Osmond Ergonomics eBulletin May 2023

May 10, 2023

This article was originally emailed as issue 162 of our monthly eBulletin at 14:30 on 10/05/2023. You can register here to receive them monthly.

Adult,And,Child,Hands,Holding,Lime,Green,Ribbon,On,Green

MENTAL HEALTH AWARENESS MONTH

It is entirely logical that Stress Awareness Month (April) is immediately followed by Mental Health Awareness Month (May) which contains, for those with a limited attention span, Mental Health Awareness Week (15th – 21st). This year’s theme is Anxiety. If you find yourself thinking that anxiety and stress are much the same thing, then perhaps you have never experienced either. Whilst the symptoms have a lot in common, their origin is completely different. For our long-standing supporters, the attention we are giving to these topics may, at first, seem surprising for a company that has been talking about physical ergonomics and musculoskeletal health for over 30 years. However, we have been talking about the connection between physical and mental health for over a decade – long before the Covid pandemic drew attention to mental health issues. Expect to see even more from us in the future!

THE ROBERT MANSON SHOW!

robert_mansonLast month we introduced our first guest speaker to our free webinars and we are delighted with the response to the first of three interlinked sessions delivered for us by Robert Manson of Haldane Health. Starting with Personal Energy Management (now available on catch-up), we are progressing through Developing Personal Resilience and Managing Stress at Work in May and June. Robert’s wide experience in global organisations brings unique insights and a healthy pragmatism to his broadcasts.

AND THE STUART ENTWISTLE SHOW!

stuart_entwistleAlongside our guest sessions, we are also extending the scope of our in-house webinars. As previously mentioned, our Training Manager, Stuart, is exploring more mental-health-related topics over coming weeks. His May session is Sleep and, in June, he will be talking about Biophilia. For insights and tips about how to optimise your personal benefits from these two topics, find out more and register here.

CLERKENWELL DESIGN WEEK

CDW_Guy

I also mentioned CDW last month, but a lot has been happening in the meantime. There are some important relocations; some international companies opening Clerkenwell showrooms for the first time and even companies I have never heard of announcing new premises. In addition, there are significant presentations and discussions between industry celebrities, influencers, international designers – and me! To hear me talk about The Value of an Overheard Conversation, come to the new Dynamobel showroom for 11:30 on Wednesday 24th May. To find out more about CDW and register, click here.

FREE RESOURCE ACCESS

Unlimited,Access,All,Areas,No,Restrictions,Vip,MembershipDo you carry out workstation assessments? Do you use our online resources? Do you ever want to show them to clients during the assessment process? If so, you will be pleased to know that you no longer need to login to do so. During conversations at our recent, highly successful DSE Assessor Event in Bristol, it was suggested that the need to login or register is really inconvenient – so we have removed this feature! You can now access our entire website without logging in.

 


Product Radar – Wheatgrass Image Mouse

April 20, 2023

This update was originally emailed as a Product Radar posting on 14/04/2023. You can register here to receive them directly by email.

Product Radar Header - Wheatgrass Image Mouse

Introduction

WhiteWHTmouseThe Wheatgrass Image mouse has been designed with practicality in mind, featuring wireless Bluetooth and RF connectivity. The symmetrical design makes it suitable for both left and right handed users. The ECO range is made of a bioplastic formed from polymers found in wheat, called lignin. The resultant bioplastic is workable, with similar properties to typical plastic – but without the use of any artificial chemicals or fossil fuels.

 

 

Features & Benefits 

  • Excellent ECO credentials help contribute to reduced environmental impact
  • Bluetooth 5.1  and 2.4Ghz (via USB) ‘plug and play’ for multi device connection (one RF, one Bluetooth)
  • Nano USB receiver can be stored in the base of the mouse for ease of transportation
  • Dpi button for resolution adjustment to meet user preference for mouse speed
  • High quality optical sensor designed to work on most surfaces for versatility
  • Symmetrical design makes the mouse suitable for both right- and left-handed users
  • Automatic power saving sleep mode and on/off button to extend battery life
  • Sleek modern design with glossy finish for pleasing aesthetics

More Information

 

 


Product Radar – Hotbox Shuttle

April 13, 2023

This update was originally emailed as a Product Radar posting on 12/04/2023. You can register here to receive them directly by email.

Product Radar Header - Hotbox Shuttle

Introduction

62d14a055070e9ccdb4474e6_Hotbox-Shuttle-SpecificationsThe Hotbox Shuttle laptop bag is the perfect combination of style and functionality. Particularly suited to the agile worker, it allows you to transport your belongings easily between all workspaces/locations. With its spacious compartments, organisational pockets, and padded shoulder straps, the Hotbox Shuttle is a versatile and comfortable bag that can accommodate all your daily essentials and more. Whether you’re a student, a professional, or a traveller, this laptop bag is an excellent choice to keep your belongings safe and organised.

