By Amanda Rawdon, OTR/L, CLT, CEAS II Occupational Therapist at Pekin Hospital — Staffed by Professional Therapy Services
How safe and comfortable are your daily environments? Do they match your needs and behaviors? That’s the value of ergonomics.
Coming from the Greek word for “work” and “natural,” ergonomics is the process of matching your physical characteristics with your environment. Proper use of ergonomics can help increase comfort and efficiency, prevent injury, and reduce stress, particularly in the workplace.
According to information provided by the Economic Policy Institute, there are approximately 23,000 on-the-job injuries in the United States each day. These disorders range from rotator cuff syndrome to osteoarthrosis to carpal tunnel syndrome.
Risk factors for work-related injuries include bad posture, static muscle work, repetitive movements, and overexertion. The more intense the risk factor, the higher the risk of serious injury.
So, what can you do to make sure your environment is ergonomically correct? Here are a few simple suggestions:
Don’t slouch — Sit up straight, keep your feet flat on the floor, and make sure your shoulders are relaxed. Move your chair as close to your work as possible to help avoid odd positions, reaching, and leaning.
Avoid eye strain — Keep your monitor at least an arm’s length away from your eyes. Take periodic breaks from reading or staring at a computer, tablet, smart phone, etc.
Stand up — Try to limit the amount of time you spend sitting. Work while standing if you have an adjustable desk.
Stretch and exercise — Even at your desk, you can perform a few simple and healthy movements. Head rolls, wrist stretches, and shoulder shrugs are just a few quick and easy ideas. Consult your physician for additional suggestions, or visit websites such as ergonomics-info.com.
Watch for other office hazards — Keep an eye out for cables and cords that might be a safety issue. Also, use a headset instead of holding your phone to your ear or bracing it against your shoulder.
Work can be challenging enough without setting yourself up for potential injury. Follow these tips and see what a difference an ergonomically friendly environment can make!
For more information, contact Pekin Hospital’s Therapy Department at 309-353-0439 or log on to pekinhospital.org. Pekin Hospital is part of Progressive Health Systems, which includes ProHealth Medical Group and the Pekin Hospital Foundation.