Feature -- by Mark Sproxton

Greg Weames has a bit of an unusual job. Before he can apply the tools of his trade, he must first learn the basics of someone else's position. Simple, written job descriptions don't help much either. The Canadian Pacific Railway employee must see how the person moves while performing certain tasks, and how the tools or equipment that person uses relate to those movements.

As an ergonomist, the results of these observations serve two purposes. On one hand, he's checking that the movements are efficient. On the other, he's making sure the equipment fits the person without causing any undo stress or strain on the body. By applying principles of physiology and biomechanics, Weames helps ensure a safe work environment doesn't impede productivity.

"It's very similar to an engineer in a sense," he said. "You want to make sure the recommendations you make are appropriate to what we know about how people use tools efficiently, and the knowledge of injuries." Unlike engineers, however, ergonomists are more limited with the tests they can perform. "With a person you can't start breaking their bones and ripping their muscles," he added. "We have to measure from a distance. We don't have a huge amount of knowledge as to things that are directly measurable."

At CPR, the work takes Weames to machine shops, outside walking railroad tracks, into the driving compartment of locomotives, and into mounds of documents reading up on the latest ergonomic findings and studies. The information gleaned from observation and study is used to help create training programs designed to increase people's understanding of how they can work more efficiently, and safely.

For instance, in the mechanical shops, people can be shown that by storing tools, or parts, at levels that are easily reached, they'll cut down on wear and tear on the body, while working more efficiently. In conjunction with managers and engineers, Weames may also suggest design improvements to certain pieces of equipment to facilitate ease of movement. Because ergonomics falls under health and safety, the suggestions are thoroughly considered. "It may not sound crisp and clear, but that's the interesting thing about ergonomics," he said. "We're trying to pull together so many things."

In North America, the development of ergonomic practices is relatively new, and still emerging. That, says Weames, means there are many opportunities available for those who are scientifically inclined and take a subjective, logical approach to solving problems based on accumulated knowledge and experience. But, as an ergonomist, it also means you should be prepared to explain to people what you're doing. "A lot of people may not have an understanding of ergonomics in general," Weames said. "You have to be a bit of a salesman so people know where you're coming from. But you have to keep the perspective that it's a young field that hasn't really found its boundaries. And there's a bit of challenge in that."

Those unaware of ergonomic study need not feel embarrassed. Weames admits he knew little of the field until half-way though his undergraduate degree in kinesiology at the University of Waterloo. At first he pursued sports medicine, then he talked to people about taking the science of known movement to the workplace, and altered courses. After completing his undergrad degree, Weames then completed a Masters in biomechanics at the University of Ottawa. During those years of study he helped test and suggest design improvements for more ergonomically centred mail bags for Canada Post, and a stretcher for emergency services. "When you work with individuals to come up with a better way to do something and you put it in place and people are so much happier because of the change, that's where the real satisfaction of ergonomics comes in," explained one of CPR's two full time ergonomists.

Not all working in the field are permanent employees, however. Many work on a contract basis to employers of all descriptions, especially large manufacturing companies. Ergonomists may also look at human factors, or the psychological side of how people work. Not only will they examine the physical issues surrounding movement, but try, for example, and determine why the decision was made to move in a particular way.

Weames says because the field is so diverse, it's important to determine what specific issues interest you most. And once that decision is made, always remember you should never work alone. "You can't know everything about what people do," he said. "They often have good ideas. A good ergonomist feeds off their input and uses that to sell the idea of workplace improvements."