How your desk job can harm you

Does your company subscribe to the belief that workers spending their days in front of a computer aren’t likely to get injured on the job?

Johannesburg - Does your company subscribe to the belief that workers spending their days in front of a computer aren’t likely to get injured on the job?

Read also: At your desk all day? Mind your neck

This, argues Richard Andrews, MD of Inspiration Office, is not the case. He points out that more than half of all workplace injuries are related to musculoskeletal disorders (MSDs) — injuries that are common among those who engage in repetitive motion activities as typing on a computer keyboard.

Andrews notes even the seemingly safest jobs lead to employee injuries and a large cost to the bottom line of business.

“In fact, nearly 60 percent of employees doing office computer work say they have wrist pain.

“Long days hunched over keyboards can lead to cumulative trauma disorders (CTDs) and lower back ailments.”

Here are some other common complaints he lists:

* Muscle fatigue or pain. Working for long periods in the same position or in awkward positions can put stress on hands and wrists and lead to injury

* Eye strain. Sitting too close to — or prolonged staring at — a monitor can reduce eye blinking and may lead to dry or aching eyes,

* Lower back pain. Using laptops or non-adjustable office furniture can cause employees to work at awkward angles and lead to back stress,

Andrews notes several trends make CTDs a special concern for today’s typical office workers.

“So many employees use computers all day and then also sit down at the computer at home to surf the Internet or even catch up on work.

“Secondly, specialised jobs are on the increase the world over. This means more people are doing the same thing all day. And, people are living longer and also working longer which means many more years of wear and tear on the body.”

According to South African workplace research company Know More, only 40 percent of 10 000 South African workers surveyed feel that their workplace environment supports their wellbeing.

And this doesn’t just exact a physical toll on employees, it can have a significant impact on businesses’ bottom line.

“For example,in 2003 in the US, the average medical claim associated with a CTD was over $43 000. Now it’s over $50 000. And that doesn’t even include the hidden costs for employers of lost productivity when an employee is injured or the cost of hiring and training a replacement worker.”

Andrews says work isn’t just about a desk and a chair. He says companies need to look into ergonomically-specific equipment. Not only for staff, but also because a well-designed office space can increase efficiency by up to 36 percent.

Major risk factors that add to cumulative trauma disorders:

* Static posture

* Awkward posture

* Repetition

*Force and/or vibration

* Extreme temperature

Safe behaviours that limit disorders:

* Good posture

* Correct workstation setup

* Occasional rest breaks

* Task variation

* Proper lifting techniques

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