Understanding and Preventing Ergonomic Injuries

Office environments are often associated with relative comfort and safety. However, they can pose subtle but significant health risks if not properly managed. Among these risks, ergonomic injuries — also known as musculoskeletal disorders — are becoming a concerning trend.

It's crucial for employees and employers to understand the nature of these injuries and how to prevent them. Let’s take a deep dive into ergonomic injuries, how they can occur, and effective strategies to prevent them. After all, a healthy workplace is not only a more comfortable one but also a more productive one.

In simple terms, they are health conditions that result from strain and overuse of certain muscles, nerves, and tendons, particularly from repetitive actions. They are quite common in office settings where employees engage in similar activities or maintain the same posture for extended periods.

Among the most common ergonomic injuries are carpal tunnel syndrome, resulting from pressure on the wrist's median nerve, and back and neck injuries, often due to improper posture or inadequate office chairs. Tendonitis, an inflammation of the tendons due to repetitive motion or overuse, is also frequently encountered.

According to multiple studies, ergonomic injuries account for approximately one-third of all occupational injuries. These injuries have significant consequences, affecting individual productivity and overall workplace efficiency. Notably, they can lead to chronic pain, reduced job performance, and even disability in severe cases.

Ergonomic injuries are not sudden accidents but gradual developments that can escalate if not addressed early. Therefore, understanding the nature of these injuries is the first crucial step toward prevention, leading to a healthier and more productive work environment.

Carpal Tunnel Syndrome: This condition is caused by pressure on the median nerve in your wrist, often due to repetitive activities like typing or mouse use. Symptoms can include numbness, tingling, and weakness in the hand.

Tendonitis: This occurs when tendons, the thick cords that attach your muscles to your bones, become inflamed or irritated. In an office setting, it can be caused by repetitive tasks, awkward positions, or forceful exertion.

Lower Back Pain: Spending prolonged periods sitting, especially with poor posture or in a chair without sufficient back support, can lead to lower back pain.

Neck Strain: Often related to improper monitor height or angle, causing workers to crane their necks to view their screens.

Tennis Elbow (Lateral Epicondylitis): Despite its name, office workers can get this too! It's caused by repetitive wrist and arm motions, such as computer mouse use.

Thoracic Outlet Syndrome: This is a group of disorders that occur when the blood vessels or nerves in the space between your collarbone and your first rib (the thoracic outlet) are compressed. This can cause pain in your shoulders and neck and numbness in your fingers.

Bursitis: This is inflammation of the small fluid-filled pads (bursae) that act as cushions among your bones and the tendons and muscles near your joints. Office workers can experience this condition in the shoulder, elbow, or hip.

Vision Problems: While not an ergonomic injury per se, improper positioning or glare from computer monitors can lead to eye strain, blurred vision, and headaches.

Ergonomic injuries typically develop gradually over time due to repetitive movements, poor posture, and inadequate workspace setup. The good news is that many of these conditions can be prevented with some changes and attention to ergonomics.

Ergonomic injuries often stem from an interplay of various factors in an office environment. The repetitive nature of many office tasks and inadequate office ergonomics often leads to strain and overuse of specific muscles and tendons.

For instance, typing on a keyboard for hours on end can put excessive strain on the wrists and hands, leading to conditions like carpal tunnel syndrome. Similarly, sitting for extended periods in chairs without adequate back support or incorrect height can cause back and neck pain.

Incorrect body postures are another significant cause of ergonomic injuries. Slouching, craning the neck to look at a screen, or even an incorrectly positioned mouse can strain muscles over time.

Office equipment, including your desk, chair, and accessories, plays a critical role in either facilitating or preventing ergonomic injuries. Therefore, it's important to have furniture and tools designed to support the body's natural posture and movements.

Ergonomics is more than just a workplace buzzword — it's a crucial component of a productive and healthy work environment. By understanding and implementing proper ergonomics, businesses can help prevent the onset of ergonomic injuries in their employees.

