Do you have pain or discomfort at work? An ergonomic evaluation from Risk Management may help.
While you may think, “My pain is age-related,” “My workstation and equipment are just fine,” “I’m careful when I work,” and “This will never happen to me,” according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, 32 percent of all workplace injuries in 2014 were the result of musculoskeletal disorders (MSDs) such as carpal tunnel, tendonitis and epicondylitis. MSDs are injuries that occur from exposure to ergonomics-related risk factors such as awkward posture, repetition, force and vibration. An ergonomic evaluation can help identify and prevent these risk factors and decrease your chance of getting an MSD. 
Remember: “An ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure” –Benjamin Franklin.
What is ergonomics?
Ergonomics involves designing the job demands, workplace, tasks, tools and equipment to meet the capabilities of employees. Whether you work in an office, a lab or a classroom, perform manual or animal handling, custodial or food service work, this free service can help ensure tasks are as safe as possible and meet employee capabilities and limitations.
During an ergonomic evaluation, exposure to risk factors that may cause or contribute to injury are reviewed and recommendations made to reduce exposure within acceptable limits or eliminate exposure altogether. Following an evaluation and the implementation of recommendations, pain and discomfort will decrease, or most ideally, pain and discomfort will be prevented to begin with.
Musculoskeletal disorders do not just occur in your workplace, either. Did you know that it was estimated that more than 7 trillion text messages were sent in 2011? Think of the repetition thumbs are exposed to, typing all those messages! Ergonomic evaluations can review “rules of thumb” to keep in mind when you’re not at work, too.
Schedule an ergonomic evaluation online.
Go to the CSU Ergonomics website, or call or email for more information or to have questions answered:
http://rmi.prep.colostate.edu/
Stop an injury before it starts!
