Worksite International Blog

Dr. Marras presented his latest research on lower back disorders at ERGOX 2015. He is the Executive Director Scientific Director of the Spine Research Institute, and a Professor at Ohio State University. His research is centered on understanding the role of biomechanics in spine disorder causation and its role in the prevention, evaluation, and treatment of spine disorders.

Lower back disorders are the #1 disability worldwide, costing more than cancer with over 100 million lost time work days. Lower back is typically over-treated, with approximately 50% of all surgeries performed on the lower back unsuccessful, 80-90% lower back conditions are misdiagnosed, costing millions of dollars in failed surgeries.

Anthropometry is the measurement of the size and proportions of the human body. Goodness of fit can be described as the closest match to perfect to yield best practices and maximum productivity. It is something we knew very little about until the birth of ergonomics and human factors in the modern world. Ergonomics has brought anthropometrics and the goodness of fit to light. Since the late 40’s, ergonomics and human factors have woven its way into the fabric of our society without much awareness, a silent partner often finding its way into the design of everyday life.

Commodities are the raw ingredients or components of almost everything we consume or use in our everyday life. Some of the most common commodities are corn, wheat, gold, silver, copper, oil, gas, cattle, sugar, coffee and cotton. They are uniform in quality between companies that produce and sell them. Typically, you can’t tell the difference between one firm’s product and another. When considering ergonomics in this context, as a commodity, it removes the specialty expertise it takes to perform it and makes it more common place, able to be done by everyone in the same way.

Ergonomics Product Showcase: