{"id":1257,"date":"2021-04-13T13:47:27","date_gmt":"2021-04-13T13:47:27","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.oshaoutreachcourses.com\/blog\/?p=1257"},"modified":"2026-02-24T19:05:13","modified_gmt":"2026-02-24T19:05:13","slug":"how-to-prevent-most-common-workplace-ergonomic-injuries","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.oshaoutreachcourses.com\/blog\/how-to-prevent-most-common-workplace-ergonomic-injuries\/","title":{"rendered":"How to Prevent Most Common Workplace Ergonomic Injuries"},"content":{"rendered":"\t\t<div data-elementor-type=\"wp-post\" data-elementor-id=\"1257\" class=\"elementor elementor-1257\" data-elementor-post-type=\"post\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-3672268 e-flex e-con-boxed wpr-particle-no wpr-jarallax-no wpr-parallax-no wpr-sticky-section-no e-con e-parent\" data-id=\"3672268\" data-element_type=\"container\" data-e-type=\"container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"e-con-inner\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-2fdd5bb elementor-widget elementor-widget-html\" data-id=\"2fdd5bb\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"html.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<section id=\"erg-v3-final\" style=\"background:#ffffff;padding:60px 0;\">\r\n\r\n<style>\r\n#erg-v3-final{font-family:Inter,Arial,sans-serif;color:#283745;}\r\n#erg-v3-final .wrap{max-width:1100px;margin:auto;padding:0 20px;}\r\n\r\n#erg-v3-final h2{\r\nfont-size:38px;\r\nfont-weight:800;\r\nborder-bottom:3px solid #02D1FE;\r\npadding-bottom:8px;\r\nmargin:45px 0 20px;\r\ncolor:#00A4FF;\r\n}\r\n\r\n#erg-v3-final p{\r\nline-height:1.9;\r\nmargin-bottom:16px;\r\nfont-size:15.5px;\r\n}\r\n\r\n#erg-v3-final ul{\r\npadding-left:0;\r\nmargin:18px 0 28px;\r\nlist-style:none;\r\n}\r\n\r\n#erg-v3-final li{\r\nposition:relative;\r\npadding-left:28px;\r\nmargin-bottom:14px;\r\nline-height:1.85;\r\nfont-size:15.5px;\r\n}\r\n\r\n#erg-v3-final li::before{\r\ncontent:\"\";\r\nposition:absolute;\r\nleft:0;\r\ntop:8px;\r\nwidth:10px;\r\nheight:10px;\r\nbackground:#00A4FF;\r\nborder-radius:50%;\r\nbox-shadow:0 0 0 4px rgba(2,209,254,0.25);\r\n}\r\n\r\n#erg-v3-final .num{\r\nfont-weight:800;\r\nbackground:#FFD729;\r\npadding:2px 6px;\r\nborder-radius:4px;\r\n}\r\n\r\n\/* CTA *\/\r\n#erg-v3-final .cta-box{\r\nmargin-top:60px;\r\nbackground:linear-gradient(135deg,#283745,#1f2c38);\r\ncolor:#ffffff;\r\npadding:45px 35px;\r\nborder-radius:14px;\r\ntext-align:center;\r\n}\r\n\r\n#erg-v3-final .cta-box h3{\r\nfont-size:26px;\r\nmargin-bottom:15px;\r\ncolor:#ffffff;\r\n}\r\n\r\n#erg-v3-final .cta-box p{\r\ncolor:#e6f7ff;\r\nmargin-bottom:28px;\r\n}\r\n\r\n#erg-v3-final .cta-btn{\r\ndisplay:inline-block;\r\nbackground:#00A4FF;\r\ncolor:#ffffff;\r\npadding:14px 30px;\r\nborder-radius:6px;\r\nfont-weight:700;\r\ntext-decoration:none;\r\ntransition:all 0.3s ease;\r\n}\r\n\r\n#erg-v3-final .cta-btn:hover{\r\nbackground:#02D1FE;\r\ncolor:#283745;\r\n}\r\n<\/style>\r\n\r\n<div class=\"wrap\">\r\n\r\n<p>Ergonomic injuries can cost businesses billions of dollars. Lifting large objects, leaning, reaching overhead, lifting and dragging heavy loads, engaging in uncomfortable body postures, and continuing to do the same or similar activities will all subject employees to potential hazard factors at work.<\/p>\r\n\r\n<p>These hazards can result in musculoskeletal disorders (MSDs), which are injuries related to muscles, tendons, nerves, joints, spinal discs, and cartilage. Work-related MSDs pose a great threat, but they are avoidable. Ergonomics, or tailoring a job to a worker\u2019s needs, decreases muscle exhaustion, boosts productivity, and lowers the amount and magnitude of work-related MS.<\/p>\r\n\r\n<p>To mitigate this risk, you can also take OSHA <span class=\"num\">30-Hour<\/span> Outreach for Construction, which will educate you on how to prevent workplace ergonomics while taking practical safety measures.<\/p>\r\n\r\n<h2>Workplace Ergonomic Injuries: Lower Back Pain<\/h2>\r\n\r\n<p>More than <span class=\"num\">80%<\/span> of Americans will feel lower back pain at some stage in their life. Furthermore, it is estimated that over <span class=\"num\">31 million<\/span> people in the United States alone suffer from lower back pain at any given time. Lower back pain is the most frequent ergonomic injury in today\u2019s workplace, and it can cause considerable discomfort for workers as well as high costs for employers. Indirect and direct workers\u2019 compensation costs for a mild lower back injury total <span class=\"num\">$9,200<\/span>. Below is the list of actions employees can take to decrease their chances of lower back pain.