Hi Craig, only spotted this when it came in my weekly digest. Perhaps you could give me a call? Much of the topics you note fit very tidily alongside the systems-focused work of human factors professionals so it is a very strong fit with the work of the Human Factors and Ergonomics Society of New Zealand. Perhaps those strongly interested in these topics should be HFESNZ members and the discussions can be part of our reach? Am conscious that with many in the field there is some 'interest group fatigue', and I think their is room to consciously work to strengthen existing professional groups rather than splinter them into a rash of smaller fora. We do already cover this sort of thinking in our work via HFESNZ. And as someone mentioned, this is a strong topic of interest among the healthcare community currently - an issue that we will actively be addressing in our September conference offerings. Comms on this yet to come, but keep your eyes open for it.

Hi Chris, there's not quite a dearth of human factors professionals - there are a few of us around - though probably not enough! you will find Professional Members listed at: https://www.hfesnz.org.nz/find-a-professional/ . Can I suggest you also email me directly at chairathfesnzdotorgdotnz with some more information, and we can get a communication out to our members to see if we can get someone to fit your needs to be in touch. I note that if you are searching the HASANZ website that we've become aware of a systems limitation - searching 'ergonomist' will find the HASANZ Registered Human Factors Professionals/Ergonomists, but searching 'human factors professional' finds all sorts of people from varying backgrounds, not just our qualified human factors professionals! Not ideal, and HASANZ is working to find a technical fix for this. The terms 'human factors professional' and 'ergonomist' are also interchangeable - any difference in perception is not of our making - mostly we will answer to either! (Personally, I go with 'ergonomist' as it is shorter). I look forward to hearing from you.
Kind regards' Marion Edwin, Ergonomist, Optimise Ltd, and current Chairperson of the Human Factors and Ergonomics Society of New Zealand

Loving all the feedback you have already received Ben, most of it is pretty good (including the wine at the end of the week!) I am an ergonomist, and I agree, the 2-4 finger typist brigade do struggle a good deal with positioning and comfort. I could of course offer you a full workstation assessment to go over all the tips and adjustment options... But here's some for free :) (you're welcome).

1 - Learning to touch-type is a darned good idea. Try Mavis Beacon's online material. If my cack-handed hubby can get learn to do it, there's hope for everyone. And the various voice recognition options could be sensible for you as well (or a good, old fashioned secretary!) I continue to sigh and mutter because keyboard skills no longer appear to be taught at school - a sad loss, though input options are now many and various.

2 - There is a keyboard layout called Dvorak - that is different to the standard (ubiquitous but very un-ergonomic) QWERTY option. This is the one that spells 'qwerty' along the top left row. It was designed like this as on good ole typewriters this order of the keys meant the mechanical bits were less frequently 'tangled up' when in use. (But perhaps only us old girls that actually learned to type on typewriters will remember this...) Qwerty layout is demanding biomechanically for users. You have to have quite a coordinated pinky finger to hit the 'a' for instance... and that is the key on my keyboard that I have used so much that the letter has actually worn completely away. Dvorak has laid the keys out so that it is much easier to use the most frequently used keys, and also much faster - you tend to alternate left and right hands for instance when going vowel/consonant/vowel/consonant. You can often alter the keyboard layout through the setup options on your computer - my son did this on his laptop really easily. Bonus is that most people will be put off nicking your gear.

3 - Left/right swapping for the mouse... great idea. Make sure you change the click buttons on the left one so that the 'main clicky button' is used with your index finger - most brains find that the fastest change to adapt too.

4 - For the 'hunt and peck' two finger typists, make sure the screen isn't too high, as it makes the up and down with the head/eyes task really hard work. If it isn't too high you can do more of the work with your eyes. Depending on your glasses... Which can become even more problematic once you get to reading glasses stage...

5 - Sit and stand options also great. Make sure you get lots of cardio and stretching in too. We weren't designed to be 'desk statues' so keep moving. This will help to mitigate the effects of awkward postures.

6 - Use a wrist-rest and definitely ditch the numeric keypad if you don't use this heaps. A narrower keyboard without the numeric bit saves space on the desk so you have more room for your two mice.

7 - Pay really good attention to your chair setup and desk height. If you are feeling really scrunched up and sore you probably haven't got this right, and your shoulders (and probably wrists) are doing much more work than they need too. On my website (Optimise Limited) I have a cheat sheet freeby download for how to set yourself up. The correct position might be many miles away from what you think is right.

8 - There are a number of professionals working in the health and safety sector that will have specific skills in assisting people (including you) to work comfortably at your desk - occupational health nurses, occupational therapists and occupational health physiotherapists with specific skills in this field can be contacted (and ergonomists). You can find them on the HASANZ Register.

9 - And check what your risk register identifies... often this stuff is overlooked - sure it doesn't kill you - but it can make you darned sore and will impact on your productivity and overall well-being. How are you managing it?

Kia ora koutou
Marion Edwin here, ergonomist/human factors professional in my own consulting business, and current Chair of the Human Factors and Ergonomics Society of NZ. I also wear a hat on the HASANZ governance team. Thrilled to see the return of the forum and to hear and particpate in some of the discussions. It is a nice addition to the health and safety community - thanks Safeguard!