The Risk of Injury
We spend much of our day in the same position. Whether sitting in a chair or standing in front of an assembly line, out limbs are constantly moving. According to the National Business Group on Health, one in a hundred employees sustain a repetitive motion injury. On average, each of these injuries cost a company $27,700 per case. These are not fluke accidents or unavoidable experiences. Many of these injuries are preventable (National Business Group on Health, 2011). Employees are repeating the same motion, day-in and day-out, usually in an awkward position. They are typing or using the mouse for more than six hours a day while keeping the wrist and fingers in poor positions. They are repetitively bending the back to lift heavy loads. While these activities might seem safe, it is these repetitive motions and positions that pose the greatest risk to an employee’s health.
So how can we help?
Ergonomic specialists design workstations, teach people proper habits, and make individualized equipment recommendations. We could recommend an adjustable chair to ensure neutral postures or develop an exercise routine to keep tissues healthy. Ergonomic specialists have had a lot of success reducing the risk of injury. Companies who have implemented a successful ergonomic program are able to reduce disability days between 10-35%. With a successful ergonomic program, companies have also been able to reduce turnover rates as well as improve return to work rates (Heller-Ono, 2014). At Ergonomics Advance, we are here to help . With our expertise, your company too can reduce the risk of workplace injury. To find out more, please contact us.
Thanks for reading,
Shaul Lent OT/L, MA, CEAS I & II
Lead Ergonomic Specialist
Ergonomics Advance
Sources:
National Business Group on Health (2011). Fact Sheet Overexertion injuries. https://www.businessgrouphealth.org
Heller-Ono, A (2014) A Prospective Study of a Macro-ergonomics Process over Five Years Demonstrates Significant Prevention of Workers’ Compensation Claims Resulting in Projected Savings. Evaluation 30:90