Poor posture at work is one of the major causes of work-related injuries. Ultimately, this can result in poor employee health and low productivity. Injuries associated with poor posture are generally referred to as ergonomic injuries.
Ergonomic injuries can be acute (stemming from a single incident of trauma) or chronic (those that build up over time.) Essentially, these injuries affect the victim’s musculoskeletal function. Here are four types of ergonomic injuries that you can sustain at work.
Tendinitis
This is a general term that describes inflamed tendons – the thick fibrous tissues that attach muscles to bones throughout the body. Left untreated, tendinitis can hinder your ability to move or work. This type of injury is common among workers whose occupations involve lots of physical exertions.
Carpal tunnel syndrome (CTS)
Common among workers who sit for extended hours, carpal tunnel syndrome happens when the muscles and tendons around the wrist are inflamed due to strains and poor mechanics. At its onset, most people will feel numbness or tingling on the wrist, which can escalate to pain and muscle stiffness if left untreated.
Lower back pain
Most American adults report experiencing lower back pains at some point. Lower back pain can be debilitating for workers in the shipping or manufacturing industries whose jobs are physically demanding. Lower back pain can occur due to excessive fatigue, exertion or use of equipment and furniture that cannot sustain the worker’s weight.
Neck and shoulder injuries
Injuries to the neck and shoulders can greatly impact your movement. Workers are likely to sustain neck injuries if they spend several hours in a straining position while working. Likewise, shoulder injuries tend to happen when workers lift heavy objects above their heads. Workers who spend several hours with shoulders lifted high are also likely to strain their neck and shoulder muscles.
Workplace injuries can greatly impair your ability to be productive. Knowing your rights if you are hurt at work can help you pursue the right compensation you deserve for your condition.