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| Safety & Workers' Compensation |
| Workplace Safety: Avoiding |
You won't see them on a fashion show runway in Paris, but those nifty wrist braces, worn by carpal tunnel syndrome sufferers have recently seemed to be all the rage in the workplace. To the employer, these injuries represent more than an office "fashion statement."
They represent thousand of dollars-worth of lost revenue due to decreased productivity, absenteeism and workers' compensation expenses. CTS (carpal tunnel syndrome) and ulnar nerve entrapment are just two ailments in a growing list of work-related injuries. Frequently, these injuries are caused by repetitive motion, but there are other contributing factors, such as high production demands and infrequent breaks.
What can an employer do about reducing the frequency or severity of cumulative trauma injuries like CTS? Start by contacting our Human Resources Department to request information about an ergonomic evaluation. We can help spot problems and suggest some solutions. In addition, Beth Morland, safety director for Cedar Hill Assurance suggests some of the following:
- Be certain that work stations are designed to keep the shoulders, elbows and wrists at proper angles (An ergonomic evaluation will help accomplish this).
- Be certain your employees take advantage of breaks and take time to stretch.
- Rotate jobs.
- Educate employees about the importance of proper posture along with the diet, exercise, and stress relief.
- Alter the work routine so that it does not consist solely of repetitive types of work. Mix in an opportunity for other duties.
Source: "Common Sense Approaches to Injury Prevention," The PEO Insider
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