Greenlee Develops Industry-first Ergonomics Laboratory

Ergo Lab

Greenlee has launched an industry-first ergonomics laboratory with state-of-the-art equipment to identify a tool's ergonomic value through scientific testing, measurement and analysis. This analysis will help electrical tools users, along with purchasing officers and decision-makers, determine the best tools to use on the job.

"This new ErgoLab will give Greenlee the ability to analyze and deliver objective data and offer all our business units the ability to quantify a "tool's worth," says Raffi Elchemmas, Tool Ergonomist at Greenlee. "By having the ability to compare muscle efforts against ergonomic qualities, it allows tool users and decision-makers to see and understand the short- and long-term health and safety benefits. This insight makes the purchasing decision process that much easier."

Using electromyography analysis equipment and ergonomic evaluation software, Greenlee researchers are able to measure and record the amount of electrical activity produced by the skeletal muscles. In addition to this, they will also be able to collect grip strength and biofeedback information such as heart rate, ECG Waveform, and skin temperature.

The lab is located at company headquarters in Rockford, IL. A mobile version of the ErgoLab has also been developed to offer jobsite analysis, allowing ergonomists to bring the testing equipment to customers' jobsite, whether in their building, leaning out of a bucket or climbing up a pole for onsite analysis.

"The idea came about when our ergonomics analysts saw the need to improve the quality of life for the next generation of utility and electrical workers. Our team began to identify the initial point of injuries and trace many repetitive and long-term injuries back to ergonomic issues that can be fixed through redesigning, reengineering and improving work practices", says Jeff Smith, Greenlee’s Director of Engineering.

Greenlee ErgoLab will be sharing testing results through ergo data sheets on specific tools and published white papers.

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Sonepar Canada Launches Three New eCommerce Mobile Applications

Sonepar Sonepar Canada has announced the launch of new mobile applications for Gescan Vallen, Sesco and Lumen.

The mobile apps were officially released as of June of this year and features barcode scanning, access to pricing, product availability, store locator and much more – 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.

The new mobile app is changing the way customers can interact with the Operating Companies within Sonepar Canada. The barcode scanning functionality is a popular feature amongst customers allowing them to scan an item easily and add it to their cart.

Grid Reliability to Be Improved with New Transmission Line in Fredericton Region

Fredericton Transmission Line NB Power recenly announced it will seek approval to build a new transmission line in the Fredericton area, which will improve the reliability of the power grid in the region for approximately 25, 000 customers.

The new proposed 15-kilometre transmission line will run from the Rainsford Substation, in Fredericton, to the Mactaquac Terminal.

“NB Power strives to offer its customer a reliable power grid that meets or exceeds all utility standards,” said NB Power’s President and CEO, Gaëtan Thomas. “This will increase transmission reliability for customers in the Fredericton region with fewer interruptions that can be restored within minutes rather than hours or days.”

Emergency Lighting Principles: Safety and Security on the Path of Egress

By Kevin Smee, Vice President Sales at AimLite

Most of us take light for granted. It has become so ubiquitous and cheap to use that we don’t really stop to think about emergencies. Thankfully most buildings are required by law since 1974 to be equipped with emergency lighting that automatically activates during power failures to facilitate our exit.

Emergency lighting is only one component of a building’s life safety systems, but perhaps one of the most important.

Finding the Answer

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