Ergonomics:
“Convincing workers who are not in pain that ergonomics is important is difficult, trying to convince young workers of this importance is sometimes impossible until it is too late”.
Why Bother?
Would you like to be pain-free for a longer period of your life?
Would you like to take steps to reduce your pain in your back, neck and arms while at work?
Would you like to be happier, healthier and wealthier?
Would you like your employees to be more comfortable, healthier and more productive?
An Ergonomically set out workstation can help. Read below to find out how.
History
Ergonomics is not as new as some people would think. In Italy in 1713, Dr Bernardino Ramazinni first noted some relationship between specific disorders and posture, repetition, lifting of heavy weights and specific disorders. (Ramazinni, B. Diseases of Workers: Latin Text 1713). He also recommended that workers take part in physical activity to limit the impact of prolonged sitting.
Ergonomics grew further during World War II when it became apparent that people were the weakest link in modern sophisticated military equipment and combat. At that time it was acknowledged that this sophisticated military equipment, for example aeroplanes, function could be compromised by poor design of controls and pilot position. The concept of individual fitting of equipment and tools of military personnel using it became a science and an art and is still evolving today.
So what is Ergonomics?
Ergonomics deals with the human body's responses to physical and physiological loads. Relevant areas include manual materials handling, workstation layout, job demands and risk factors such as repetition, vibration, force and awkward/static posture as they relate to musculoskeletal disorders including repetitive strain injuries. You or your employees may currently be at risk of developing an injury.
What is RSI?
Repetitive Stain Injuries have many names in different countries and over time, but most commonly it has been called work related upper limb disorders (by WHO), occupational overuse syndrome (in NZ) and cumulative trauma disorders (in USA) and a growing number or people are referring to computer related injuries.
Facts:
- 15-20% of computer users in the world have RSI
- 75% of computer users in India have RSI
- 67% of claims by government employees in Australia in 2004-2005 were from repetitive movements with low muscle loading (the majority of whom have desk jobs)
- $34,000 – average total cost of claims for RSI for one person
Pathology:
Repetition of a task, particularly in a poor position causes increased stress over various muscles, tendons, nerves and other soft tissues resulting in RSI. Here are some examples:
Carpal tunnel syndrome is often related to wrist position at the computer, most often the mouse hand or the writing hand
Back and Neck pain is usually the result of poor posture, poor body mechanics or poor strength.
Thoracic outlet syndrome may be due to an extra rib but more often is due to awkward posture, cradling the phone between the ear and shoulder or holding the shoulder in a shrugged or tense position for prolonged periods
Tendonitis / tenosynovitis are conditions of the wrist, elbow or shoulder sometimes called tennis elbow or De Quervain's syndrome or rotator cuff pathology, these are often due to having the arm over extended or in poor alignment
Tension headaches / Neck strains are mostly due to poor neck posture or incorrect computer screen height.
Can this be prevented?
YES!!!!!
Individualised workstation setup:
There is no such thing as a one size fits all set up. There is a great variety of body sizes, shapes and proportions. A correctly set up station for 5 foot 6 inch person is definitely not
healthy for a 6 foot 5 inch person. Looking at an ergonomic diagram will give you a general guide, though will not be specific to the particular task an employee takes part in. Many factors need to be considered including pre-existing conditions, and tools to be used such a computer mouse. Job specific set ups are critical.
Correct posture:
Even a perfectly set up station for a person’s size may be abused or incorrectly used by an untrained person. For example, a slouching round shoulder position or sagging on top of the keyboard is harmful. Our position of our bodies is crucial to maintaining and improving the health of our musculoskeletal system. The most commonly seen ergonomic mistake we find when assessing workers is the tall person sagging halfway down their nice ergonomic chair and wondering why their back keeps getting sore at the end of the day.
Good work habits:
It is important to have regular breaks and stretch during work.
This will not only encourage a healthy body, but a healthy mind too. It is essential to be both healthy and content with your work in order to feel more comfortable and thereby improve your productivity. Who knows, a promotion may then come your way.
People younger than 40 think that if they are not in pain they don’t need to worry about ergonomics, “it is something that happens to old people”. Well the truth is that it is much easier to teach a young person correct positions for life and prevent injuries than it is treating a pain which may lead to degeneration and ultimately arthritis. Also good ergonomics is good for everyone; it improves your position, your performance and your posture benefiting both the employer and the employee.
The best way to know that you have a correctly set up workstation, and that you are doing the exercises best for you is to have a professional attend to your workplace and make appropriate adjustments, change habits and teach physical well-being.
Here are some samples of stretches that may help you. Please contact us if are suffering from any of the symptoms mentioned above, or a simply interested in taking an important step towards your future health.
Be kind to your body and your businesses health. Stop the pain before it stops you.
If you would like a free card with the complete set of ergonomics stretches, send me an email or phone (08) 9277 9900
Salem Domiati
salem@completecorporatehealth.com
www.completecorporatehealth.com
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