Ergonomics: It’s all about creating a work environment to reduce the risks of overexertion and other painful work injuries in Atlanta and elsewhere. To help to raise awareness about the importance of ergonomics, the National Safety Council (NSC) is using its second week of awareness to focus on just that — ergonomics.The entire month of June is being used as National Safety Month and safety officials with the NSC will be focusing on ways to prevent unintentional injuries. They’re focusing on how to eliminate injuries both on and off the job. From the 10th through the 16th of June, officials are focusing on ergonomics and helping you to find ways to create a work place that works for you.

Our Atlanta workers’ compensation attorneys understand that there are nearly 3.5 million people who end up in an emergency room every year because of overexertion. These types of injuries are easily avoided when an employee works comfortably to complete a job. Many times, these kinds of accidents happen to those who work in an office and are sitting all day at a computer. We’re here to offer you a few simple tips to make your desk job a little more stress free.

Failing to set up an ergonomically correct workplace can take its toll on your body. It can damage your cartilage, joints, nerves, spinal discs, tendons, blood vessels and ligaments. These conditions are most commonly the result of working too long and performing a job that’s too strenuous in the same position all day. It can be the result of making the same movements all day, from working in a position that’s uncomfortable or unnatural for your body, from standing or sitting too long in a day, from repeatedly using excessive force, from experiencing long periods of vibrations or from dealing with extreme temps for a long period of time.

Would you know if you were experiencing an ergonomic condition? Maybe! Typically, these conditions leave the victim with feelings of pain, tenderness, numbness, with a loss of strength in their grip, swelling and other painful conditions.

So how do you set up your desk to avoid these conditions and these symptoms?

Desk Tips:

-Make sure you’re sitting comfortably. You don’t want to be sitting straight up and you definitely don’t want to be learning forward.

-Try not to rest your elbows on the desk.

-Make sure that, when typing, your wrists are at a relaxed angle.

-Position your monitor so that the top of it is right above your eye level. You want to look down slightly to see the computer screen.

-Keep your most important items directly in front of you to avoid turning and twisting all day.

-Avoid reaching for items excessively all day.

-Sit with your feet planted firmly on the floor.

Making a few adjustments can make a world of difference to your work area and can help to effectively and comfortably get the job done. Share the tips above with your coworkers to make sure everyone is comfortable and safe on the job.

If you or a loved one has been injured at work in Atlanta or in any of the nearby areas, contact your our Worker’s Compensation Lawyers at J. Franklin Burns, P.C. to set up a free and confidential appointment to discuss your case. Call 404-920-4708 .