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These articles have been published in various publications. Ergonomics Makes Economic Sense in the Prevention of Repetitive Strain Injuries Today, almost everyone uses a computer. Businesses would be lost without one. Computers have revolutionized the world of communication making everything faster and more efficient. Their increasing usage has resulted in a host of health-related musculoskeletal problems known as Repetitive Strain Injuries (RSI) or Cumulative Trauma Disorders (CTD). RSI are caused by movements and positions that used occasionally in everyday life do not pose a problem, however when combined with high repetition, sustained postures or large forces irritate the tissues and cause pain. Carpal tunnel syndrome, tendonitis, and myalgia (muscle pain) are some of the more common types of RSI which are costly not only to the employee who suffers physically, socially and psychologically, but also to the employer who pays dearly in Workers' Compensation premiums. The office worker, once considered to be at minimal risk for workplace injury, is now becoming a likely candidate for RSI. According to the Workers' Compensation Board, in Ontario the average number of days lost in 1992 by clerical workers due to RSI was 90. A rough estimate of 50% of the cases coming across WCB desks in Ottawa fall under the category of RSI, second only to back injuries. Many workers have pain at work, but often don't report it until they are actually having a problem doing their job. Some of the early signs of carpal tunnel syndrome for example, include motor weakness, aching and numbness in the fingers while keying which subsides once the worker stops keying. In the later stages, the numbness and tingling persist even after resting, often waking a person at night. At this point, the recovery process is slow and surgery may even be required. The average cost associated with rehabilitating a worker at this late stage requiring surgery is estimated at $9,572.00. Therefore, a relatively small amount of money invested in PREVENTION of RSI from the start will ultimately save you money and let workers know that management is truly concerned for their well-being. Increased morale and a healthy work environment can lead to increased productivity. Prevention of RSI starts with an Ergonomic analysis of a workstation to identify problem areas and potential risks for RSI. This analysis studies the relationship between the worker, the workplace and the work. In many offices, workstations are used during a given day by more than one worker. Inevitably these workers are not of the same body type and all too often a short and tall person will use the same size chair and desk. Common sense will tell you that they will not both be comfortable! To create an ergonomically sound workstation, the equipment must be able to be adjusted to fit the worker(s). For a single-user workstation this requires the correct sizing, but less variability than for a multi-user station. It is important to do your homework before purchasing; equipment that will not adjust to fit the worker will not prevent injury. One style of furniture or equipment is unlikely to suit all employee needs, and when searching you should be looking for two options wherever possible so workers can try them out and select the one that suits them best. When ordering chairs for your employees, be sure to take into account the different sizes of your employee population and order seat pans and back supports that will fit both tall and short workers. Some manufacturers have made it possible for seat pans and back supports to be interchangeable so modifications can be made at a later date if required. It is wise to get expert advice at this stage to ensure that you don't have to replace your furniture again in a few years. The second step in prevention is to educate workers so that they recognize the symptoms of RSI and report early. In this way modifications can be made to the workstation and early treatment can minimize lost time. This education process must also include how to adjust equipment such as chairs, keyboards and monitors correctly and the importance of doing so. Ease of adjustment is crucial as a an "ergonomic" workstation is of little value if it is not used well. The third step toward developing an ergonomically sound work station is a good plan for the daily work schedule. This should allow for natural breaks where possible from the keyboard or mouse to do other work activities not involving the same muscle groups. Knowledge of exercises that can relieve tension and fatigue are invaluable. The worker needs to implement these when starting to feel discomfort and intermittently throughout the work day. These exercise breaks are short, but when well timed allow tired muscles to recover quickly and efficiency should improve. The time and money spent up front to ensure employees are able to work comfortably will result in increased efficiency, reduced time lost and improved worker morale. Ergonomic solutions are often common sense ones and are not necessarily costly.  Ergonomic Tips for Work | FAQ | Contact ] |
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