Defeating
Workplace Repetitive Strain Injuries
Repetitive
strain injuries (RSI's) in the workplace, including,
but not limited to carpal tunnel syndrome and
tendonitis, have risen to pandemic proportions
during the past 5 years. Without even considering
worldwide costs, the United States alone spends
more than 100 billion annually.
These annual
expenditures include lost time from work, job
retraining, light duty restrictions, employee
replacements / fill-ins, rehabilitation, surgery,
increased insurance premiums and many other
factors. Even with these tremendous costs to
businesses, individuals, government and taxpayers,
the problem continues to be ignored, resulting
in an even greater number of workplace injuries
and overall costs.
“Musculoskeletal
disorders are the country's most costly category
of workplace injuries and illnesses. In addition
to spending $20 billion annually on workers'
compensation costs due to RSI's, the U.S.
spends another $100 billion on lost productivity,
employee turnover, and other indirect expenses.” The
Agency for Health Care Policy and Research .
The solution?
Quit ignoring the problem and implement “prevention” protocols
to eliminate repetitive strain injuries before
they arise! Here are a few ways to do just
that, with minimal costs to businesses and
huge long-term savings for everyone!
Job/Task
Rotation
Job rotation helps to eliminate repetitive strain injuries in the workplace.
When implementing job rotation, the tasks must engage different muscle groups
in order to allow recovery for those muscle groups already being strained.
Be sure that each task takes not longer than 1-hour before moving to another
task.
Workstation
Design
In this category the key is to fit the
workplace to the worker, not the worker to
the workplace in order to reduce the onset
of repetitive strain injuries. Having a properly
designed workstation decreases the effort required
in order to maintain a proper working position.
(The workstation must be adjustable to fit
the worker.)
Tools
The use of proper (ergonomic) tools and equipment significantly decreases the
amount of force necessary to complete any given task, thereby reducing the
chance of becoming afflicted with a repetitive strain injury. These tools
don't actually eliminate the onset of a repetitive strain injury, but may
increase the time in which it takes to get the injury. ( i.e. The
injury occurs in 10- years instead of 2-years)
Work
Habits
Taking necessary breaks and performing stretches
and exercises to keep the over and underused muscles balanced are the most
significant elements in preventing repetitive strain injuries from arising.
Well-balanced muscles eliminate nerve impingement syndromes like carpal tunnel
syndrome and encourage circulation, providing oxygen to surrounding muscles
and nerves.
Talk with
your employee health supervisor about implementing
the necessary protocols to keep workers healthy
and costs down. Take the responsibility of
your health into your own hands and do the
things necessary to prevent a repetitive strain
injury from affecting you!
Author: Jeff
Anliker, LMT, is a Therapist and Inventor of
Therapeutic Exercise Products that are utilized
by Corporations, Consumers and Medical Facilities
around the world for the prevention
and rehabilitation of repetitive strain
injuries. ergo-intervention.com
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