Ergonomists gamble on learning solutions: Department of Defense and networking highlight conference activities.(KEEPING PACE WITH HE)

Ergonomists from industry, military, health care and other fields descended upon the biggest little city in the world, Reno, Nev., in March for the 12 th annual Applied Ergonomics Conference and Expo.

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The event, themed" Improve, Impact, Influence the Future," took place at the Grand Sierra Resort and drew hundreds of professionals from around the globe to learn about and share the latest ergonomics solutions. Attendees took part in workshops about ergonomics basics, tools and cost-benefit analyses and took advantage of networking through workshops and other events, including a sneak preview session of the conference exhibit hall, which drew about 200 people.

Conference co-chair Gary Orr said the casino atmosphere added a level of liveliness to the event. "We try to create an atmosphere where practitioners can get together to learn and share. It's really a fun climate that comes about."

Another highlight to the 2009 conference was a special seminar track co-sponsored by the U.S. Department of Defense (DoD). The track, "Ergonomics - The Department of Defense Perspective," advised practitioners on ergonomics practices performed by the Armed Services in areas like patient handling, health care and safety.

"Not everyone has to deal with carrying wounded off the battlefield, but there are a lot of scenarios in terms of maintenance and health care situations that are similar in the military with what a lot of (private companies) have to deal with," Orr said.

Army Lt. Col. Myrna Callison, chair of the DoD Ergonomics Working Group that is inclusive of all military branches, said the Applied Ergonomics Conference and Expo is a good venue for the military to show some of the best practices that they have collected and started throughout the DoD.