A well-designed workspace, considering ergonomics principles, can significantly improve comfort, decrease the risk of injuries, and increase productivity. For example, a chair that offers lumbar support and can be adjusted to the correct height will help maintain a natural spine alignment, reducing the risk of back pain.

Even positioning the computer monitor at eye level or using a keyboard that promotes a natural wrist posture can have a big impact.

The significance of ergonomics isn't just about individual comfort — it's a strategic move for businesses. According to a study in the International Journal of Industrial Ergonomics, implementing ergonomics interventions can reduce work-related musculoskeletal disorders, decreasing absenteeism and increasing productivity.

Creating an ergonomic workspace isn't a luxury — it's an investment in the health and productivity of the workforce. In the next section, we'll provide practical steps you can take to prevent ergonomic injuries and create a workspace that promotes well-being and productivity.

Preventing ergonomic injuries requires a proactive approach to workspace design, body posture, and work habits. Here are some practical steps you can take:

Creating an Ergonomic Workspace: Start by adjusting your chair to ensure your feet are flat on the floor and your knees are at or slightly lower than hip level. Your monitor should be at eye level and about an arm's length away. When typing, your wrists should be straight and your elbows close to your body, creating an L-shape at the elbow joint.

Choosing the Right Office Furniture: Investing in ergonomic furniture is a key step to preventing these injuries. Look for chairs with good lumbar support and adjustability, desks at the right height, and consider using ergonomic accessories like keyboard trays or a mouse that fits well in your hand. Our own range of performance seating has been designed keeping these principles in mind.

Regular Breaks and Exercise: Take short breaks every 30 minutes to stretch or walk around. Regular movement helps to avoid the strain that comes from sitting in one position for too long.

Proper Posture: Maintain a neutral body position, with your back straight, shoulders relaxed, and arms close to your sides. This reduces strain on your muscles and joints.

Consistent movement and stretching are vital components of an ergonomic approach to office work. Sitting or performing repetitive tasks for extended periods can strain your body, leading to discomfort and potentially more serious injuries over time. To counteract this, frequent breaks and specific stretches can make a significant difference.

Stretching Exercises: Incorporating simple stretching exercises into your workday can greatly aid in preventing ergonomic injuries. Here are a few suggestions:

Neck Stretch: Gently tilt your head towards your shoulder and hold for 15 to 20 seconds on each side. Repeat a few times throughout the day.

Wrist Stretch: Extend your arm in front of you with your palm up. With your other hand, gently bend your wrist down to stretch your forearm, and hold for 15 to 20 seconds. Repeat on the other side.

Back and Shoulder Stretch: Stand and interlock your fingers, then turn your palms towards the ceiling. Stretch upward, and hold for 10 to 15 seconds.

Hip and Knee Stretch: While sitting, hug one knee at a time, pulling it toward your chest. Hold this position for 15 to 20 seconds. Repeat with your other knee.

Perform these stretches gently and slowly to avoid injury.

Integrating regular breaks and stretches into your work routine can significantly reduce the risk of ergonomic injuries, enhance your comfort, and boost your productivity. It's a small investment of time for a large payoff in health and efficiency.

Ergonomic injuries can significantly impact employees' productivity and overall health. But with knowledge and proactive measures, these injuries are preventable.

Understanding the cause of ergonomic injuries and implementing an ergonomics-focused approach to your workspace can help keep you healthy, comfortable, and productive. Whether you're an employer or an employee, investing in ergonomics is a wise decision that can pay off in terms of increased comfort, reduced risk of injury, and improved productivity.

A primary factor in avoiding ergonomic and work injuries is a properly built office. By using a chair that better fits your body through adjustability, a desk at the proper height to reduce back strain, and monitors mounted at the proper height to reduce neck and eye pain, you can create a more ergonomic workspace with Branch.

Sources:

The 5 Most Common Ergonomic Injuries | DORN

Ergonomic Hazards | California Department of Industrial Relations 

Bursitis - Symptoms and causes | Mayo Clinic

Sitting positions: Posture and back health | Medical News Today