What Are The Symptoms Of Poor Ergonomics?

Early Symptoms of Poor Ergonomics

By the time you witness widespread absenteeism and occupational accidents, it’s possible that your project has been plagued at bad ergonomics for some time.

Fortunately, it’s possible to pick up on some early signs of trouble:

Longer time returning to work after lunch: If the employees seem to be less active during lunch and tend to linger as long as possible, you may have a problem. Be careful whether they are just trying to enjoy the break, or whether they are delaying because they seem to be stiff, in pain, or sore in some way. Trouble getting “restarted” after resting is a very common indication of chronic physical conditions.

Trouble with hands, arms, and shoulders: What do the workers do while they wait? If they shake their hands, crack their knuckles or necks, or attempt to readjust their shoulders, they may experience an ergonomics problem. Watching for such kinds of unconscious gestures is helpful because they often let you know there’s pain and inflammation long before an employee does it.

Chronic nausea: Vibration, which could come from pneumatic tools or machines that emit sound waves towards workers, is one overlooked source of injury. Repetitive vibration can cause chronic nausea over time, and employees may not be connecting their work with their stomach problems. Employees that sometimes pop up over-the-counter antacids, mistakenly believing that a problem with food or stomach acid is causing the nausea.

If the surgery has these signs or not, an ergonomics review will help prevent future problems. Addressing issues related to ergonomics before they become a challenge is the biggest advantage that an organization can offer to its workers, leading to a variety of benefits, from reducing accidents to lowering healthcare costs.

The Undeniable Benefits of Ergonomics

To staff and businesses at large, ergonomic design is clearly advantageous. There was, however, a preceding gap in the market to meet this need.

Research shows that while proper ergonomics is recognized as best practices for workplace health and safety, 88 percent of the managers surveyed did not hear about ergonomic design and 94 percent of managers did not study the implications of inadequate ergonomics.

An employer who implements an injury prevention program should expect a return on investment of up to 6 times the initial fees, according to the U.S. Department of Labor.

The Ultimate Ergonomic Checklist for Enhanced Occupational Performance

The list contains the Ergonomic MUST-DO things and organizational behaviors aimed at optimal health. Educating your workers about these concepts can greatly impact their workplace posture and productivity.

1. Place your laptop or computer at eye level.
2. Provide sufficient support on the chair to maintain a neutral stance.
3. For improved balance and core muscle activation sit on a Balance Cushion or exercise ball.
4. Get a Stand-Capable desk that enables staff to work from a sitting and standing position.
5. Move when you can: 

• Walk and talk on the phone
• Standing business meetings
• Balance training at the copy machine
• Take the stairs to your office
• Park at the end of the parking lot
• Walk to lunch
• Sit on an exercise ball or a posture cushion
• Perform desk stretches between tasks
• Mobilize your ankles and wrists while checking your email

6. Take frequent Posture Breaks to invert gravity results.
7. Avoid unnecessary distance by holding things most used within reach of an arm.
8. Reduce unnecessary movements to avoid abrasions and bruises.
9. Use a headset or hands-free phone to walk and talk while on the phone, or at least stand-up.
10. Throughout keyboard and mouse, usage test the wrist posture to prevent excessive flexion or extension over a long period of time.
11. Save your feet, and avoid standing tired with a footpad
12. Avoid unnecessary bending of the spinal cord by turning the body around to do activities.
13. Utilize a document holder to hold documents at eye-level.
14. To eliminate distractions, reduce the noise pollution.
15. Ensure adequate lighting and glare control to avoid eye strain and workplace injuries.
16. Eliminate uneven surfaces and rocky edges causing bumps or tripping.
17. For better efficiency and muscle strength, stop overhead work and perform tasks at an elbow level.
18. Have sufficient clearance of workspace to perform tasks without hitting surrounding equipment.
19. Avoid excessive levels of heavy machinery induced vibration.
20. Don’t forget Posture Reminders to remind patients that they have a good posture all day long.