The Importance of Ergonomics in the Workplace As Explained By An Injury Lawyer

An experienced workplace injury attorney Los Angeles can spend a lot of their time advising and dealing with claims involving repetitive movement injury. Otherwise known as repetitive strain injury (RSI), this type of work related injury makes up for around 60% of all work related accidents. It costs companies millions of dollars each and every year in reduced productivity and temporary replacements and is sadly on the increase. In many instances the addition of ergonomic furniture and work stations can decrease repetitive movement injuries by as much as 70% and some companies saw workers compensation claims drop by as much as 89%.

What is repetitive movement Injury?

In essence a repetitive movement injury is a tiny tear to the muscle fibers or connective tissue of a joint and is caused when a person (usually at work) is repeatedly going through the same motions. This may be through constantly typing away on a keyboard, or on an assembly line, where a person is constantly bending, or in a warehouse, where they are lifting. Examples of repetitive movement injury are neck and back pain, carpel tunnel syndrome, bursitis and tendinitis and occur in joints such as the toes, fingers, wrists, arms, shoulders and lower back. If left untreated, they can result in partial or full loss of the joint. So how can an ergonomic environment help? A workplace injury attorney explains.

How can an ergonomically designed workplace help?

An ergonomically designed work area matches employees' physical capabilities and their work responsibilities through a superior design of tools, workstations and equipment. By cutting down on work related injuries, ergonomics directly helps the business bottom line by reducing work related injury claims.

Setting up an Ergonomic workspace?

One of the first things that should be done is to identify which areas of your workplace are most at risk from RSI's and deal with that area firstly. In the case of an office, look at computer monitor and keyboard placement. Chairs, desks and seating positions also need to be looked at. One of the most important aspects of an ergonomically designed space is to look at the area holistically, and not just the equipment.

Lighting

A balance of incandescent and fluorescent lighting works best. This will reduce the glare and reflections from computer screens. Windows should also have adjustable shades so that brightness can be controlled if needs be. Constant headaches through staring into bright screens can be a real problem which may lead to more serious issues in which a Los Angeles personal injury lawyer may have to get involved with

Noise

Noise shouldn't interfere with concentration or communication therefore any equipment such as scanners, photocopiers and printers should be moved directly away from work spaces wherever possible. If this is not possible then a noise protective cover should be sought.

Humidity and temperature

Electrical equipment can make the air dry and static build up around a monitor can attract dust, both of which can dry out the throat and irritate the eyes and nose. A comfortable working temperature should be between 68 and 74 degrees. Also plants are not only aesthetically pleasing, but they will also help to balance the humidity levels.

Ergonomic best practices

To avoid the costly business of workers compensation claims a RC injury attorney explains that it is imperative all employees are trained in the benefits of ergonomics. By bringing then on board, they can help themselves to reduce injury. Simple facts such as changing positions every 15 minutes and stepping away from their work station every 30 minutes can do a great deal in alleviating problems.

Ergonomics is something that should not be taken likely and recent studies by the OSHA have shown some outstanding results. As well as drastically reducing workers compensation claims, an ergonomically designed office can also improve productivity and it can have an effect on the reduction in errors. Most importantly employees will consider it to be a happier place to work.

From the point of view of a Los Angeles personal injury lawyer businesses could be doing a lot more to protect their workers from injury and an ergonomic workplace goes a long way in doing this.