Ergonomics . . . "Optimizing all aspects of job performance - health, safety, quality, productivity, comfort - through the appropriate design and use of workstations and equipment, work processes and the overall organization of work." | Well, rather than throw a ball into the air, let's say you need to reach to a low file drawer or to assemble a component at a low level. The body position most likely used is to just bend over at the waist. From a health and safety, as well as productivity standpoint, we recognize this work position can cause problems. But unfortunately it is a commonly observed work position. How about this for a solution - whenever we see someone in this poor position we tactfully tap them on the shoulder and say, ‘When you are in that bad position, be really, really, really careful you don’t hurt yourself! That makes about as much sense as telling the ball to, "Just stay in the air!" | 
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A much better solution is to. . . CHANGE THE CIRCUMSTANCES TO CHANGE THE RESPONSE! We could reposition either the worker or the work; for example, use a rolling stool. We could put the equipment on a lift to raise it up or we could put a pit in the floor to lower the person. (Don't laugh too much - this has been done. For example mechanics changing oil work underneath the vehicle work this way.) Bottom line: given a certain set of circumstances, we will typically respond in a predictable way. If we want to change the RESPONSE We need to change the CIRCUMSTANCES! | 
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