An employment tribunal has found in favour of a fire-fighter who was sacked for asking colleagues if their employer’s reclining chairs were hurting their backs.

New research claims that caffeine can help shift workers to make fewer errors.

New research about to be published by the University of Derby on optimising employee productivity through ergonomics throws light on the effectiveness of ergonomists themselves.

The lack of progress in tackling the problems of repetitive strain injury (RSI) in the last six years means that the problem costs employees around £300m a year.

Outgoing US president George Bush had a “daily, and sometimes deadly impact” on the health and safety of American workers during his time in office.

In one of the first prosecutions of its kind, a car parts manufacturer has been fined for failing to control the risk of work-related upper limb disorder (WRULD).

The Ergonomics Society is celebrating its 60th anniversary this year, so current president Tom Stewart looks back at the development of the discipline and forward to more collaborative working between ergonomists and safety and health practitioners.

Musculoskeletal disorders, and particularly those affecting the upper limbs, are the most common occupational illness in the UK, but there is much that can be done to prevent, or alleviate them if their causes and symptoms are understood, says Dr Chris Ide.

Are traditional approaches aimed at combating musculoskeletal disorders too limited in their scope? Andrew Baird believes so, and argues for a move away from a simplistic ergonomics method to a more sophisticated bio-psychosocial model.

Trevor Evans attempts to dispel some of the myths and misunderstandings about the discipline of ergonomics, and to convey how human factors professionals and ergonomists can address existing and new health and safety challenges in the workplace.

Effective health and safety leadership is about influence, not authority, according to a report from Cardinus Risk Management.

At its 60th anniversary conference on 22 April, the Ergonomics Society awarded its top honour, the President's Medal, to registered consultancy IOM in recognition of more than 35 years of work helping develop better personal protective equipment and ensuring that ergonomic challenges, such as user discomfort, are tackled.

A new international standard has been issued on assessing risk and managing work in cold environments.

Ergochair says it has worked with several UK ergonomists to produce the ideal chair to fit as large a cross-section of people as possible, without losing focus on what is truly important: enabling great posture without compromising on comfort.

Allegro Industries says it offers one of the most extensive collections of ergonomic workplace protection available in the form of top-quality wrist supports, kneepads, and ankle and elbow supports, featuring unique designs for specific jobs.

Computer-users who access the mouse with both hands may find their needs served by the new-generation RollerMouse Free device.

Contour Design Ergonomics says RollerMouse Free lets users work with hands and arms in the optimal work zone in front of the keyboard, thus minimising the risk of discomfort and repetitive strain injuries.