Laboratory Ergonomics

In addition to the risk of working daily with hazardous materials and substances, laboratory personnel are also exposed to many ergonomic risks due to the nature of their work and research they conduct.  Laboratory-associated ergonomic risks are the same as those found in the office and general industry.  These risk factors include awkward or sustained postures, highly repetitive movements, excessive force or strain, contact stresses, and vibration.

In the lab, good ergonomic work practices are often sacrificed.  Don't wait for your wake up call, visit our website and complete an ergonomic checklist for your lab or work station.

www.ergonomicworks.com 

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qb7_ZxYeb78

Tingling Fingers or Finger Numbness?

Dealing with tingling fingers? If so, you may be wondering if the next step is going to be finger numbness. This is definitely a good question. The problem with tingling fingers is that they can be a symptom of several different problems, with the two most common being carpal tunnel syndrome and RSI (repetitive stress injuries). Both of these problems can cause tingling fingers. However, you may be wondering if it is going to only get worse from here. Well, let's take a closer look at the problems and how they often progress.

Carpal Tunnel and RSI

Both carpal tunnel syndrome and repetitive stress injuries can cause tingling fingers as well as numbness of the fingers. Carpal tunnel is a problem that deals with the median nerve. Often the carpal tunnel is compressed and presses down on the nerve, causing pain, tingling, and in some cases, even numbness. Repetitive stress injuries are a bit different, although they can include the carpal tunnel. They are injuries that occur because of a motion that is done repetitively, or over and over again. This can definitely cause some painful symptoms, including tingling in the fingers.

Usually Tingling Occurs First

In most cases of carpal tunnel and RSI, you will find that the tingling in the fingers occurs first. However, this is not always the case. Sometimes you will find that the numbness in the fingers can occur first. At times these symptoms may be exclusive of each other, but usually you will find that they do come in pairs.

In Some Cases Finger Numbness Occurs

If you are already dealing with finger tingling, you may find that finger numbness is not far behind. This doesn't always occur this way though. There are some cases when both the tingling and the numbness occur together. In other cases, you may find that the tingling occurs and numbness never ends up occurring.

Ignoring the Problem causes More Problems

While it may seem admirable or courageous to ignore carpal tunnel symptoms, such as finger numbness, in order to keep your job, this can actually cause even more problems. In fact, just ignoring any carpal tunnel symptoms that you have in the beginning can lead to a more severe case of the problem in the long run. It is only early diagnosis and treatment that can help to keep this problem from getting worse, keeping employees more productive when they are on the job.

Let’s us help you contact us at www.ergonomicworks.com. Also watch our video on YouTube by clicking on the link below.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qb7_ZxYeb78&list=LLsnSaKuefqOtks3FoJ36j4g

Computer Workers Benefit and Possible Drawbacks from Keyboard Wrist Rest

Computer Workers Benefit from Keyboard Wrist Rest

For those who work at computers all the time, one of the best pieces of equipment to have is a good keyboard wrist rest. They can help to prevent repetitive stress injuries and even carpal tunnel syndrome. These wrist rests are designed in such a way that they keep the wrists from being able to bend backwards while users are typing or using the mouse. They help to take some of the pressure from the shoulders and provide a softer surface for the wrist to lie on.

Possible Drawbacks

First of all, there are a few drawbacks to some keyboard wrist rests that you need to be aware of. In some cases, if the rest is too high or thick, it can cause the wrist to flex forward, which can be damaging. For rests that come with sharper edges, they can end up being uncomfortable. In some cases, certain designs of wrist rests can actually cause pressure on the carpal tunnel, leading to median nerve compression. These are just a few drawbacks that you'll want to watch out for when considering a wrist rest for your keyboard. With many different designs on the market, careful shopping will allow you to choose the right wrist rest.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qb7_ZxYeb78&list=LLsnSaKuefqOtks3FoJ36j4g

Causes of Stress at Work – Could It Be Your Workstation Set-Up?