<\/p>\r\n\r\n<div style=\"text-align: center; width: 100%;  display: flex; justify-content: center;\">\r\n          <img decoding=\"async\" \r\n            src=\"https:\/\/www.oshaoutreachcourses.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/04\/image_2023_10_06T13_21_27_746Z.png\"\r\n            alt=\"\"\r\n            style=\"border-radius: 20px;margin: 20px;\"\r\n            width=\"1000\"\r\n          >\r\n<\/div>\r\n\r\n<ul>\r\n<li>Sit in front of your desk as safely as you are able to.<\/li>\r\n<li>Place your palms on the surface of your desk with your upper arms parallel to your spine.<\/li>\r\n<li>Your knees should be bent at a 90-degree angle.<\/li>\r\n<li>If your elbows are lower than the surface of your bench, raise or lower the height of your chair so your arms form the proper angle.<\/li>\r\n<li>The armrests on a good chair should be positioned to gently raise your shoulders.<\/li>\r\n<li>Shape a fist and put it between the back of your calf and the front of your chair.<\/li>\r\n<li>Close your eyes for a few seconds while still sitting in your chair, and gently open them.<\/li>\r\n<\/ul>\r\n\r\n<h2>Workplace Ergonomic Injuries: Wrist Carpal Tunnel<\/h2>\r\n\r\n<p>Workplace Ergonomic injuries are prevalent and cost businesses <span class=\"num\">$15 to $20 billion<\/span> annually. However, this can be easily prevented by providing or taking site safety training courses like OSHA 30 training, as this course dispenses detailed knowledge on how to avoid workplace ergonomics.\r\n<\/p>\r\n\r\n<p>Wrist accidents, including carpal tunnel syndrome, can be mild to severe, and recovery can take months. A mild wrist injury, which affects <span class=\"num\">2 million Americans<\/span> per year, would cost a business an average of <span class=\"num\">$7,600<\/span> in direct and indirect workers\u2019 compensation expenses. Below are the preventive measures for wrist carpal tunnel.\r\n<\/p>\r\n<div style=\"text-align: center; width: 100%;  display: flex; justify-content: center;\">\r\n          <img decoding=\"async\" \r\n            src=\"https:\/\/www.oshaoutreachcourses.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/04\/image_2023_10_06T13_21_27_747Z.png\"\r\n            alt=\"\"\r\n            style=\"border-radius: 20px;margin: 20px;\"\r\n            width=\"1000\"\r\n          >\r\n<\/div>\r\n\r\n<ul>\r\n<li>Have your elbows at the same height as your keyboard.<\/li>\r\n<li>Place your keyboard in front of you.<\/li>\r\n<li>Position the keyboard for a close, <span class=\"num\">90-degree<\/span> elbow alignment, and place your forearms parallel to the surface.<\/li>\r\n<li>Place the cursor so that you can loosen your shoulders and hold your wrist in a neutral position.<\/li>\r\n<li>Sit with your back straight and your feet flat on the ground, rather than hunching over.<\/li>\r\n<li>To encourage movement, unlock the backrest of your chair.<\/li>\r\n<\/ul>\r\n\r\n<h2>Workplace Ergonomic Injuries: Shoulder<\/h2>\r\n\r\n<p>The shoulder can be the most costly ergonomic injury in the workplace, with the total direct and indirect workers\u2019 compensation bills for a serious injury being more than <span class=\"num\">$10,000<\/span>. Shoulder and rotator cuff injuries are typical when bodies are forced to perform in an uncomfortable or unusual pose for a prolonged period of time, such as lifting or working overhead. Below is the list of preventive measures to take for workplace ergonomic injuries.<\/p>\r\n<div style=\"text-align: center; width: 100%;  display: flex; justify-content: center;\">\r\n          <img decoding=\"async\" \r\n            src=\"https:\/\/www.oshaoutreachcourses.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/04\/image_2023_10_06T13_21_27_747Z-1.png\"\r\n            alt=\"\"\r\n            style=\"border-radius: 20px;margin: 20px;\"\r\n            width=\"1000\"\r\n          >\r\n<\/div>\r\n\r\n<ul>\r\n<li>When you sit or stand, maintain proper balance.