How Ergonomics Can Help Prevent Workplace Injury

Workplace injuries are an everyday reality facing many employees in the United States. People working in manufacturing, construction, mining, and assembly lines are far more susceptible to injuries than people in other professions. Several types of accidents such as slip and fall accidents, chemical exposure, electrocution, machinery accidents, and scaffolding accidents can cause injuries. The injuries from such accidents can be extremely serious and often fatal as well.

Repetitive Motion Injuries

There are other types of injuries that develop over time due to prolonged exposure to certain elements or by the repeated use of certain body parts. Injuries that are caused by the prolonged and repetitive motion of certain body parts such as the wrist or hands are known as repetitive motion injuries.

Many repetitive motion injuries that affect employees can be avoided by implementing ergonomics in the work environment. Companies may be able to reduce the risk of serious injuries and ultimately save millions of dollars that go into treating such injuries and paying for lost wages.

Creating a Healthier Environment at Work

Some simple changes in the way we work can create a healthier environment at the workplace, help increase productivity, and reduce time lost from work. Ergonomics experts remind us that by doing even the simplest tasks incorrectly, a person can put excessive pressure on a particular joint, tendon, or muscle and cause an injury that renders a person incapable of performing work.

Ergonomics in the Workplace

Ergonomics can be defined as a science of equipment design for the workplace intended to maximize productivity by reducing worker discomfort and fatigue. It relates to fitting workplace conditions to the employees’ abilities and the tasks being performed. Ergonomics involves three basic principles:

• A worker should lift things with the largest muscle group available. For example, to pick up a heavy object one should use the legs instead of the back.
• A worker should be able to move around throughout working hours; sitting or standing in the same position for too long can cause muscle fatigue.
• A worker should be able to keep the joints in a comfortable and natural position at all times. For example, if the employee has to work on a computer for extended hours, then the use of ergonomic keyboards is highly recommended as it can reduce the chances of carpal tunnel syndrome.

A repetitive motion injury manifests itself over a period of time and may gradually worsen to a point where the worker is no longer able to use the affected parts. The worker may require prolonged treatment and may have to miss work for a long time. It is often hard to prove that repetitive motion injuries are a result of the work that the employee performs. It is in the best interest of an injured worker to seek the help of a competent Missouri workers' compensation lawyer.

Call The Law Office of James M. Hoffmann at (314) 361-4300.