.
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Steven Watson, Vitruvian Ergonomics
We work with our clients to find the right product for the intended application.

Please visit our website at www.vitruvianergonomics.com
Follow our Blog at vitruvianergonomics.blogspot.com

Contact Us