”People and technology interacting” was the theme for this year’s work environment conference. The conference was held on 22 October at Läppstiftet in Göteborg and took place during the whole day.
Research is sometimes accused of being far too academic and far-fetched to be put into practice.
 At the San conference in Göteborg on 22 October, an excellent example of just the opposite was given by Erik Styhr Petersen from the Danish company Lyngsö Marine when he presented an automation and navigation system with a completely new way of displaying information, developed in collaboration with the Human Factors group of Chalmers and the Dutch TNO.
Mats Nordström from Stena Line was there to demonstrate his innovation: a specially designed quilt that reduces the strain on employees’ backs and shoulders when they make the beds in the cabins.
In the afternoon the economist Paula Liukkonen was at the podium and explained how to save money through work environment measures, and Kersti Lorén from Previa showed us show to sit, stand and lift to spare our backs. Plenty of breaks and a mingle buffet afterwards all helped to create a most enjoyable atmosphere and a good work environment the whole day long!
You can read more about the conference and the other speakers during the day in the next issue of SAN News.