| One of the major solutions that have evolved to | | | | chairs, office furniture, seating, software |
| treat carpal tunnel syndrome and other such | | | | programs, stretch and exercise systems and |
| injuries caused by constant workplace repetition is | | | | customized workstations. To finish this article, |
| ergonomics, and ergonomic products. These two | | | | here is a list of some of the most common |
| things are combinations of exercises, stretches | | | | ergonomic equipment and a brief overview of |
| and specialized equipment that help to prevent, | | | | how it helps affect the work place. |
| and lessen the pain of, severe injuries, the most | | | | Keyboard Trays: These are used t o adjust the |
| commonly known of which is carpal tunnel | | | | height and angle of a keyboard in order to fit the |
| syndrome. This article is an overview of some of | | | | person or allow posture change. |
| the products, and possibilities, that are opened to | | | | Wrist Rests: One of the most common, most |
| create a more successful business, one that | | | | important, and most effective ergonomic |
| incorporates a healthier work environment for its | | | | products. These help prevent the wrist from |
| workers. | | | | dropping (bending back) while keying during keying |
| While at first many companies were hesitant (to | | | | pauses, or while using the mouse. This is the |
| say the least) about the concept of using | | | | worst habit that can lead to carpal syndrome in |
| ergonomic products to treat and prevent carpal | | | | an office worker. These also help to take a little |
| tunnel syndrome, nowadays there is actually | | | | bit of weight off the shoulders and reduce |
| much less resistance, because time has shown | | | | shoulder muscle work to soften the surface |
| that many times the companies that took a risk | | | | under the wrist |
| and brought in the ergonomic products and | | | | Mouse Support Trays: Reduces reaching by |
| procedures to their employees has actually paid | | | | keeping a mouse near the keyboard, if a |
| off for them! The introduction of ergonomic | | | | keyboard tray is used. |
| products has reduced injuries, which in turn results | | | | Forearm Supports: To support the arms. Helps |
| in more efficient and productive workers. This | | | | prevent the wrist from dropping while using the |
| also, as another positive result, led to lower | | | | keyboard. They also help to avoid pressure under |
| operating costs. Some of the changes appeared | | | | the wrist or elbow that may occur with wrist |
| quite minor, but led to huge results. For example, | | | | rests or chair armrests. |
| redesigning check stands to reduce ergonomic risk | | | | Alternative Keyboards and Alternatives to Mice: |
| factors such as twisting or extended reaching can | | | | These emphasize the use of different muscles in |
| improve cashier effectiveness and productivity. | | | | the upper extremity. |
| There are many OSHA guidelines that outline | | | | Height-adjustable tables and work surfaces: These |
| what types of jobs need to be most strongly | | | | are pretty self-explanatory. Someone who is |
| considering ergonomic equipment and programs, | | | | seven foot two is going to have much different |
| and such lists can be easily located from the | | | | needs than someone who is four foot ten. Helps |
| OSHA web site. As the success of ergonomics | | | | adjust for posture regardless of who is using the |
| became obvious, more and more companies have | | | | work area. |
| jumped into the game to provide quality products | | | | Monitor arms: These help to free up work surface |
| for the employees of those industries. These | | | | under the monitor. This also allows for the |
| aren't just cheap gimmicks, either. A lot of money | | | | forward and back or sometimes up and down |
| has been invested by the government and | | | | movement of the monitor to accompany posture |
| associated companies to find the most effective | | | | changes or fit different employees. They can |
| way to ergonomically attack carpal tunnel | | | | even be used to store keyboards when not in |
| syndrome. The reason they can have such fierce | | | | use |
| competition is that other companies that need | | | | Adjustable seating: Allows for different posture |
| ergonomic equipment know that the right | | | | and different sized workers to still both |
| equipment decreases injuries and that f ewer | | | | comfortably use the same area. |
| injuries means higher morale, less sick time, and | | | | Stretch Break Software: Times employees to |
| less overtime (for the people filling in for injured | | | | take breaks throughout the day and rest |
| workers); reduce employee turnover, and | | | | overworked muscles. |
| encourage employees to stay for longer periods | | | | Stretch and Exercise Programs: Active exercise |
| of time, even for entire careers. This isn't even | | | | and stretch programs increase circulation and |
| taking into consideration how much happier and | | | | decrease muscle imbalances, the main cause of |
| healthier employees improve customer service, | | | | compression syndromes like carpal tunnel. |
| thereby improving the number of customers who | | | | The use of these ergonomic products will help |
| will keep coming back. | | | | prevent injuries, keep worker morale up, and |
| There is a wide variety of ergonomic equipment | | | | keep a business where it should be: going forward |
| that includes, but is not limited to, c hairs, | | | | without a hitch. |
| computer desks, special keyboards, mice, office | | | | |