A person can perform optimally on the job if their work environment is conducive enough for them to do so. As much as the wonders of modern technology provide progressive means of fulfilling tasks, they still expose workers to tools and processes that tend to be risky when forcibly and frequently used and done.

Depending on the nature of the job, a worker could lift materials patients manually, type on their computer all day or toil away in a long assembly line, which may all cause repetitive strain injuries. These conditions hit a worker’s musculoskeletal systems or muscles, joints and tendons found in the neck, arms and shoulders.

To combat such risks, ergonomics is the science that creates solutions designed to transform workplace layouts and methods to alleviate the pain or discomfort of workers’ repetitive strain injuries.

Reducing the risk of repetitive strain injuries

Per the U.S. Occupational Safety and Health Administration, three ergonomic controls can alter any work area in  ways that prevent recurrent injuries.

• Engineering or physical controls : Reposition workstations to encourage proper postures or reduce excessive weight from items for loading
• Administrative or procedural controls : Distribute force exertion by adjusting the worker-to-equipment ratio or rotate workers among tasks with regular breaks in between
• Protective equipment controls : Wear gear or apparel to counter extreme conditions or devise proper cushioning for landing surfaces

These  ergonomic interventions  can have mutual benefits for both the worker and their employer. The worker can feel safe and secure, while the employer may have improved outcomes. Both the management and their workers must also undergo training for implementation and maintenance.

A solution-driven approach

Anything excessive could lead to all sorts of danger. But a worker may still sustain repetitive strain injuries despite observing ergonomic caution. If that happens, they must urgently report the incident to their New Jersey supervisor and speak with their legal team about how to recover workers’ compensation from their employer. By doing so, they can hold parties liable and save other workers from enduring the same tragic fate.

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