Ergonomics, Workers Compensation Claims and the Money Being Lost by Improper Use of Office Chairs
The amount of workers compensation claims stemming from improper ergonomics in the workplace is staggering. With employees spending more and more time in front of the computer and with the long hours worked in some professions, it is now wonder that RSI's have increased. Repetitive stress injuries or RSI's are now commonplace terms in the H.R. departments in most large corporations. These human resource employees are stuck filling out countless forms and paperwork for each of these employees claims, not to mention the countless amounts of money poured in from the "would be profits" of the company to pay these claims. Prevention can be the key to paying less when it comes to workers compensation claims. NO company is free from fear of these types of injuries due to sitting improperly in office chairs and we are not even talking about just our average office employees anymore. Hairstylists, cooks, massage therapists and such are also prime targets for Repetitive stress injuries because of the repetitive motion required by their everyday tasks at the office. When using the same motions, such as the mouse or keyboard for long hours without other motion or a break in the repetition, it is hard not to give yourself some type of injury. Although most jobs now require working in front of a computer for longer hours than is healthy for the human body, these same jobs do not always provide the most ergonomic of an environment. In can be left up to the employee themselves to learn how to adjust their workstation and office chair in order to create a more healthy environment for their body type. It is also important to learn how to sit properly and hold your body in the correct positions and remember your motion in order to also practice good ergonomics and stay healthy. Spending the money to adjust your office environment by ordering new office chairs, office furniture and investing in employee training in the use of proper ergonomics and positioning is key to eliminating these workers compensation claims. This can eliminate the need for loss of employee time and money spent on huge insurance premiums when it to claims made because of improper ergonomics. And keep these employees happy with the comfort ability found from their new office chair, ergonomic keyboard and mouse and desk with adjustable height for different tasks. No matter which ergonomic supplies may be needed for your office furniture environment, the amount of money saved through prevention of injury for most businesses is always a smart move. |
