Oh! My achy Back! Neck? Shoulders?

Oh! My achy back! Neck? Shoulders?

Does this sound familiar to you?

Well you are not alone!  In WCWI’s most recent e-newsletter, we highlighted WELCOA’s Expert Interview with Erik Nieuwenhuis on The Value of Workplace Ergonomics. Nieuwenhuis discussed the importance of workplace ergonomics and the simple ways an organization can reduce the cost of ergonomic-related injuries.

Musculoskeletal pain and strain affects your daily well-being. It makes being at work harder, it affects your relationship with family and friends, and plain makes life less enjoyable. Musculoskeletal pain is very common today with the increase of jobs requiring employees to sit at computers all day. But how common is musculoskeletal pain?

How common is musculoskeletal pain in today’s workforce?  

• In 2011, Gallup found that 86% of our current workforce who work 30 or more hours report more than one episode of musculoskeletal pain in the last three to five days.

How expensive are musculoskeletal claims for an employer?

• The National Council on Compensation Insurance reports that a true cost of an ergonomics-related injury is $60,000 to $82,000 per case!

So, what are some simple solutions that are easy to put into place that Nieuwenhuis suggests an organization implement?

• Add more movement into the work day

• Educate employees on proper posture while sitting

• Invest in Sit-to-Stand adjustable desks

  • Huge costs savings compared to the expenses of ergonomic related injuries

• Introduce a dynamic stretching program and functional exercises to reduce the stress of sitting

• Early reporting of musculoskeletal symptoms. It’s okay to admit that you are hurting

Want to learn more?

Check out the article!