| Most people don't think of the office as being a | | | | and lamp are customized according to the needs |
| very dangerous place, but the truth is that | | | | of each individual. An ergonomic consultant will also |
| workplace injury is one of the most common | | | | suggest alternate pieces of furniture that can be |
| causes of chronic pain and sickness among | | | | brought into the office to reduce the number of |
| working individuals. Many people who spend the | | | | workplace injuries for each employee. Many |
| majority of their day at a desk or computer | | | | workers are surprised at the impact that brighter |
| often experience symptoms such as migraine | | | | lights and firmer chairs can have in an office |
| headaches, stiffness in their back, and soreness in | | | | setting after just one day! |
| their neck, which can greatly interfere with their | | | | Another important component of workplace |
| productivity levels and overall standard of living. | | | | safety is teaching employees to take frequent |
| This is due to the fact that work stations are | | | | rest and stretch breaks. Ergonomic consultants |
| often not designed to adequately support | | | | can lead workshops and training sessions to |
| workers' physical needs. | | | | educate employees about exercises that can help |
| Luckily, ergonomic consultants are trained to | | | | to treat and prevent chronic pain throughout the |
| assess work spaces and then alter them, in order | | | | work day. They can also provide instructional |
| to improve health and comfort while on the job. | | | | materials, such as handouts and DVDs, which |
| Implementing workplace injury management | | | | employees can refer to if they are experiencing |
| strategies is beneficial to both employers and | | | | discomfort. This way, employees can still have |
| staff members, because ensuring occupational | | | | access to ergonomics tips, even when their |
| health and safety helps to reduce the amount of | | | | consultant is not present. |
| days employees miss as a result of sickness, | | | | It is in the best interest of everyone involved to |
| injury, and doctor's appointments. It also | | | | do everything you can to prevent the occurrence |
| decreases the amount of money paid out by the | | | | of injury in the workplace. Ergonomic |
| company for workman's compensation and | | | | assessments are a great method of risk |
| employee health insurance plans. | | | | management, and have been proven to reduce |
| In order to decrease employees' risks of on the | | | | instances of pain, absenteeism, and workman's |
| job injury, an ergonomics consultant will examine a | | | | compensation claims. Choose to make a solid |
| particular workstation for proper equipment | | | | investment in the success of your company |
| placement. This includes determining whether | | | | today, and you'll continue to reap the benefits for |
| items such as the computer, keyboard, mouse, | | | | years to come. |