 

 

Features & Benefits 

  • Side access design for easy access to work tech items 
  • Dedicated, padded laptop compartment provides extra laptop protection
  • Tech and folio pouch included to optimise storage and item organisation 
  • Manufactured from sustainable/recycled material for excellent sustainability credentials
  • Adjustable shoulder straps, top handle and luggage strap for easy transportation
  • Water-resistant exterior to protect belongings from the elements

More Information

 

 


Product Radar – Hotbox Flow

April 13, 2023

This update was originally emailed as a Product Radar posting on 31/03/2023. You can register here to receive them directly by email.

Product Radar Header - Hotbox Flow

Introduction

hotbox_flow_front_1633521814Neat on the outside, expansive on the inside, Hotbox Flow is designed to keep belongings safe and easily accessible. Perfect for users ‘on the go’ it can be moved easily to and from any workspace, anywhere. Hotbox Flow will stand upright on your desk and a unique front pocket makes sure you can easily get to everything at any time. The comfortable shoulder strap is padded for extra comfort and is adjustable to customise the fit.

 

 

Features & Benefits 

  • Unique stand-up design with fold down front section for easy access to items on any desk
  • Manufactured from sustainable/recycled material for excellent sustainability credentials
  • Multiple internal pockets to optimise storage and item organisation 
  • Adjustable shoulder strap for a customisable fit
  • Water-resistant exterior to protect belongings from the elements

More Information

 

 


Osmond Ergonomics eBulletin April 2023

April 13, 2023

This article was originally emailed as issue 161 of our monthly eBulletin at 11:30 on 12/04/2023. You can register here to receive them monthly.

Feeling,Stress,Free!

STRESS AWARENESS MONTH

As you probably already know, April is Stress Awareness Month. What you may not realise is that this has been the case for over 30 years. I am delighted to see that stress and its successful management is finally getting the attention and support it deserves. In recognition of this (and Mental Health Awareness Week on May 15-21), we shall be offering a free 3-part webinar series, starting on April 19th. This is also our first Guest Speaker Series, featuring Robert Manson. Robert has extensive experience from senior roles at RWE, Morrisons and GlaxoSmithKline and now runs his own consultancy, Haldane Health. Find out more about our free webinars and register here.

CLERKENWELL DESIGN WEEK

CDW_2023London’s Clerkenwell is home to more creative businesses and architects per square mile than anywhere else on the planet. ‘The UK’s leading independent design festival’, CDW returns on May 23-25 this year. Amongst the numerous events and presentations taking place, the key manufacturers in the UK workplace design and furniture industry throw open their showrooms to display their latest products. I shall be speaking at 11:30 on Wednesday May 24 at the new Dynamobel showroom (so new that it hasn’t even opened yet!). Look out for full details in the May eBulletin.

NEW PRODUCTS

Creative,Wow,Word,Cut,From,Paper,Isolated,On,White,BackgroundWhilst many of our competitors add anything and everything to their portfolio, we are much more selective. Even products from existing manufacturing partners have to go through our WoW Factor process to make it into our range and onto our website. As you might expect, we reject more than we accept! Since the start of 2023, we have declined 60% of the new designs we have assessed. To stay abreast of our recommendations, many clients subscribe to our Product Radar newsletters. Unlike this eBulletin, Product Radar emails are published ad hoc and only when we have a worthy new contender to show you. See our recent additions and/or register here.

WEBINARS ON DEMAND

Wireless,Keyboard,And,Camera,With,The,Word,On,Demand,WebinarsAll our live webinars are recorded and added to our website. A link is then emailed to all registered delegates for access to the video recording after the event. It is, therefore, always worth registering for any topic that interests you, even if the timing conflicts with other diary commitments. That way, you can catch up in your own time at some stage in the future. You can see our archive of View on Demand recordings here. They are all free but you will need to register for access.

SWITCHBOARD HOURS

DisconnectedFrom Monday April 17th, our switchboard hours will change to 09:00 – 17:00 Monday to Friday. This is an industry norm and, since other electronic communication methods have now eclipsed the telephone, the volume of calls has diminished significantly over the years and especially since the pandemic. This slight restriction of core telephone hours also allows us to give the Customer Service team greater flexibility over start and finish times so you may well find that you get email responses outside these hours.

 

 


Product Radar – ErgoSlider Plus

March 29, 2023

This update was originally emailed as a Product Radar posting on 29/03/2023. You can register here to receive them directly by email.

