Most people wouldn’t think of their work as requiring the same kind of attention to their body and mind that pro athletes, for example, give to their line of work. But the irony is that every professional has trained hard in both the physical and mental aspects of their job, from knowing how to type quickly to understanding how to operate heavy machinery. And when it comes to ensuring your workers are healthy and safe, they deserve the same attention that athletic trainers give to football players and Olympians.
Repetitive stress injuries pose a real risk to many workplaces, not just offices. The risks include cost of injury claims, reduced productivity, and decreased morale to name a few. So we encourage workplaces of all kinds and across all industries to consider repetitive stress in your overall injury prevention strategy.
What is a repetitive stress injury?
The stereotypical repetitive stress injury most people are aware of is carpal tunnel syndrome, but that’s far from the only injury caused or worsened by repetitive movements. Just a few repetitive movements that can lead to injury include:
- Using a drill or other power tools
- Assembly line work
- Frequent lifting
These injuries can affect both delicate joints like the wrists as well as areas like the entire spine, especially when tasks don't take the individual workers’ body mechanics into account. Once you’re aware of the risks that are always around a given role or workplace, maybe it doesn’t seem so crazy to give your workers the extra attention that a linebacker or marathon runner gets.
Preventing repetitive stress injury
The good news is that most people can avoid repetitive stress injuries by adopting a few tweaks to their work routine, often with little to no impact on productivity or quality. However, the strategies vary widely considering the many different types of injuries that your workers might be at risk for, as well as each individual job’s demands on a person’s joints and muscles.
Varying movements and taking breaks
An incredibly simple way to help your workers reduce the risk of repetitive stress injuries is by switching up their routine. Office workers are often advised to stand up from the desk and walk or stretch for a few minutes every hour. Assembly line techs may benefit from a similar routine. Of course, you know how feasible these strategies may or may not be for your scenario, which is why this isn’t the only reliable strategy we implement in workplaces nationwide.
Using braces or assistive devices
Anyone who has recovered from something like a serious back injury will likely never take their physical health for granted again, and will often change their lifestyle dramatically to avoid future pain and recovery time. This includes using knee, back, or wrist braces as long as it doesn’t significantly interfere with their work.
You don’t have to wait for people to get hurt to help them implement accommodations that can prevent injuries from happening in the first place. Ask our team about our experience implementing assistive technology and non-rigid supports into workplaces to learn more about how this might apply to your industry or unique workflow.
Ergonomics
There’s more to ergonomics than strange-looking computer keyboards. Providing ergonomic assessments to individuals as well as having a comprehensive workplace ergonomic evaluation can be an easily scalable way to prevent injuries across a wide variety of roles. At their best, ergonomic solutions allow workers to use correct posture and body mechanics at all times without sacrificing productivity or comfort.
Strength training
Finally, being more physically fit is not only good for individuals’ personal long-term health, but also for their capacity at work. You’ll have a much easier time handling 50-lb loads if you’re strong enough to handle 75-lb loads, for example. But when you really start to pay attention to the strength of your workers, you’ll start to see strength applies to more than pure muscle mass. Athletic trainers and exercise physiologists implement job conditioning and strength training to improve and maintain joint health, which includes mobility and dexterity for more reliable quality out of certain roles.
Your partner in workplace injury prevention
Let us show you the evidence for these benefits and how they apply to your industry and business model through a conversation with you and your team.
We can be your partner in injury prevention and workforce activation, while providing attractive benefits to your workers. A Work-Fit team provides not only the tailored injury prevention strategy for your unique workplace, but also the resources and staff on-site to handle compliance, wellness, and injury management when the worst happens.
Start a conversation with our team about the hidden costs and hidden benefits of repetitive stress injury prevention by calling or contacting us online today.
