7

26 N E W H A M P S H I R E B U S I N E S S R E V I E W N H B R . C O M

HEALTHCARE

Those aching backs are stealing your profits Companies that doht prioritize ergonomics are at a significantly higher risk o f accidents and injuries

lead to chronic health problems, such as carpal tunnel syndrome, bursitis, tendinitis and difficulty walking, which can cause additional injuries due to falls. These injuries typically fall under the category of muscu­ loskeletal disorders.

Workplace injuries negatively affect productivity and profit. The U.S. Depart­ ment of Labor’s Bureau of Labor Statistics tracks data to help employers know their overall level of risk in this important area of business. According to the BLS, “ Employers and employees need definitive statistics on what kinds of serious injuries and illnesses occur to others whose work and work­ force size are similar to theirs. BLS safety and health data permit employers to learn about the circumstances surrounding those incidents so that they can disarm potential hazards where they work.”

Companies that do not prioritize ergo­ nomics in the workplace are at a significant­ ly higher risk of direct and indirect losses due to accidents and injuries. Nationally, these losses cost employers millions of dol­ lars each year. What percentage of these losses could have been prevented?

Focusing on ergonomics and safety can save your company and employees from

We've been in business since 1978 and a lot of people know who we are

but very few people know what we do. We are about to change that!!

HEALTH b SAFETY / W O R KE R S'C O M P / WELLNESS

The Lawson Group is com m itted to preventing injuries on the job, lowering workers com p costs and im proving the health and wellness of your workforce

For m ore in fo rm a tio n , contact us at 800.645.7674

or visit thelawsongroup.com

BY CAROL PHILLIPS

According to Merriam-Webster Online, er­ gonomics is “an applied science concerned with designing and arranging things people use so that the people and things interact most efficiently and safely.”

Workers typically spend dozens of hours each week sitting at desks in front of computers or doing repetitive work causing excessive strain on various parts of their bodies. What strains are repeat­ edly placed on your employees that might lead to future health problems? Or are they already suffering the negative effects of long periods of strain on their bones, joints, ligaments, tendons and muscles?

Some problematic situations can include poor lighting, tripping hazards, extreme noise, heavy lifting, improper posture, dangerous tools, toxic chemicals and air pollution.

Addressing the health and safety of work­ ers means designing a job to fit a person to reduce or eliminate injury caused by stress on the body, either acute or chronic. Com­ mon symptoms of these types of injuries include headache, eye strain, back pain, and neck pain and tightness. These injuries can

the physical, emotional and financial suffer­ ing often caused by these types of injuries. Do you have concerns regarding ergonom­ ics being practiced effectively at your place of business? Share these with your man­ agement team. Communication can bring unhealthy practices to light and begin the process of correcting potential problems that are likely to negatively affect produc­ tivity and increase expenses.

Also, educating employees on the impor­ tance of ergonomics will likely be carried over to their personal lives, which could help them avoid personal injuries, maintain­ ing their ability to work.

Some common recommendations can be easily implemented. These include:

• Sitting with good posture in a chair that provides good lower back (lumbar) support.

• Chair height adjusted to allow thighs to be parallel to the floor.

• Feet resting flat on the floor. • When typing, shoulders relaxed, elbows

by the sides, forearms parallel to the floor and wrists in a neutral position.

• Computer screen at a height in which eyes, looking slightly downward, fall on the top third or middle of the screen.

• If correct positioning at desk leaves feet unable to rest flat on the floor, a footrest can be used to support the feet.

• Taking regular breaks every 45 to 60 mmutes to allow the body to move. This helps to escape fatigue and stress caused by repetitive movements and/or a seden­ tary environment (spending too much time seated or inactive).

According to the U.S. Department of Labor’s Occupational Safety & Health Ad­ ministration, “ Implementing an ergonomic process has been shown to be e ective in reducing the risk of developing musculo­ skeletal disorders in industries as diverse as construction, food processing, office jobs, healthcare, beverage delivery and ware­ housing.”

What potential problems can you identify and correct to reduce the risk of these types of injuries to your employees? The efforts you make now will help to model prevention, reduce costs and increase your company's profits. E1T1BR

Carol Phillips, author o f “52 Simple Ways to Health, ” is a Manchester-based health and wellness expert. She can be reached through her website at Health- DesignNH. com.

The news you trust, The programs you love

NEW HAMPSHIRE PUBLIC RADIO nhpr.org

Copyright of New Hampshire Business Review is the property of New Hampshire Business Review and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use.