If you’re the owner or manager of a business, one of your important responsibilities will be to ensure your employees stay safe. According to Concentra, developing a comprehensive work safety plan will help you discover and implement measures to protect your employees.
In addition, sharing your work safety plan with your employees will help them become aware of their own part in reducing workplace injuries. Employee safety procedures should always be included in onboarding education, so your employees begin their employment with safety goals in mind.
Workplace injuries are not limited to falls or slips. Employees whose jobs primarily involve desk work or sitting in a forklift can develop ergonomic injuries. Those injuries are due to flexing or extending muscles or tendons in a manner that is contrary to ideal posture. According to the US Bureau of Labor Statistics, the most frequent injuries occur due to overextension or repetitive motions.
Hazards of Poor Ergonomic Design
According to the Centers for Disease Control, poor ergonomic design can lead to muscle overstrain. One frequent example is carpal tunnel strain; people whose jobs emphasize computer use can cause wrist strain and pain. By purchasing an ergonomic keyboard, you can eliminate much of the risk for that condition. Those specially designed keyboards, in combination with a desk that is at the correct eye level and a chair that cushions and moves with the back, will significantly reduce the incidence of carpal tunnel injuries for your company.
According to Tulane University, an ergonomic placement of a desk chair should allow the feet to touch the floor with the thighs parallel to the ground. The employees’ hips should be level with their knees. An ergonomic desk will allow the forearms to parallel the thighs and their resting wrist position to be neutral. Employees who must share a desk should be provided with height-adjustable desks.
Computer Position and Forklift Posture
The keyboard and mouse of your employees’ computers should allow your elbows to rest at a 90-degree angle. Be sure your facility’s lighting does not glare at any of your employees’ computer screens. For ideal sound conditions, many companies have found noise-reduction headphones to provide employees with additional concentration.
Anyone whose job involves sitting most of the day needs an ergonomic chair or seat. Forklift operators need excellent back support, and their repetitive arm movements require support to prevent arm muscle strain. Raising the seat of the forklift to allow for an ideal eye-level survey of the building will avoid straining the shoulder and guard against eye strain.
Contact Us Today for Ergonomic Solutions
If you want to initiate a program that will improve the ergonomic structure of your building, you may wonder where to start. At Storage Ergonomic & Equipment Company, we have provided work safety solutions and storage facilities for clients in our area for over 28 years.
Browse our website or visit us to discover a wide selection of ergonomic workspace furniture and equipment in the Philadelphia area. We’ll be happy to review your current facility layout and help you with practical suggestions to improve employee safety.
One conversation with our trained sales representatives will convince you that equipment and furniture solutions exist to significantly improve your employee safety. Businesses seeking ergonomic equipment in the Lehigh Valley, PA are sure to find the equipment and support they seek.
We offer a quality selection of jib cranes, pallet stackers, vacuum lifts, hoists, and lift carts. Visit us today for a free site visit, during which we will assess your current setup and provide recommendations for improvement. Contact us today.
