Ergonomic injuries are musculoskeletal disorders that can affect various parts of the human body. The risk factors depend on the nature of your profession, but there is no such thing as a completely safe job from an ergonomic injury perspective.
Common Injuries Experienced by Office Workers
One of the benefits of working in an office is the fact that you are not required to exert yourself physically. This may be true, but there are some lurking dangers that many people overlook.
Your back and your neck are in the same position all day long when you work in an office, and there are risks associated with sitting for long periods. In addition to the spine and the neck, when you use a computer all day, your hands are going to get a workout.
A significant percentage of workplace injuries among office workers are ergonomic in nature. In 2013, the Bureau of Labor Statistics found that one-third of workplace injuries were musculoskeletal disorders, so this is a widespread phenomenon.
It is up to your employer to provide you with a workplace that will limit your vulnerability to injuries. If you believe there is something that could be provided that would make you more comfortable at your workstation, you should raise the matter with your supervisor.
You can discuss your concerns and potential suggestions with coworkers and perhaps brainstorm useful ideas. If you are in management, you should encourage this type of feedback, because healthy workers are more productive.
Also, managers limit their exposure to legal action if they go the extra mile to prevent ergonomic injuries in the office. Training is an essential piece of this approach, and you should encourage your employees to come forward to report any physical problems that they are experiencing.
Carpal tunnel syndrome. One of the most common ergonomic injuries that people experience in an office environment is carpal tunnel syndrome (CTS). When you use your hands repetitively working on a computer, you are putting undue pressure on the median nerve, and this can trigger CTS eventually.
The symptoms of CTS include a tingling sensation in your hand that can extend your fingers, and you may experience a sense of numbness. It can broaden to impact your arm, and your ability to grip objects can be impaired.
This condition can strike anyone, but statistics indicate that women are more vulnerable. There are some habits that you can acquire that can help you prevent CTS. You should try to keep your hands loose and avoid gripping things too tightly.
Another simple but important factor is rest. You should try to take short but frequent breaks to give your hands and wrists a chance to recover.
This can sound counterintuitive when you have deadlines to meet and a well-developed work ethic. However, if you think about it logically, you are preserving your ability to provide quality work over the long term.
Lower back pain
There are lower back muscle strains that can develop when you are sitting in the same place all day, and people who perform physical work can certainly injure their backs. If you are sitting at a desk, you should pay attention to your posture, and ergonomic office chairs are available.
Obviously, you want to make sure that you bend your knees and lift objects properly if this is part of your job. If there is no serious structural damage, periodic visits to a chiropractor can relieve pain and allow you to feel more comfortable.
Tendinitis
Another common ergonomic injury that you may experience at work is tendinitis, which is an inflammation of a tendon. Your tendons are fibrous connective tissues that connect your muscles to the bones in your body, and an inflammation can be quite painful.
You can develop tendinitis in your wrist if you use your hands often, and it can impact your shoulders, heels, knees, and elbows. Occupational tendinitis cases are caused by frequent exertion, repetitive movements, and tasks that involve a lot of reaching.
Sometimes a solution seems overly simplistic, but nonetheless, it is the right way to proceed. If you develop tendinitis, you should do whatever it takes to reduce the activity that caused the problem in the first place.
When you feel a flare-up, you should take a break and recognize the warning that your body is sending you. Depending on your job requirements and the nature of the tendinitis, you may be able to make adjustments that minimize the impact.
There are braces that can be utilized, and there are some technological solutions. For example, if you have tendinitis in your wrist and/or hand because you type all day, you may want to utilize voice recognition software to reduce your keystrokes.
Rotator Cuff Injuries
If you are a baseball fan, you have undoubtedly read stories about pitchers who experience rotator cuff injuries. The rotator cuff is a cluster of sinew that keeps your shoulder in place, and you become more vulnerable to this type of injury as you age.
Clearly, if you have been working in an occupation that requires a lot of overhead reaching, lifting, and general use of your shoulders, you are a candidate for a rotator cuff injury. In addition to the cumulative damage, a single event could cause a tear in your rotator cuff.
There are exercises that you can do to help to strengthen your rotator cuff after an injury, and surgery can provide a solution in some cases. However, the recovery time is considerable, so surgery is a big step to take.
Lateral Epicondylitis
Another relatively common ergonomic injury is colloquially referred to as tennis elbow, and the medical term for the condition is lateral epicondylitis. If you overwork your elbow over an extended period, this condition can develop.
The initial treatment should be the application of ice, rest, and the use of some type of over-the-counter anti-inflammatory to ease the pain. If the elbow does not respond to these commonsense remedies, you should discuss the appropriate treatment with your doctor.
What Should You Do After a Workplace Injury?
You should protect your legal rights when you are injured when you are on the job, even if it is a condition that has developed over time. If an accident caused the injury, you should immediately report it to your supervisor and file an accident report so that a claim for workers’ compensation can be filed.
Even if you do not believe you are injured when an accident occurs, you should still file the report because you may experience the impact later. A failure to report the accident will make it difficult for you to contend that you were injured on the job if a problem emerges in the future.
Obviously, you should see a doctor if your injury is severe enough to warrant medical attention. In some cases, an employer will tell you to go to a particular doctor, and they may have an agenda that is not necessarily in your best interests.
You have every right to go to a different health care provider, and you should assert that right if you believe a second opinion is necessary.
Our Office Injury Lawyers in Cherry Hill Help Workers Recover from Ergonomic Accidents
If you have suffered ergonomic injuries at work, the Cherry Hill Office Injury lawyers at Pietras Saracino Smith & Meeks, LLP, are ready to provide representation. We can gain an understanding of your case and take care of the legal logistics while you devote your energy to the healing process. Workers’ compensation is our focus. Call us today at 856-761-3773 or contact us online to schedule a free consultation. Located in Cherry Hill, New Jersey, we serve clients in Camden, Cinnaminson, Delran, Maple Shade, Pennsauken, and throughout South Jersey.
