10/24/07: BU Doctoral Student Leads Ergonomics Day Event at Massachusetts State House

(Boston) – With the work force growing older as the retirement age rises, ergonomics in the work place is becoming more imperative. A properly set up work place is an important step in continuing the health of the nation’s older workers. Since October is National Ergonomics Month, the Massachusetts State House is sponsoring an Ergonomics Day event entitled “Successful Aging through Ergonomics” to address the issue of the aging workforce.

The goal of the program is to educate the public about the importance of ergonomics and its positive effects on aging. During the event, there will be various interactive stations that will carry out specific tests to check the signs of aging. The assessments will include strength testing, cognition testing, body mass index measurement and blood pressure testing. There will be information available at each station describing how ergonomics can combat the negative effects of aging on the body. Volunteers will also be demonstrating how to properly set up a computer station in the most ergonomically effective way.

With the help of occupational therapy professor Karen Jacobs, professor of occupational therapy, Cindy Garcia, a doctoral student in physical therapy at Boston University Sargent College of Health and Rehabilitation Sciences, helped plan the event as part of her senior practicum. Jacobs secured the participation of Louis Kafka, a state representative and longtime advocate of ergonomics legislation.

“I’m so excited to have the support of Representative Louis Kafka. He’s been a huge influential force in the state house for ergonomics legislation. His sponsorship made this project possible,” Garcia explains. “Through his support, we’re able to share our knowledge of work place ergonomics with the aging public which will help to better their lives.”

The Ergonomics Day event is free and opens to the public and will be held in the Great Hall at the Massachusetts State House on October 24 from 10:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m.

Boston University (BU) Sargent College of Health and Rehabilitation Sciences is an institution of higher education, research and clinical centers whose premier academic programs prepare dynamic health professionals and whose research and leadership in the health and rehabilitation sciences strive to foster critical and innovative thinking to best serve the health care needs of society.  As reported by US News and World Report, all professional graduate programs are ranked within the top 15% in the country. For more information and to learn about degree programs in physical therapy, occupational therapy, speech, language and hearing sciences, health science, athletic training, and nutrition, visit https://www.bu.edu/sargent.