Suppress ergonomic injuries before they progress

Ergonomic injuries are in a way sneaky since something seamlessly harmless can break the camel’s back! Injuries caused by forceful and repetitive movements, poor posture, and awkward body positions. These injuries are also associated with a lack of blood flow to the extremities. So jobs that require a lot of sitting or standing, such as office workers or factory workers doing the same thing in the same spot are especially at risk. So early reporting of ergonomic injuries is a training that is crucial to prevent the progression of damage to tissues and reduce the risk of long-term disability.

When employees report ergonomic injuries early, they can receive first aid medical attention and treatment before the injury worsens to an OSHA recordable incident. Early treatment can reduce pain, inflammation, and other symptoms that may be associated with the injury. The problem with the onset of the progression, is that typically the actions will not reduce as the root cause has not been identified and halted. Rather unfortunately, the injury becomes chronic leading to irreversible damage.

Early reporting of ergonomic injuries benefits the employer as well as employees. It allows them to investigate the injury and determine if there are any changes that need to be made to the work environment or procedures to prevent similar injuries from occurring in the future. Employers can take the necessary steps to improve workplace ergonomics and reduce the risk of future injuries.

Also, reporting injuries early can help prevent similar type injuries to other workers. If there is a work surface that is at an unideal height encouraging shoulder flexion for example. An entire line of workers could be affected. Correcting one thing, can mean a significant reduction in risk across the entire line of workers. Some corrections or class coaching or in-services can truly have a benefit to an entire team of workers and prevent recordable injuries.

To encourage early reporting of ergonomic injuries, employers should have a policy that encourages employees to report injuries without fear of retaliation or reprimand. Employers can also provide training on ergonomics and the importance of reporting injuries early. This training can help employees recognize the signs and symptoms of ergonomic injuries and understand the importance of seeking treatment early.

Early reporting of ergonomic injuries is essential to prevent the progression of damage from repetitive motion injuries which reduces the risk of long-term disability, and improve workplace safety. Employers should encourage employees to report injuries early and provide training on ergonomics to prevent injuries from occurring in the first place. By working together, employers and employees can create a safe and healthy workplace.