Principles of ergonomics The primary source document for

safety and health personnel, Principles of Ergonomics is said to be a complete training course for managers working to identify and reduce ergonomic injuries. A recent area directive issued to OSHA offices requires compliance officers to evaluate the potential for ergonomic injuries while visiting work- places and, if necessary, render a citation under the General Duty Clause. The document provides information necessary to detect and treat ergonomic problems. It includes 571 pages of text, 250 colour slides, 4 colour videotapes (½" VHS), a software program to calculate the action limit for spinal loads, etc. Among the many topics covered are back injury prevention, cumulative t rauma disorders, visual display terminals, work physiology, workstation design, vibration disorders and heat stress. Available from Bio- mechanics Corporation of America, 337 Skidmore Road, Deer Park, New York 11729.

Theatre survey During December 1986, the Ontario

Heritage Foundat ion commissioned Behavioural Team to conduct a study into the adaptat ion and re-use of the Elgin and Winter Garden theatres. The study was to gather information on visitor behaviour and att i tudes towards restoration. Five methods were used: self-completion questionnaires, the Building Adjective Checklist (a validated and normal architectural psychology instrument), a telephone survey, interval interviews, and behavioural observation. The results showed 95% preferring a restored facility to a new construction. Improvements were sought in the box office facilities, wash- rooms, heating system, telephones and the long climbs to reach balcony seating. About 12 handicapped people were present at an average performance, who suffered from such hazards as dim lighting, poor colour contrasts, glare sources, numerous stairs, and irregular layouts. More details from the Behavioural Team, 21 Vaughan Rd, Suite 202, Toronto, Ontario M6G 2N2, Canada.

South African ergonomics The Design Institute of the South

African Bureau of Standards publishes a design journal, Brief. The issue numbered 87-2 included a number of ergonomics-based articles: how Nissan designs for the South African consumer, optimised design for the passenger in

the Pendelbus commuter 19us, vehicle displays and controls; the unnatural history of sitting; the role of ergonomics in quality management; human factors in industrial inspection; and how poverty and lack of amenities add to the plight of the black disabled person. There are also reports of activities of the Ergonomics Society of Southern Africa. Enquiries should be directed to the ESA Secretariat at the Design Institute, SABS, Private Bag X191, Pretoria 0001, South Africa.

Ergonomics course To assist in satisfying an increase in

demand for higher level education in ergonomics, Lule~ University of Technology, Department of Human Work Sciences is planning to offer, (from August 1988) a Master of Science (MSc) Degree Course in ergonomics. The duration of study is designed for 1½ years. The MSc programme is to be held under the auspices of the Swedish International University (SIU). For information on the course, contact Dr H. Shahnavaz, Department of Human Work Sciences, * " " Lulea Umverslty of Technology, S-951 87 Lule~, Sweden.

Ergonomics information source book

The Report Store, a division of Ergosyst Associates Inc, has published its Ergonomics Sourcebook: A Guide to Human Factors Information. It contains references and descriptions of associations, on-line databases, research centres, consultants, periodicals, basic references and conferences. This 300-page book, ISBN 0-916313-12-3, hard cover, US $65.00, is available for orders outside North America from: Information Publications Intl (IPI), White Swan House, Godstone, Surrey RH9 8LW, UK.

Occupational health services publication

The Health and Safety Commission has published a booklet of general advice intended to help ensure a consistent approach to occupational health care in the oil industry. The policy of the HSC is to encourage organisations to at tain high standards of occupational health as well as safety for all their workers. The booklet , Guidelines for Occupational Health Services in the Oil Industry, was prepared by the HSC's Oil Industry Advisory Committee and has been endorsed by the Commission and the

Petroleum Engineering Division of the Department of Energy. The guidelines are designed to assist employers, employees and occupational health staff in the development of appropriate arrangements for the effective health care of people at work. They give practical guidance on functions and activities of occupational health services and contain detailed recom- mendations on the basic principles of a record-keeping system.

The guidelines were developed following a survey of the main sectors of the industry which revealed that, while the provision of occupational health personnel facilities and equip- ment was generally good, there was a considerable degree of variation in the practice of occupational health care. The advice contained in the guidelines is related to the oil industry but may be helpful to other industries when considering their own requirements for occupational health services. Guide- lines for Occupational Health Services in the Oil Industry, ISBN 0 t 1 883890 31 price £4.50, is available from HMSO or booksellers.

Postal service workers' stress report

The stress and subsequent health problems which arise from automated job operations have recently been the subject of a study in relation to postal service workers; In the United States, the National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH) undertook a comparison of US postal service workers, between those engaged in machine-paced let ter sorting tasks to those working at non-machine paced jobs. A questionnaire was sent to 12 300 employees at 48 postal locations regionally distributed throughout mainland United States. There was a high response rate of 55% with approximately 6700 res- pondents. Amongst those working in a machine-paced environment, there was less job satisfaction, and higher demands on concentration and memory. There were also greater levels of health complaints, particularly visual, arm, wrist, hand and neck strains, as well as general stress problems.

Job demands and worker health in machine-paced mail sorting operations (PB86-191079) is published by the US National Technical Information Service (NTIS) and is available in the UK from the NTIS distributor, Micro- info Ltd, PO Box 3, Omega Park, Alton, Hampshire GU34 2PG (0420 86848), price on application.

350 Applied Ergonomics December 1987