Preventing Work Injuries in the Office

Believe it or not, you can actually endure a work related injury just from working an office job. Over 12 millio
Americans complain of suffering from chronic back pain. It is absolutely vital that regardless of what type of job you work, care is taken when it comes to your body and how it actually functions. To help you, we’ve compiled a list of tips to help make your job easier and safer to perform.

Injury Prevention

• Any objects that you are using should be within your arms reach.

• Any objects that are used on a regular basis should be placed between anywhere between shoulder and knuckle height. If you are regularly reaching and lifting something that is above your shoulder’s height, it is likely that you will inevitably endure a back injury.

• If you have a job that requires you to stand for long periods of time, some type of footrest should be used with one of your feet resting higher than the other. In addition, if you are standing or walking for long periods of time, keep any hard surfaces padded or carpeted.

• Do your best to maintain the natural curve of your back since this helps to evenly distribute your weight while reducing back strain.

• When moving on from one task to another, be sure to turn with your whole body.

• When sitting, keep your knees at the same level as your hips to help relieve and or prevent any straining.

• Try to avoid sitting for any long periods of time.

• Make it a point to take a break every hour or so to take some deep breaths and stretch your muscles.

• Your chair height should be kept at a height where your feet can easily rest flatly on the floor.

• Sit with your back against your chair to avoid having to bend at the waist to work.

• Keep your computer at eye level.

• Never lock your knees, always keep them relaxed.

• Keep your weight evenly distributed on both of your legs.

• Maintain an even alignment between your upper body and your shoulders directly over your hips.

• It’s best to wear shoes that fit properly and that have some form of a crepe or rubber sole to act as a shock absorber.

• Maintain smooth strides when walking and avoid creating an unnatural stretch.