What are Ergonomic Injuries and How Do You Prevent Them?

When thinking of on the job injuries, many people might jump to injuries related to dangerous fields. However, some of the most common injuries, especially in an office setting, are carpal tunnel syndrome, muscle strain in the back, and tendinitis. Although it may seem that these injuries just come with the office setting, they are actually all related to poor ergonomics.  

Ergonomics itself is the method used to prevent injury due to poor position, motion, or repetition. They relate to the efficiency and comfort an employee will experience while working. In the workplace, ergonomic injuries are often related to work involving repetitive motion or poor, awkward posture. They often can be sustained by doing the same thing over a long period of time. For example, if an employee works in a call center for many years and constantly types on a computer he may develop tendonitis or carpal tunnel from the repetitive motion over the years of employment.

There are many different preventions to ergonomic injuries. For example, one of the most important parts of the prevention process is fully understanding how to use the equipment you work with. Training is such a big part to prevent any injury. Knowing how to use the equipment for your job can make all of the difference. Another tip is learning some ergonomic tricks to help. For example, varying your position, taking breaks to get up and walk around, and listening to your body if you start to feel uncomfortable or pain. Another important part of preventing ergonomic injuries is understanding your workplace’s safety procedures. Some of them may have been set in place to help avoid such injuries.

Luckily, there are a lot of workplaces that are now investing in ergonomic equipment and office furniture to prevent these injuries. Unfortunately, not every company has made ergonomic safety a priority and employees still suffer from ergonomic-related injuries.  If you feel like you have suffered from an ergonomic injury in the workplace, you may want to seek help from an attorney. If you have questions and want to schedule a free consultation, please call Franco Law Firm at (813) 872-0929.