Office workers may not realize they are at risk for work injuries just like any other profession. The reason is the risks are quite different than those in a more physical occupation or one where work requires equipment and factory machinery.
If you work in an office, your concerns are more for injuries that develop over time. Strain on your body can lead to conditions that cause a lot of pain and can even be debilitating. According to the Center for Athletic Performance and Physical Therapy, one of the best ways to prevent such work injuries is through the proper use of ergonomics.
Ergonomics defined
Ergonomics is the study of the efficiency of the people in a work environment. It relates to finding solutions that can help to reduce injury. Some examples might be discovering how the right chair height can reduce strain on the wrists of someone who types all day.
Practices
There are many ergonomic solutions that work well in an office. Many involve products you can use, such as stools to help elevate your legs and prevent circulation issues or wrist rests to help prevent wrist strain.
Movements often lead to injuries, so ergonomics can assist with that. For example, sitting for too long can lead to a variety of problems with the joints and blood flow in the body. An ergonomic solution may be taking breaks where you walk around or stretch.
Perhaps the best ergonomic solution for office worker injury is to provide you with education. Your employer should offer training that addresses specific things you need to do to avoid injuries in the office.
