The Most Common Office Injuries

Contrary to popular belief, it isn’t just those who work in particular jobs such as construction that experience debilitating workplace injuries; it’s also those of us who work in offices every day. Spending eight or more hours a day–five days a week–in an office chair has its effects on your body and can lead to health issues such as high blood pressure, risk of cardiovascular disease, and elevated cholesterol levels. If you work in an office, you know that there are also plenty of aches and pains.

It is important for employers to adopt proper ergonomics in the workplace in order to prevent some of the strain. Ensuring that workers have computer screens at eye level, sit with their back straight, feet flat on the floor, and shoulders square will help to prevent excessive strain on the back and neck.

Below, we discuss the five most common office injuries:

Forward Head Posture Condition

Thirty percent of Americans experience upper back and neck stress, largely due to desk jobs. While it is partially caused by failing to sit up straight, sitting at a computer causes the shoulders to round and head to lean forward. Over time, this causes a number of negative effects, including shifting the bones in the back and neck from their natural position into an abnormal forward position. If untreated, it can lead to a number of serious issues, such as headaches, decreased lung capacity, migraines, muscle spasms, and jaw conditions, all of which worse over time and lead to conditions that are essentially irreversible.

Chronic Low Back Pain

Approximately 80 percent of adults experience lower back pain. It is the leading cause of disabilities worldwide, and accounts for almost 30 million days of work lost every year. According to experts, the culprit is sitting at a 90-degree angle for most of the day, which causes our muscles to become tight and pull on our pelvis. As a result, shifting your chair and adjusting desk height can help relieve some symptoms, but this does not prevent or fix the issue because the relief can only be found in the lower body (i.e. the hamstrings, hip flexors, and quadriceps).

Carpal Tunnel Syndrome

Carpal tunnel syndrome is also a serious issue for a number of people who work in offices because many of us are over using our wrists by typing and doing other activities. Eight million people are diagnosed with it every year, and as a result, workers can experience burning, numbness, weakness, and prickling in their hands.

Slip And Fall Injuries

Slip and fall injuries are also hazardous and many may not realize that they are also an issue for those who work in offices. According to statistics, office workers are 2.5 times more likely to suffer from a fall and related injury; usually due to a number of conditions such as carpeting, open desks or drawers, electrical cords, wet floors, uneven tiles, and/or bad lighting.

Eye Strain

60 percent of Americans also report experiencing eye strain due to how digital our lives have become. This can lead to blurred vision, headaches, burning, itching, sore eyes and heavy eyelids. Sadly, over time, our sight can also be compromised as a result of eye strain.

If You’ve Been Injured, Contact A Texas Workplace Injury Attorney 

If you have been injured on the job, contact Houston workplace injury attorney Sue E. West to find out what your options are and how to ensure that you have what you need to recover.

Resource:

fastcompany.com/90452391/these-are-the-5-most-common-office-injuries

https://www.houstonpersonalinjury.law/u-s-workplace-fatalities-on-the-rise/