Ergonomics is a multidisciplinary scientific area that investigates the mutual relationships between people and their occupations.  Its primary purpose is to assist individuals in maintaining health while enabling optimal performance and satisfaction in their occupations. This is achieved by analyzing a number of elements: risk factors in the occupational environment, the specific tasks one engages in, the social relationships and the relevant organizational factors. This field is relevant to all populations, including adults and adolescents in paid and unpaid occupations and the learning environment of children. At the School of Occupational Therapy of Hadassah and the Hebrew University, we are dedicated to training future occupational therapists and practicing clinicians in the area of ergonomics while undertaking new research in cooperation with other organizations in the community.

RESEARCH PROJECTS 

This laboratory is run by the staff of the School of Occupational Therapy of Hadassah and the Hebrew University with the assistance of professionals from various clinics. We intend to develop this laboratory for training and research as well as to serve the community.

1. Developing and assessing evaluation methods

Population: School-aged children, working adults and geriatric populations

Goal: Central to the field of ergonomics is the assessment of risk factors of various occupational environments as well as the assessment of the success of intervention. Through this project, we intend to translate and examine the psychometric properties of existing work-related assessment tools and develop assessments intended for specific working populations.

2. Promoting healthy learning environments

Population: School-aged children (from 6 to 17)

Goal:  Children spend much of their time in school or doing school work at home. There is an increased awareness in recent years of the negative effects of prolonged sitting on the body and on mental capabilities. Internationally, the understanding of the effects of environmental factors on children's learning capabilities and quality of life is still in a very early stage. Our research project is threefold. First, we intend to investigate the risk factors of learning environments (sitting, carrying backpacks, inappropriate home learning settings.) Thereafter, we will examine intervention programs and solutions for improved learning environments. Finally, we intend to encourage education systems and parents to understand the ergonomic risks and solutions for healthy learning environments.

3. Promoting healthy work environments

Population: Adults of working age

Goal: We intend to develop a simulated working environment of various occupations, from office settings to industry, in order to train our students, practicing occupational therapy clinicians, employers and employees and provide them with available techniques and equipment. In addition, research regarding the effectiveness of intervention in reducing ergonomic risk factors is lacking. We plan to investigate this area with the purpose of providing effective treatment and cost-effective programs for prevention and intervention in various work environments.

4. Assessment of ergonomic equipment for Israeli society

Population: Various

Goal: The development of ergonomic equipment is a growing business as a result of an increased international awareness of ergonomic principles. Computer and sitting-related ergonomic equipment is often promoted as the solution for work related health ailments. However, developers of ergonomic equipment often have no educational background in health training. In many cases, the equipment does not provide a solution and can even worsen the condition.

In this laboratory, we intend to assess the safety of 'ergonomic equipment' and establish which equipment is safe for different populations. In addition, we intend to develop educational programs for community employers and promote alliances for workers to be provided with appropriate equipment and correct guidelines for injury prevention. We also plan to encourage cooperation with professionals who develop ergonomic equipment, but do not have relevant health related training, in order to develop better designed equipment for learning and working environments. Finally, we hope to provide the community with a simulated working environment in which they can test ergonomic equipment before purchasing it.

IMPLICATIONS FOR TARGET POPULATIONS