How to Organize Your Work Area to Avoid Ergonomic Injuries

Ergonomic injuries can cause Cumulative Trauma Disorder or CTDS’s. The most frequently reported work-related CTD injuries are Carpel Tunnel Syndrome and Tendonitis. These are painful, sometimes crippling injuries that generally affect upper body nerves, tendons and muscles. To prevent injuries such at Carpel Tunnel Syndrome and Tendonitis, learn how to position your body and your work station.

Difficulty: Easy

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

• Properly adjusted chairs
• Properly aligned work stations
• Tools and Equipment to do the job

1. Design your work station to prevent injuries and be comfortable for your individual needs. Survey your work area and make sure you can adjust the table height, equipment position and chair height to fit your body. As most desks come in a standard height, consider an adjustable chair or foot rest to position everything to your required height.

2. The work surface should be at waist height (your waist, not the six foot tall guy working next to you). If you work from a seated position, adjust your work surface so that the edge of the desk hits you at your belt when you are seated. If you are using a work bench and working from a standing position, the work surface should still be level with your waist. You may need to use a step or platform if you cannot adjust the height of the work table.

3. Position all tools and equipment within 20 inches of your reach; if they are too close, you will be cramped and if they are too far, you may overextend your self trying to reach for them. Telephones, staplers, and other desktop items should be easy to reach and comfortable to use.

4. Whether sitting or standing, position your keyboard so you can work with straight wrists, your elbows are at right angles and your arms are resting at your side. If your work surface is at waist height, your arms and elbows should fall into the proper position.

5. The chair you use should offer back support, hip support and be adjustable in height. If you chair has wheels on it, make sure the surface below the chair is easy to roll on and it does not required a strong effort to move the chair when necessary.

6. Your feet should rest comfortably on the floor; a foot rest can be used to elevate your feet. Your knees should be in a straight line with your hips and neither higher or lower than the height of your hips while seated.

7. Consider doing stretching exercise throughout the day to relieve stiffness and aches. Stretch your legs at least once an hour to help relieve knee and hips stiffness. Wrist and arm rotations can make a real difference in the long term health and flexibility of your joints.

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[CaseyCarlton]

on 9/19/2009 Thanks for all the tips on How to Organize Your Work Area to Avoid Ergonomic Injuries. I've added some of these for myself and they are helping. 5 stars

[grove]

on 6/30/2009 Great tips. I need to stretch every 40 minutes or I'm sorry later. 5*

[skyedanzer]

on 6/30/2009 Excellent, helpful tips!

[sanderdoe]

on 6/30/2009 This is a terrific article! I have just decided I need to abandon my lap top for a desk top because I've had so much neck pain. We all need to work to avoid ergonomic injuries now that we spend so much time of computers. 5*

[soanyway]

on 6/22/2009 Good tips! On the computer all day, my lower back by the end of the day is a killer! Thanks and congrats on your 150th!