COT seeks outstanding office ergonomics programs

Office World News, Oct 1999

ALEXANDRIA, VA-The Center for Office Technology (COT) is calling for nominations for the third annual Outstanding Office Ergonomics Award. The award recognizes and promotes outstanding office ergonomics programs. Two awards will be given in 2000-one recognizing a private sector program and one recognizing a public sector program.

PJ Edington, COT executive director, said, "By presenting this award, COT acknowledges and honors the successful implementation of sound office ergonomics programs.

"COT hopes that recognizing successful, innovative office ergonomics programs which promote a variety of approaches will challenge others to implement programs in their organizations," she said.

The 1999 winner of the Outstanding Office Ergonomics Award was the Intel Corporation with honorable mentions awarded to the City of Portland, OR, and Bankers Trust of New York.

"Both large and small organizations are encouraged to apply. The size of the workforce involved will not be a determining factor. Applications will be evaluated and judged on program results, breadth, longevity, innovation, and sharing," Edington conluded.

A panel of expert judges representing academia, human resource and ergonomics professionals, and COT members will review and select the winners.

Established in 1985, the Center for Office Technology is a national association of employers and manufactuers dedicated to improving the office working environment and promoting informed approaches to comfort and well-being issues associated with computers and office technology. COT's members believe that many of the concerns associated with office technology can be effectively addressed by paying careful attention to the manner in which technology is introduced, the physical ergonomics of workstations, and the design of jobs and tasks.

Applications must be submitted by January 31, 2000. For complete information, call COT at 703-684-7760, e-mail CtrOfTek@erols.com, or visit their website at www.COT.org.