While safety and health managers do their best to eliminate accident risks in the workplace, from minimizing the potential for falls and other mishaps, the less conspicuous costs incurred from MDS’s, or muscular-skeletal disorders, are causing a significant impact—and employees may not even realize it. Many workers may assume that pains in their shoulder, wrists, Neck, back and elbows may be “part of the job” until the increasing severity of these conditions leads to debilitating results. According to the Occupational Safety and Health Administration, OSHA, MDS’s account for more $15 billion a year in worker’s compensation costs.
Training Managers to Become Ergonomic Watchdogs
Identifying pending MSD situations, even when an employee isn’t complaining, can avoid costly consequences for the business and painful consequences for the employee. Look out for these red flags:
- Employees holding their backs or straining when they get up out of their office chairs
- Employees stopping work to massage or shake their wrists
- Employees rubbing their neck or shoulders frequently
- Look for vulture neck-the drooping of the head and neck forward due to improper monitor height
Recommended Solutions to MSD’s
Ergonomic office chair back rests are specifically designed for use with desk chairs and provide the added support to the lumbar, minimizing back strain.
Wrist supports position the hands properly and protect the wrists to Prevent Strain from repetitive motions like mousing.
Ergonomic keyboard trays position the arms and wrists at the proper angle and distance to prevent strain from the repetitious actions from daily typing.
Monitor risers elevate the computer screen to the proper height to prevent “vulture neck.” Vulture neck may eventually lead to chronic neck and shoulder pain.
Get more information on implementing ergonomic practices that reduce MSD’s and keep employees happy and your office productive. Workplace Well-Being Guidelines.