Product Radar Header - ErgoSlider Plus

Introduction

ergoslider-plus-central-ergonomic-mouse-1414761922

ErgoSlider Plus is designed for enhanced comfort and precision. Its patented sliding technology allows for natural hand movement, reducing strain and fatigue in the wrist and arm. Operated by using fingertips and thumbs rather than the whole arm makes Ergoslider Plus ideal for precision tasks such as CAD and design work. Suitable for right- and left-handed users. Mac and Windows compatible. It is also at least £100 cheaper than comparable products. 

 

Features & Benefits 

  • Central design eliminates the reaching associated with standard mice, reducing the incidence of pain/discomfort
  • Choice of roller bar and/or buttons for clicking and scrolling to meet individual preferences
  • Fixed pointer speed (800dpi) which is ideal for precise accurate movements
  • Removable roller bar and wrist pad for easy cleaning
  • Quick access buttons with Copy/Paste feature for increased efficiency

More Information

 

 


Osmond Ergonomics eBulletin March 2023

March 8, 2023

This article was originally emailed as issue 160 of our monthly eBulletin at 11:30 on 08/03/2023. You can register here to receive them monthly.

Supporting,Mental,Health,At,Work,Concept.,Care,For,Employees.,Motivation,

WELLBEING & PRODUCTIVITY WEBINAR SERIES

We have now started to roll out our 2023 plans for further webinar and training topics. These cover a broader spectrum of subjects. They go beyond our traditional DSE base but they still fall under the heading of Wellbeing & Productivity. General webinar sessions are available free and cover the fundamentals of each topic. They can also be branded or tailored for use on your intranet, in Lunch & Learns, on Wellbeing Days or as part of a more comprehensive Learning and Development programme. For a full consultancy service, we are teaming up with industry experts to offer a holistic approach to your L&D needs. See our free webinar programme here or view the new ones individually: Email Management – Sleep – Biophilia.

DSE ASSESSOR DAY EVENT – 18.04.23

dse_bristolWe have been agreeably surprised by the number of registrations for our Bristol training day. We thought the venue would be big enough but we are getting close to capacity. Whilst the content is obviously attracting delegates, several have also mentioned the vineyard venue. Is there a better way to end a great day of learning and networking than a bottle of wine to take home afterwards? To be sure of a place, check out the agenda and register now.

WORKPLACE TRENDS RESEARCH SUMMIT – 19.04.23

workplaceTrendsresearchsummit2023The 2023 event is on April 19th. This year looks very promising once again with a broad range of UK and overseas presenters from both commerce and academia. Employers everywhere are asking for data on which to base their decisions about hybrid working, corporate real estate and employee wellbeing. This is the place to find it! This year’s topics include Indoor Positioning Systems, Organisational Network Analysis, Acoustic Perception, Human-Centric Transformation and Self Determination Theory. It may sound like Buzzword Bingo in a single sentence but it’s actually lots of really valuable information! Find out more and register here.

TOP TIPS VIDEOS

top_tips_videosWhen we declared 2022 our ‘Year of Knowledge Sharing’, one of our new initiatives was the introduction of our Top Tips video library. We continue to add to this and now have over 20 clips covering topics as diverse as ‘Acoustics’ and ‘Why use a compact keyboard?’. Almost all of them last less than a minute so they are a great way to share wellbeing and ergonomics ideas with your colleagues or clients. Check the latest additions at bit.ly/oe-top-tips  or here if you prefer YouTube. And feel free to share them!

SUSTAINABILITY IN THE OFFICE FURNITURE INDUSTRY

3d_printHistorically, the process of equipping and re-equipping the workplace has been very wasteful and sustainability was not given much consideration. In recent years, and especially since the post-Covid focus on Net Zero, designers, manufacturers and office dealers like ourselves have been reviewing every element of the industry to see where improvements can be made. Perhaps 3D printing will also become a key part of that process. I explored this idea in my recent blog about the Stockholm Furniture Fair.

 

 

 


Osmond Ergonomics eBulletin February 2023

February 8, 2023

This article was originally emailed as issue 159 of our monthly eBulletin at 11:30 on 11/01/2023. You can register here to receive them monthly.

HeaderImage02-2023

BRISTOL DSE EVENT

Following last month’s teaser, we are delighted to announce our next event for DSE Assessors on Tuesday April 18, 2023. This time, we are teaming up with our friends at Ergochair and the location is just outside Bristol. We always aim to ensure our events are far-from-standard so we have chosen a vineyard location (and guess what your goodie bag will include!). Since it’s a little out of town, we shall be providing collection and return services for both Bristol Temple Meads Station and Bristol Airport. Obviously, it’s a full and varied programme with plenty of interaction and networking opportunities. And, of course, it’s free! Find out more and be one of the first to register here.

