Working on a conveyor belt or forklift can be a dangerous profession – and not just because you might have an accident. Musculoskeletal disorders, otherwise known as Gradual Process Injuries (GPIs) are a major problem in industrial settings. Their cause is simple: inadequate work station set-up.
In my practice as a corporate chiropractor, I’m starting to see patients with injuries caused by poor workstation ergonomics more and more often. These Gradual Process Injuries can affect the nerves, tendons and muscles and can make it very painful for an employee to use his hands, wrists and arms. Sitting in the same position for long periods can also lead to neck and lower back pain. The key word here is gradual: often we don’t notice these injuries until it is too late, because they are the result of a slow build up of problems, and not one significant injury.
Why are these problems so common?
Before the industrial age work was not as specific as it is today. People use to perform many tasks throughout the course of the day, which meant the demand on muscles and joints also varied throughout the day.
By contrast, in today’s office environment people sit in front of computer for hours on end, only getting up for the odd bathroom break or lunch. The same problem applies in industry. Sitting on a forklift all day is equally as harmful as sitting in front of a computer. As for working on a conveyor belt, we have specified down tasks to such a degree that a worker can be performing the same highly limited set of movements over and over again. By ignoring our body’s basic requirements to do a variety of tasks, we’re inviting pain and discomfort.
Fix your ergonomics
These problems occur when workstation setups don’t conform to basic ergonomic principles. If you implement these principles in your workplace for all staff, a lot of pain, injury, wasted time (and wasted money) can be avoided.
• All movements should be performed within the ‘ergonomic window’ – the range of body movement in which a worker can safely operate. Anything that is an unnatural movement should be avoided
• All controls should be within your grasp, no more than an arm’s length away
• Your feet should be flat on the floor with your thighs well supported on the seat
• The backrest of the chair should be adjusted so that it will fully support your back
• Lean the backrest slightly backwards – neutral to approximately 20 degrees behind vertical is good
• Your elbows need to be close to your body- not splayed, and you back should be kept straight, not bent sideways
• Ensure items that you use regularly are within easy reach
• Vary your posture frequently and do stretching exercises to reduce the risks
Proper ergonomics in the workplace can do wonders for staff health and therefore morale – surely a wise investment for all of us.
