IOM awarded Ergonomics Society President's Medal
Dr Richard Graveling receiving President's Medal
The IOM is pleased to announce that it has been awarded the prestigious President's Medal from the Ergonomics Society. The President's Medal is awarded to an institution or organisational group for work that has made a significant contribution to original research, the development of methodology, or application of knowledge with the field of ergonomics.
The IOM has received this award for its work over more than 30 years relating to the Ergonomics of Personal Protective Equipment (PPE).
Almost by definition, any item of PPE imposes some form of barrier between the wearer/user and the environment. This barrier can create additional strains on the wearer; can impair their ability to carry out task-related activities; or can create sometimes significant levels of discomfort. Any of these can discourage wearers from using PPE correctly, therefore placing them at risk of injury, ill-health or, under extreme circumstances, death. Good ergonomic design can help to minimise these barriers and can therefore help to ensure safe and health working conditions through the correct use of PPE.
The work of the IOM has spanned several decades of work in a variety of sectors where heavy reliance is placed on effective PPE. The work has ranged from fundamental research into issues such as the breathing resistance of respiratory protection and the thermal impact of protective clothing to the application of ergonomics principles to the design, evaluation and selection of PPE. In doing so, IOM ergonomists have helped to promote the requirement for PPE manufacturers to consider ergonomics issues in designing PPE and to encourage employers also to consider ergonomics issues in evaluating or selecting PPE. As a result, many thousands of workers throughout the UK and Europe benefit from PPE which is less intrusive, more comfortable and better fitting.
Speaking about the award, Dr Richard Graveling, Principal Ergonomics Consultant at the IOM said "This award reflects the work of many people in the IOM over the years. Our work on the ergonomics of PPE is only part of our activities in this area, complementing our testing services and other activities relating to the technical performance of PPE. It seems particularly appropriate this year in which we are celebrating 40 years since the IOM was founded."