Ergonomics in Schools (ESSIG)

The Ergonomics for School Special Interest Group (ESSIG) is a group of people who have an interest in school-related ergonomics in New Zealand. It is a special interest group of the New Zealand Ergonomics Society (NZES).

ESSIG is designed to provide research and practical information as well as to promote discussion and interchange on the topic of ergonomics in schools. This includes a wide range of relevant topic areas, such as: computer use in schools, school furniture design, back pain amongst school students and ergonomics training for teachers.

Current Project

A team within ESSIG worked on creating material to support the teaching of good ergonomics principles in computer use to students. The project has arose from the concern that children are now spending 15 plus years on computers before they reach the work force and forming bad habits over that time. We wanted to see children given the tools and environment to form good habits from the start.
Our outcome was that “Children have the confidence and ability, when working with computers, to influence/adjust their physical environment and modify their behaviour to minimise risk”
As a result the following website has been created.  It provides interactive games for students to teach the key principles as well as teacher notes for class activities to extend on the principles.  Visit www.moveit.org.nz

If you wish to be kept up to date with what the group are doing or would like any other information on Ergonomics in Schools please e-mail Brenda Buchanan.

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Related websites:

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Related papers:.

Spinal musculoskeletal discomfort in New Zealand intermediate schools
- S J Legg; F C Trevelyan; M P Carpentier and B Fuchs

Mismatch between classroom furniture dimensions and student anthropometric characteristics in three New Zealand secondary schools
- S J Legg, K Pajo, M Marfell-Jones and M Sullman

Schoolbag Weight and Musculoskeletal symptoms in New Zealand Secondary Schools
- Jannine Whittfield and Stephen Legg

Mismatch of Classroom Furniture and Student Body Dimensions - Empirical Findings and Health implications
- Claudia Parcells; Manfred Stommel and Robert P Hubbard

How Safe is Cycling with a Schoolbag?
- Stephen Legg; Edward Laurs and Duncan Hedderley