An ergonomic injury is any injury, disorder, or adverse health effect that an individual sustains or develops as a result of poor ergonomics in the workplace. Most ergonomic injuries are physical and fall into the category of musculoskeletal disorders (MSDs). However, ergonomic injuries can also be cognitive in nature and may take the form of fatigue and mental strain.
In this article, we’ll explore five examples of the most common ergonomic injuries workers develop, outline the primary symptoms to be aware of, list common causes, and share tips on how they can be prevented.
WRULDs stands for work-related upper limb disorders. WRULDs are a very common group of ergonomic injuries that affect workers’ upper limbs (the neck, shoulders, forearms, wrists, hands, and fingers). WRULDs are common in both office and industrial work environments and contribute significantly to pain, compromised mobility, and poor productivity in workers worldwide.
WRULDs are a class of musculoskeletal disorders (MSDs). Often developing slowly over time, MSDs adversely affect the tendons, joints, muscles, nerves, cartilage, and spinal discs. These ergonomic injuries are caused by poorly designed work systems or workstations that cause workers to sit or stand in awkward postures, hold static positions for extended periods of time, perform repetitive movements, or strain themselves beyond their natural human capabilities.
Taking steps to identify and reduce ergonomic risks in the workplace can result in a host of benefits for employers:
Moral benefits: All employers have a moral obligation to protect the health and safety of their employees. Ergonomic injuries and MSDs compromise workers’ quality of life and can be debilitating.
Legal compliance with the OHS Act: The Ergonomics Regulations of the Occupational Health and Safety Act 85 of 1993 stipulate that employers have a duty to reduce ergonomic risks in the workplace by conducting ergonomic risk assessments and providing ergonomics training to all employees.
Improved productivity: Human-centred work systems improve worker productivity and reduce downtime due to injury.
Below are five of the most commonly reported ergonomic injuries, along with their symptoms, common causes, and prevention tips.
What it is:
Carpal tunnel syndrome is a common condition caused by the compression of the median nerve as it passes through a narrow space in the wrist called the carpal tunnel.
Symptoms:
Begins with feelings of numbness, burning, or tingling in the fingers, and can progress to pain that may radiate up the arm, a weak grip, and difficulty with fine motor tasks.
Common causes:
Carpal tunnel syndrome is common in both office and industrial settings and is often caused by prolonged mouse and keyboard use or repetitive hand and wrist motions (such as on an assembly line).
Prevention tips:
Ensure a neutral, healthy hand and wrist position when doing desk work or using tools. Consider investing in an ergonomic keyboard and mouse. Take frequent breaks to rest the hands and wrists.
What it is:
Tendonitis refers to the inflammation or irritation of a tendon, often of the thumb, wrist, elbow, or shoulder.
Symptoms:
Joint pain, mild swelling or warmth, and tenderness. As the disorder progresses, symptoms may include pain during movement, stiffness after resting, and weakness.
Common causes:
Tendons become inflamed due to overuse. In the workplace, tendonitis is commonly caused by repetitive tasks, awkward postures, holding static postures for prolonged periods, and overexertion.
Prevention tips:
Alternate tasks to avoid prolonged, repetitive motions and take frequent breaks. Ensure that desk workstations are set up to allow for the correct posture (no crouching/leaning forward, use a chair with adequate support, keep elbows bent at 90°, and wrists in a neutral position). Avoid overexertion and use proper lifting and carrying techniques.
What it is:
Lower back strain is a condition in which the muscles, ligaments, or tendons in the lower back are overstretched or strained.
Symptoms:
In the early stages, symptoms include stiffness, tightness, or aching in the lower back, especially at the end of a workday or shift. As the injury worsens, symptoms include sharp pain when moving, muscle spasms, poor range of motion, and pain that radiates to the hips.
Common causes:
Poor posture, chairs lacking lumbar support, improper lifting techniques (bending at the waist instead of at the knees, twisting while lifting, or carrying loads at a distance from the body), lifting heavy loads, repetitive motions, or weak core muscles.
Prevention tips:
Invest in chairs with adequate lumbar support, improve desk workstation setup to promote correct posture, implement safe lifting and carrying techniques, take frequent breaks, alternate tasks to reduce repetitive strain, and improve core muscle strength.
What it is:
Neck strain is one of the most common ergonomic injuries found in modern office environments and is sometimes nicknamed ‘tech neck’. It is characterised by the muscles, tendons, or ligaments in the neck becoming strained or fatigued.
Symptoms:
Tension, stiffness, or tightness in the neck and base of the skull, headaches, muscle spasms, sharp or stabbing pain, reduced range of motion, and pain that radiates to the shoulders and upper back.
Common causes:
Poor workstation setup, leaning forward to look at a computer monitor, looking down at phones or laptops, performing computer work for long periods, or holding the head and neck in awkward positions.
Prevention tips:
Position monitors at eye level, directly in front of the user, at about an arm’s length away. Use a chair with adequate support. Maintain a neutral posture with relaxed shoulders and avoid craning the neck forwards or downwards. Take breaks from computer work to get up, move around, and stretch.
What it is:
A rotator cuff injury is characterised by the irritation, inflammation, or tearing of the tendons and muscles that stabilise the shoulder joint.
Symptoms:
Shoulder pain, weakness, or stiffness. As the condition worsens, workers may have difficulty raising the arm above shoulder height, feel sharp shoulder and arm pain when lifting or carrying, experience pain at night when sleeping, and notice a clicking sensation during movement.
Common causes:
Rotator cuff injuries are often a result of workers performing repetitive overhead movements, such as stacking shelves, painting, or performing overhead maintenance. It can also be caused by forceful or repetitive movements, poor posture, and incorrect lifting and carrying techniques.
Prevention tips:
Reduce the risk of developing a rotator cuff injury by storing frequently used items at shoulder height or lower, using steps or ladders to reduce overhead reaching, and avoiding lifting heavy loads above shoulder height. Design workstations to support correct posture and keep shoulders relaxed, not hunched. Invest in ergonomic tools to reduce force requirements, alternate tasks to reduce repetitive motions, and take frequent breaks.
The Ergonomics Regulations of the Occupational Health and Safety Act 85 of 1993 specify that all South African employers are required to conduct ergonomic risk assessments of the workplace and provide ergonomics training to all employees who may be exposed to ergonomic risks. The Department of Employment and Labour inspectors are actively checking workplaces for compliance in this regard.
Don’t risk the consequences of non-compliance; contact Absolute Health Services to discuss how we can assist you in meeting Ergonomics Regulations compliance requirements.
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