Describes trends in school furniture design, including emphasis on ergonomics, mobility, accommodation of technology, and the use of private sector providers to plan and implement the furniture, fixtures, and equipment portion of school construction budgets. (EV)

Discusses why a properly fitting office chair is an important influence on productivity and health. Features to look for in chair selection, such as quality and adjustability, are highlighted, as are tips for evaluating and choosing a manufacturer. (GR)

Discusses how to build a successful cleaning process in order to most effectively maintain school facilities, explaining that the cleaning processes used plays a critical role in productivity. Focuses on: developing a standardized system; making sure that employees have the right tools for the work they perform; training employees; tracking and…

Presents an interview with Richard Holbrook, designer of classroom furniture, on the "whys" and "hows" of ergonomic school furnishings. (EV)

Presents an interview with Dr. Lorraine Maxwell, an expert in human-environment relations, about important comfort and health issues to consider when looking at the furniture used as computer workstations in U.S. schools. (EV)

Looks at equipment, process, and training aspects of backpack vacuum cleaners that facilitate good ergonomics and high productivity levels, focusing on: designing new equipment for bodies and productivity; creating comfortable backpack harnesses; improving the work process via team training; and providing ergonomic training to ensure that backpack…