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Every seven seconds a worker is injured on the job. In 2017, these injuries led to more than 104 million production days lost. From offices to construction sites, employees can suffer ergonomic injuries in myriad ways, including pushing too much weight, repeating tasks or sitting in an awkward position.
While these situations are all too common, much can be done to keep employees safe.
Know the Risks
Symptoms of ergonomic injuries include posture problems, intermittent discomfort, tendinitis, chronic pain and disability. If these symptoms go untreated, an employee is susceptible to more long-term problems and even musculoskeletal disorders.
According to National Safety Council analysis of Bureau of Labor Statistics, 295,830 individuals were injured in 2017 due to overexertion and bodily reactions. Employees in the transportation and warehousing industries are the most vulnerable, along with older adult workers.
Protect Your Employees
Training is vital in reducing ergonomic injuries in your workplace. As a safety professional, you can learn to analyze, evaluate and rank workstation hazards. An ergonomic assessment will help tailor the work environment to each employee’s specific role and body type. Making minor revisions in an employee’s setup can make all the difference in keeping them comfortable and injury-free.
Having an ergonomic program will reduce workers’ compensation and health insurance costs, keep your employees safe, improve morale and productivity.
Employees Should Stretch it Out
Even if your workplace is designed perfectly, employees should still take stretch breaks. Below are a few sample target areas:
- Hands and arms: Open your hand, and then make a fist. On that same hand, slide your fingertips up your palm. Stop when your fingertips reach the top of the palm and the base of your fingers for a good stretch.
- Neck and shoulders: Place both hands behind your head, and squeeze your shoulder blades together
- Back and legs: Hold one leg off the floor and keep it straight. Then, point your toes up and down. Repeat with the other leg.
Employees also should stretch and walk around regularly. If they experience ergonomic pain on the job, a supervisor should be informed immediately. If an employee must lift a heavy object, they should keep their back straight and lift with their legs.
Source: National Safety Council
Other Resources: OSHA & Safety+Health
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