Ergonomic Injuries

Ergonomics refers to the mechanics of the body and how the workplace environment can be improved to prevent ergonomics injuries and increase worker productivity and comfort. If you work in an office setting you are probably familiar with the basics. If not, you need to learn them because sitting at a desk can be harder on your body than you may realize. Sitting causes circulation in the legs and feet to slow and puts excess pressure on the intervertebral discs which can lead to pain and injury.

The first step is to evaluate your work area and see where improvements can be made. When sitting at your desk, your shoulders should be relaxed, back straight, feet on the floor and keyboard at waist level. Arms should comfortably extend without straining or being cramped to reach the keys. Your monitor should be at eye level so you can keep your neck straight and aligned. Bending your neck for a better view can lead to strain in not just the neck area but also the shoulders and back. If you find you are not sitting properly there are some adjustments you can make.

For ergonomic health the right furniture is very important. Perhaps the most important piece is the ergonomic chair. These chairs are made to support the back and adjust to the height of the user. If you find that your feet do not rest on the floor when your chair is adjusted properly there are slanted footrests you can use. They give your feet a comfortable place to rest, help you maintain the proper posture and even help increase circulation because of the angle. Another item you may want to look at is the lumbar support cushion, which easily fits on most any office chair.

One of the most common sense ways to prevent ergonomic injuries is to take frequent breaks. Every hour, give yourself a few minutes to stand up, stretch and even walk around if you can. If you type a lot, stretch your hands and wrists. There are specific carpal tunnel and repetitive stress injury prevention exercises that can be done before, during and after each work session. If this is an area in which you want to learn more check out a book like Office Ergonomics: Preventing Repetitive Motion Injuries and Carpal Tunnel Syndrome by author Susan Orr.

Technorati Tags: Ergonomics, Ergonomic Solutions, Ergonomic Injuries

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