<\/li>\r\n<li>Follow the lifting safety law. Maintain a straight back to use your knees.<\/li>\r\n<li>Every hour, take a couple of minutes to relax. Stretch and move back.<\/li>\r\n<li>Make sure your workstation is set up so that you can use your computer conveniently.<\/li>\r\n<\/ul>\r\n\r\n<h2>Workplace Ergonomic Injuries: Neck<\/h2>\r\n\r\n<p>Neck pain and pain are likely to occur when a person is forced to keep their head in a non-neutral position for an extended period of time. The most costly workplace ergonomic injury condition is a minor neck injury, with an overall cost of more than <span class=\"num\">$20,000<\/span>.<\/p>\r\n<div style=\"text-align: center; width: 100%;  display: flex; justify-content: center;\">\r\n          <img decoding=\"async\" \r\n            src=\"https:\/\/www.oshaoutreachcourses.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/04\/image_2023_10_06T13_36_28_160Z.png\"\r\n            alt=\"\"\r\n            style=\"border-radius: 20px;margin: 20px;\"\r\n            width=\"1000\"\r\n          >\r\n<\/div>\r\n\r\n\r\n<ul>\r\n<li>A successful pre-shift stretching routine can improve circulation and muscle and tendon elasticity.<\/li>\r\n<li>Proper lifting exercises should be taught to team members.<\/li>\r\n<li>Team participants should execute specific stretches to relieve tension.<\/li>\r\n<li>Team members should maintain healthy practices and keep their bodies ready for work.<\/li>\r\n<\/ul>\r\n\r\n<h2>Conclusion<\/h2>\r\n\r\n<p>Understanding proper body mechanics and listening to the body as it gives warning signs that an injury is emerging are the keys to preventing workplace ergonomic injury.<\/p>\r\n\r\n<p>Although pain can indicate an injury has already occurred, recognizing when to seek medical attention for discomfort can significantly reduce injury severity.<\/p>\r\n\r\n<p>Companies and employers must take workplace ergonomic injuries seriously and ensure employees have OSHA training so they can stay safe and healthy at work.<\/p>\r\n\r\n<div class=\"cta-box\">\r\n<h3>Advance Your Workplace Safety with OSHA Training<\/h3>\r\n<p>Enroll in <span class=\"num\">OSHA 10-Hour<\/span> or <span class=\"num\">OSHA 30-Hour<\/span> Outreach Training to reduce workplace injuries, improve compliance, and protect your workforce.<\/p>\r\n<a href=\"https:\/\/www.oshaoutreachcourses.com\/courses\" class=\"cta-btn\">Start OSHA Training Today<\/a>\r\n<\/div>\r\n\r\n<\/div>\r\n<\/section>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Ergonomic injuries can cost businesses billions of dollars. Lifting large objects, leaning, reaching overhead, lifting&#8230;<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":6263,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_acf_changed":false,"footnotes":""},"categories":[24],"tags":[142,133],"class_list":["post-1257","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-health-and-safety","tag-how-to","tag-workplace"],"acf":[],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.oshaoutreachcourses.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/1257","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.oshaoutreachcourses.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.oshaoutreachcourses.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.oshaoutreachcourses.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.oshaoutreachcourses.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=1257"}],"version-history":[{"count":31,"href":"https:\/\/www.oshaoutreachcourses.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/1257\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":25659,"href":"https:\/\/www.oshaoutreachcourses.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/1257\/revisions\/25659"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.oshaoutreachcourses.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/6263"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.oshaoutreachcourses.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=1257"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.oshaoutreachcourses.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=1257"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.oshaoutreachcourses.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=1257"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}