National Safety Month
June is National Safety Month and thousands of organizations nationwide will work hard to ensure that “No One Gets Hurt.” National Safety Month focuses on reducing leading causes of injury and death at work, on the road and in our homes and communities.
Let’s look at ergonomics and overexertion as it continues to be a leading cause of injury of all age groups in the work environment. It was the second leading reason (after falls) for adults ranging in ages 25-64 ending up in the emergency department in 2013; and the third leading cause for kids ages 10 and older, often from their backpacks being too heavy, time spent gaming on computers and poor posture.
Overexertion can be prevented with regular exercise, stretching and strength training to help maintain a strong core. Also, following some of the tips listed below can be beneficial for work and home:
- Plan a lift before you begin, keep your back straight and lift with your legs
- Limit the amount of time you spend doing the same motion over and over
- Take frequent breaks from any sustained position every 20-30 minutes
- If you work at a desk, move frequently used items close to you, use a footrest and adjust the height of your computer
- Report pain, swelling, numbness, tingling, tenderness, clicking or loss of strength to your doctor before it becomes a full-blown injury
Ergonomic injuries are disorders that occur in the soft tissue areas, specifically in the muscles, nerves, tendons, ligaments, joints, cartilage, blood vessels and spinal discs. These injuries are caused by the following:
- Excessive lifting, lowering, pushing, pulling, reaching or stretching
- Repetitive motion
- Working in awkward positions
- Sitting or standing for prolonged periods of time
- Using excessive force
- Vibration, resting on sharp corners or edges
- Temperature extremes
Make sure that your employees understand the importance of proper posture, core strength and that they should not overexert themselves. This will help in preventing on and off the job injuries.
STAY SAFE!
Sources: www.seton.com and www.nsc.org