A desk job may not seem fraught with danger, but the reality is office workers count for a large proportion of injury claims each and every year. These are the top four office-related injuries and how to avoid them.
1. Trips, slips and falls
It’s not just the construction or warehouse industries that feel the effects of trips, slips and falls. The everyday office environment poses a host of potential hazards. Most slips, trips and falls occur when a staff member fails to notice a change in their environment below their line of sight, meaning something as simple as a desk drawer left open or coffee spilt on the floor can result in serious injury.
Best practice includes ensuring the workplace is kept clean and tidy, and that floor surfaces are uniform and non-slip throughout the building. Any spills should be cleaned up and noted with correct signage, and adequate lighting is required throughout the office. If stationery or equipment is stored high, staff should be given the proper equipment to reach it.
Every year, firms such as The Personal Injury Lawyers deal with numerous claims resulting from slips, trips and falls in the workplace.
2. Back ache
Whether day-to-day tasks involve standing or sitting, the back takes the brunt of poor posture or incorrect equipment, with back aches including long-term back pain common among office workers. As an employee, ensure you are sitting or standing correctly and that your equipment is at the right height.
At a desk, the chair should be adjustable and the computer and keyboard at the right angle and height to avoid regular back twisting to type, answer the phone or read a screen.
When tasks require staff to stand, benches should be at a height that eliminates hunching or reaching. Back stress and joint pain can be further reduced by having softened matting on hard floors. Employers should also encourage regular breaks from repetitive tasks with exercises that include altering posture and walking around the office.
3. Muscle strain
Lifting and shifting even simple items like cartons of photocopier paper can result in muscle strain. Staff should be educated on proper lifting procedure and encouraged to seek help if an item is too heavy.
4. Repetitive strain
Actions that are undertaken day after day are behind some of the most common office repetitive strain injuries and tendonitis. Even tasks such as typing, stapling or feeding a photocopier can lead to repetitive strain, while regular computer usage can also affect eyesight.
Regular breaks and simple exercises can help reduce these incidents, but it’s also about identifying risks, providing the right equipment like an ergonomic mouse or gel pad for computer usage, and educating staff.
