Injury prevention in the workplace is an important aspect of any office setup. It's no good to you or your employer if you are hurt, so measures must be taken to prevent this from happening.
This is especially true if you work in an office, where the best way to avoid workplace injuries is not always obvious. That is why we have compiled a list of workplace accident prevention strategies to keep you healthy and focused while on the job.
Workplace Injury Prevention Tips
Taking frequent stretching intervals
While you are at work, take regular stretching breaks. If you are sitting at a desk, get up and walk about now and again. You do not need to haul out your yoga mat and start doing downward dog; simply take a walk around the office to stretch your legs.
If you work from home, make it a point to get up and take a little walk every hour or so. It will help you stay focused and prevent your body from being stiff and your bones from becoming brittle. This is one of the best workplace injury prevention suggestions we can offer.
Doing hand stretches
This suggestion is only for some office workers. Hand and wrist stretches are one of the most prominent workplace injury prevention tips that you should be following if you work in a job that demands a lot of typing.
Keep your muscles from cramping by stretching out your fingers. This will not only help you type faster, but will also help you avoid acquiring arthritis in your hands for as long as possible.
Positioning of your keyboard
Wrist strain can be reduced by using a split keyboard design. Make sure you have a long enough cord to allow you to position it in a variety of ways, depending on your preferences.
If you are having trouble using your existing keyboard, consider upgrading to a larger one. Experiment with several options until you discover one that you like.
Computer monitor placement
We are all guilty of having bad posture at times. Some of us have a bad habit of slouching, while others sit at an angle on their chairs. IF your monitor is not within eye level, the more it is that you do not mind your posture.
It will affect your body if you sit at your desk for eight hours a day, five days a week. To avoid this, ensure that both feet are firmly planted on the ground, that your back is straight, and that your elbows are at a 90-degree angle.
Purchase a footrest
This may appear to be counterintuitive, yet it makes sense. Your hips should be at a 90 to a 100-degree angle and your feet should be flat on the floor. This is not feasible for everyone, and it is especially inconvenient for office employees who already have poor posture and are prone to injury in the workplace. In this case, an adjustable footrest will give you the best of both worlds.
Keep your desk at a comfortable height for you
Keep your workstation at elbow height as a way to connect things. This will govern your monitor, chair, and everything else in your ergonomic setup, making it the focal point.
Get an ergonomic chair
This is something that we cannot emphasize enough. This is the one to remember if you are going to use any of the suggestions on this list. As the first generation of office workers matures, we as a society are realizing just how horrible sitting for 40 hours a week can be. It wreaks havoc on your back and spine, and it can have a significant impact on how you age.
All of this may be avoided by investing in an ergonomic chair like FlexiSpot's Ergonomic Office Chair OC3B. These chairs are made to support your back and spine in a way that matches the natural curve of your spine, preventing you from bending and suffering from back pain.
Get rid of blue light
This suggestion is related to the previous one. Blue light is a sort of light that is included in the LED lights on your phone, monitor, or another device.
This type of light is harmful to your eyes, causes fatigue, and reduces productivity. It is so awful that many devices include the option to turn off the blue light. If yours does not, you should invest in a set of blue light spectacles.
Monitor placement
It is not just about your back when it comes to workplace injury prevention; it is also about your eyes. Your vision will be harmed by staring at a monitor for long periods, so you will want to limit the damage as much as possible.
To avoid straining your eyes, keep your monitor 20 to 40 inches away from your face and the top of your screen at or below eye level.
Do not go overboard and push yourself too much
Finally yet importantly, be careful not to overdo it. There is no profession worth hurting yourself over unless you are working on sending humans to Mars.
As a result, if you are feeling burnt out, stiff, or aching, and you can afford it, take a break. It will be beneficial to both your body and mind.
Purchase a standing desk
A standing desk is the polar opposite of an ergonomic chair. Remember how we said you should stretch now and then? A standing desk, on the other hand, will allow you to do so while still working.
An office desk will boost your productivity and energy levels, as well as provide a slew of other advantages. If there's one style tip on this list that can help you with anything, it is this one.
Putting it all together
A single workplace accident can have a significant financial impact on your company. Medical fees missed production, workers' compensation paperwork, and low morale all add up to a lot of money. Unfortunately, no matter how well you plan, an accident or injuries to an employee can still happen.
If this happens, make sure you are ready to get them the help they need as soon as possible. Nonetheless, prevention is preferable to treatment. Now is the time to visit FlexiSpot to purchase ergonomic office equipment that will be ideal for your workstation.
