NOTE: This document is provided for historical purposes only.
Ira Janowitz, University of California
MR. JANOWITZ: I'm an Ergonomics Consultant with the University of California Ergonomics Program in Richmond, California. I've had the pleasure of working with several utilities over the last several years; and I appreciate the work of utility in the utility industry every time I drink a glass of water, flip on a switch, an electric switch, or flush the toilet. And especially, many people in the Northwest United States right now are finding a new appreciation for their utilities as some of them are left without power, without water and without heat.
Utilities combine the hazards of many different industries. We had a panel on construction ergonomics this morning, and it occurred to me during that that utilities combine the hazards of construction, warehousing, laboratory, office work, and to some extent, manufacturing work. The ergonomics risk factors include high force, awkward postures, vibration and the other risk factors that we're all familiar with.
I'd like for us to begin our panel discussion by discussing program elements of successful ergonomics programs and move on to specific interventions in electric, gas and waste water treatment. Our panel members which I'll be introducing in a little bit more detail as we go along include Randy Nicholls immediately to my left who's with Montana Power Company; Fran Devlin to his left, who's with the San Francisco Division of Pacific Gas and Electric; Pam Deutsch on my far left who's with Puget Sound Power and Light.