CONFERENCES & EXHIBITIONS

Delegates,Networking,At,Conference,Drinks,Reception

Depending when you read this, I am actually attending – or just back from – the Stockholm Furniture Fair. Watch out for my report blog in the near future. We are now entering the conference and exhibition season so here are a few more events that I shall be attending as a delegate. Depending on your background and role, one or more of these should be of interest.

Workspace Design Show (London)
Health & Wellbeing at Work (Birmingham)
Workplace Trends Research Summit (London)
Clerkenwell Design Week (London)

Let me know if you decide to attend one or more of these and want to meet up.

PRODUCT RADAR

Digital,Blue,Realistic,Radar,With,Targets,On,Monitor,In,Searching.We introduced our Product Radar emails in September 2020 to provide an effective way to keep subscribers informed of new products as we add them to our range and ensure they are ‘on your radar’. All products have been through our WoW Factor process so they are tested and endorsed by us, not just ‘new stuff’. This has proved particularly popular with assessors, Health & Safety professionals and Occupational Health personnel supporting office workers. We have had a flurry of new products since the start of the year so it is opportune to remind our readers who have not yet subscribed. You can see the archive of postings here or register here.

VAT ONLINE

Vat,Concept.word,Vat,With,Stacked,Coins,There,Is,A,Notebook

You may have noticed that everything on our website has increased in price in the last few days. In fact, no prices have changed but everything is showing a 20% increase because we now show VAT-inclusive pricing. In an ideal world, we should be able to give you the choice to see VAT-inclusive or -exclusive pricing but that apparently straightforward requirement turns out to be far more complicated than expected with our current website platform (and we have researched this thoroughly). Since we are receiving more and more personal purchases for homeworkers, this change makes sense for the time being.

WEBSITE FEEDBACK

Metallic,Wrench,Over,A,Computer,Keyboard,In,Blue,Toned,,ComputerFor many reasons, including the VAT issue, we are currently working on a new platform for a brand new website. We would love more feedback from users about your experience. Please let me know anything you think is missing, what drives you up the wall, what you find really useful or just a general comment about how you get on with the current format. We have lots of our own ideas but your feedback is even more important. You can email me here.

 


Product Radar – Desire2 Supreme Sit-Stand Laptop Stand

February 2, 2023

This update was originally emailed as a Product Radar posting on 01/02/2023. You can register here to receive them directly by email.

Product Radar Header - Desire2 Supreme

Introduction

Desire2_laptop_stand_sit_stand_1

The Desire2 Supreme Sit-Stand Laptop Stand allows you to take standing breaks from sitting at your computer all day. Laptop height can be adjusted easily, by up to 50cm, for short standing breaks which enhances healthy posture. Precision engineered from refined aluminium, the laptop stand offers sturdy support for all laptops 10” to 17.3” (up to 6kg). 

Please note that, as separate keyboard and mouse are not used when standing, the times in Hedge’s 3S’s Ideal Work Pattern are advised.

 

Features & Benefits 

  • Quick release mechanism for easy switching between sitting and standing positions.
  • Adjustable height settings enables the screen to be raised for a comfortable viewing level which improves posture.
  • Adjustable angle helps to promote healthy posture and reduce eye and neck strain.
  • Non-slip rubber feet provides stability for the laptop.
  • Increases air circulation to keep your laptop cooler.

More Information

 

 


Product Radar – DXTMouse 3

January 26, 2023

This update was originally emailed as a Product Radar posting on 26/01/2023. You can register here to receive them directly by email.

Product Radar Header - DXTMouse 3

Introduction

_MG_0007Available either wired or wireless, this compact, ergonomic mouse is ideal for all user applications and is well suited to detailed work. A truly ambidextrous mouse with instant adjustment, offering 6 programmable buttons, low click force, easy cursor speed adjustment (4 settings) and integral USB dongle storage (wireless version). Particularly suited to users with larger hands.

 

Features & Benefits 

  • Unique pen grip action to ensure relaxed hand and neutral wrist positioning
  • Ambidextrous. Can be used right- or left-handed (instantly switchable) to adapt to user preference and/or spread the load
  • 6 Programmable buttons to enable user customisation (App required)
  • Zinc base plate for increased accuracy and stability
  • Instant cursor speed change to meet user preference
  • Integral dongle storage (wireless option) 
  • Compact design, ideal for transportation

More Information

 

 


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