When you think of your workstation set-up, you probably think of where your phone, your stapler, your personal items, and maybe where your coffee cup sit. You probably don’t think much about whether your computer workstation is set up for the a little or a lot of stress. There’s more to stress at work than just the demands of your productivity.  Just sitting at a computer all day can give your body a tremendous amount of stress if not set up properly. Stress on your neck, shoulders, back, elbows, forearms, wrists, and hands are all part of a poorly aligned computer workstation.  The way you sit and use your computer can cause chronic pain and stress. That tight neck and aching shoulders could be coming from the way you sit and use your computer rather than mental stress and strain. This stress and strain can be a big drain on your productivity and on your physical well-being.

To ease the physical stress on your body during work, make sure you workstation is set to provide you the best ergonomic environment. 

Your monitor should sit centered so your eyes focus on the top of the monitor, about arm's length away. Place you keyboard in the center.

Your desk should be about belly button height.  Usually this is between twenty and twenty-eight inches from the floor. If you have a fixed desk height, you may consider using a keyboard tray to place your keyboard and mouse at the proper height for optimal ergonomics.  Also make sure there is sufficient space under your desk for your legs to be in a comfortable position no matter which way you are sitting. Minimum under desk clearance for your legs should be fifteen inches from your knees. Making a few simple changes to your desk can produce a much more comfortable and less stressful work environment.

Avoid glass desktops or any finish that could cause a glare. Even a small amount of glare at your workstation can place undue stress on your eyes.

Your chair should allow your knees to be at ninety degree angles with feet flat on the floor and should allow you to sit up straight with sufficient back support.

Just following these simple set-up rules will reduce stress on you upper body. Check your workstation and make adjustments as recommended. You’ll be pleasantly rewarded with less stress. Contact us if you would like personal Ergonomic assessment of your workstation.

www.ergonomicworks.com

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qb7_ZxYeb78&list=LLsnSaKuefqOtks3FoJ36j4g

Is Your Workstation Set-up Causing Neck and Shoulder Pain Check Your Set Up

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qb7_ZxYeb78&list=LLsnSaKuefqOtks3FoJ36j4g

The set-up of your workstation may be the root of your neck and shoulder discomfort. If your workstation does not allow for these simple keys to an ergonomic supporting workstation, make the changes needed today.

If the height of your desk doesn’t match the height at which you are sitting, you are probably raising your shoulders constantly as you work.  As desk that is too high will cause you to raise your shoulders to prop on the desk.  This results in strain and pain.  Also a desk that is too low can have you stretching and reaching and constantly looking down as you work, resulting once again in shoulder and neck pain.

Your monitor position should be exactly at eye level. This will keep you from continually looking up or down causing unnecessary stress on your neck and shoulders. If you need to raise your monitor to reach the proper height, a monitor stand is a great solution.

Your head and neck staying in line with your body can help eliminate the neck and shoulder pain you are feeling. The right office chair will give you the support you need to keep your back in the right positions to help support the best posture for your upper body. 

Awkward positions can cause stress on your neck, shoulders, and spine. Choosing the right workstation and equipment will help eliminate the chance of lasting neck and shoulder pain.

www.ergonomicworks.com

How to Reduce a Common Shoulder Discomfort:

How to Reduce a Common Shoulder Discomfort:

Cradling the telephone handset between your shoulder and ear can result in shoulder discomfort. A Plantronics headset eliminates the need to hold the telephone in this uncomfortable position. Your shoulders can stay completely relaxed as you enjoy a new level of comfort and freedom.

Reduce Neck Aches: 

Squeezing the telephone between your shoulder and ear can be very stressful on your neck, often causing muscle spasms and stiffness. With a Plantronics headset you can keep your neck in an upright position. You'll appreciate the difference immediately.

Increase Blood Flow and Reduce Muscle Fatigue:

Craning your neck during extended phone calls can lead to improper cervical alignment. The result can be reduced blood flow and accelerated muscle fatigue. Plantronics headsets help to eliminate this problem by freeing you to move and sit more naturally.

Increase Productivity:

By making your workstation more comfortable and by freeing up your hands for other tasks, you'll find that you can get more work done each day.

Reduce Workers' Compensation Costs:

Headsets are known to reduce the chances of work-related physical disorders, specifically injuries of the neck and upper body, resulting in reduced workers' compensation costs

 Visit our website , we can help you.

www.ergonomicworks.com

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qb7_ZxYeb78

Why Ergonomic/ Ergonomic Video Training

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