Ergonomics is the science of how people interact both physically and mentally with their work environment, workstations, tasks, tools and equipment in order to work safely and effectively. Environmental factors such as light, noise, temperature and work organization are also considered, since these affect the manner in which work is done. Ergonomic recommendations are based on the principle that the job should be fitted to the person, and not the person to the job.

Although ergonomics is relatively new to some organisations, many have been improving the fit between workers and their jobs for a long time. The employers who purchase tools that are lighter and easier to use, the employers who allow the employees to test more than one office chair, or the worker who rearranges the layout of a workstation so it can be used more efficiently are all improving the fit between worker and task.

The basic assumption of ergonomics is that the workplace should be set-up according to human characteristics and capabilities. For example: the furniture and equipment you use should fit your characteristics and there should be room for you to place often needed materials within easy reach.

Sue Hanel has more than 15 years experience in ergonomics and has been the President of Ergo-Safety since 1992. She has broad experience and practical knowledge in conducting office and industrial ergonomic assessments, training and presentations. Sue has extensive knowledge of human physiology with particular emphasis on the musculoskeletal system and was a technical reviewer for the Musculoskeletal Injury Prevention Program (MIPP) initiated by the Workplace Health and Safety Agency.

Sue works with several Federal, Provincial and Municipal Government departments including the Canadian Security and Intelligence Service, Natural Resources Canada, Health Canada and the Ontario Human Rights Commission. Private sector experience includes work in hi-tech electronics, retail, hotel/tourism, chemical, steel, manufacturing and health care industries. In the education sector, Sue has worked at the University and Board level. She has also worked with financial institutions.

In 1996, while on contract to the Retail Council of Canada, Sue was awarded the Best Solution Award in recognition of outstanding achievement and innovation for the Ontario Service Alliance safety program. She has been a guest speaker at Industrial Accident Prevention Association (IAPA), Ontario Occupational Health Nurses Association (OOHNA) and Correctional Service Canada conferences.

Prior to founding Ergo-Safety, Sue was the Corporate Ergonomist for the Oshawa Group Ltd. for five years. She was a Human Factors Associate for Dofasco, and was a Research Coordinator for the Defence and Civil Institute of Environmental Medicine (DCIEM).

Sue was awarded an Honours Bachelor of Science degree specializing in Kinesiology/Ergonomics from the University of Waterloo in May of 1987. She also obtained a Business Management Studies Certificate from the Ontario Management Development Program at Sheridan College in August 1991.

Sue's Professional Memberships include:

• Full member of the Association of Canadian Ergonomists since 1986
• Canadian Registered Safety Professional since 1990
• Founder and co-chair (1993-2001) of the Ottawa Ergonomics Group
• Member of SHEPN (Safety, Health and Environmental Professionals) since August 1998

Ergo-Safety associates are qualified, dedicated professionals with a wealth of knowledge in ergonomics and safety. One Associate has spent over sixteen years in occupational health and safety and is the Senior Advisor on a number of Ergo-Safety projects. Another associate has a B.Sc. and M.Sc. from the University of Waterloo and has more than ten years of ergonomics experience. One bilingual Associate worked as an Ergonomist for the Workplace Safety and Insurance Board for eight years and has worked in the field for more than fourteen years.