For the entire month of June, officials with the National Safety Council (NSC) are pushing the National Safety Month campaign. During this time, safety advocates with the Council are working to raise awareness about the importance of safe working conditions to reduce the risks of work accidents in Atlanta and elsewhere.From the 10th through the 16th of June, the NSC will be holding its Ergonomics campaign. Ergonomics is designing a job and its environment to “fit” workers. It’s important to do this because working in awkward positions who spend their days making awkward movements can suffer a soft tissue injury, including carpel tunnel.
Our Atlanta workers’ compensation lawyers understand that poor ergonomic conditions can cause serious pain and may even lead to disability. Typically, these kinds of injuries affect the cartilage, ligaments, nerves, blood vessels, tendons and joints. When work areas are not set up to work with an employee, serious injuries may result.
In general, overexertion injuries affect more than 3 million people every year. That’s how many people visit an emergency room each year because of overexertion, which is the leading cause of unintentional injuries in the country.
Individuals who work in an office may be at highest risks for these kinds of accidents. It’s important to make sure that your computer monitor is placed correctly. Just this one move can help to eliminate arm, eye, neck and shoulder fatigue. Consider following these tips as well to help to eliminate a work-related injury at your desk.
Ergonomics Tips:
-Adjust your computer monitor so that the top of the screen is right above eye level. You want to make sure that your eyes are looking down just a little bit when looking at the middle of the screen.
-Never keep the monitor closer than 20 inches to your face. Consider keeping it an arm’s length from your eyes.
-Make sure your screen is adjusted so that there’s no glare reflecting into your eyes.
-Keep the center-line of the keyboard level with the height of your elbow. Tilt the keyboard back 10° so that your wrists remain flat.
-Choose the right chair. Use an adjustable desk chair. Don’t be afraid to make adjustments frequently.
-Give your eyes a rest and focus on something that’s at least 20 feet away from you.
-Stand up, move around and stretch your body occasionally.
-Whatever you look at the most during the day, like the computer screen, place it directly in front of you to help to minimize turning your head.
Setting up your work station is one of the top steps to eliminating work-related accidents. Remember that even with the best work place set ups, you can still get tired muscles just from being in the same spot all day. Get up and move around, adjust your keyboard, your monitor and your chair frequently to stay flexible.
If you or a loved one has been injured at work in Atlanta or elsewhere in the state, contact your Georgia Worker’s Compensation Attorneys at J. Franklin Burns, P.C. to set up a free and confidential appointment to discuss your case. Call 404-920-4708 .
