Workplace safety and injury prevention should be every employer’s top priority. Preventing injuries in the workplace saves companies money by lowering the costs of healthcare plans and insurance. It also helps build a good relationship between the company and its employees. When employees feel safe and healthy at work, they are more productive, engaged, and focused.
Construction, maintenance, and other hazardous jobs may come to mind when you think about workplace safety. Precautions like wearing safety gear and using proper lifting techniques are advisable for these workers. However, desk-bound employees are also at risk of workplace injury due to the sedentary nature of their work, which can lead to several work-related injuries. Unfortunately, they are often overlooked in terms of safety measures.
Carpal tunnel syndrome, chronic back pain, neck pain, and headaches are all conditions that desk-bound workers may experience. Poor posture, lacking workplace ergonomics & not enough physical activities are major factors in many of these conditions. That’s why it’s essential to consider workplace ergonomics when preventing injuries in the office or desk-bound workplace.
Designing a workplace for employees often only considers building an aesthetically pleasing space with an adjustable chair, which may not be compatible with all employees. Age, height, and gender are crucial factors to consider when designing a workplace as they allow for customization according to individual needs. For instance, a 6-foot-tall man and a 5-foot-tall woman would have different ergonomic needs. Factors like the height of the table where the device is placed, the height of the chair, and the surface area of the chair would ideally differ for both individuals.
Unfortunately, these factors are often overlooked due to a lack of awareness, which takes a toll on employees’ musculoskeletal health, leading to higher insurance costs, lower productivity, and long-lasting health concerns. Therefore, it’s crucial to create a healthy working space for both the employer and the employee.
It doesn’t mean that the entire workplace needs to be reconstructed. In fact, there are many possibilities for augmenting existing workplaces to make them healthier, injury-proof, and safe.
Some awareness and expert help can really do wonders!