Pain In The Neck, Pain In The Shoulder, Pain In The Back   Original Publication: DICTA (Publication of the KBA) Author:  Bonnie Holmes, Tennessee Valley Authority Date Published:  February, 2000 According to Safety Mentor, published by the U.S. Department of Labor and U.S. Department of Education, over 1600 office employees suffer injuries in the workplace each week. Workplace injuries include slipping on wet floors to paper cuts to back injuries to those related to office automation. The most expensive are back injuries and repetitive motion injuries. Firms can avoid many injuries by keeping office areas organized and clean. Periodically check for hazards, such as broken chairs, electrical cords crossing walking areas or isles, spills, and improperly loaded filing cabinets. However, the primary source of office injuries may not be that obvious. Frequently, the source is a lack of movement or improper movement. Although we may think that low back problem usually involves heavy physical work, individuals whose job involves sitting or standing for long periods are also at greater risk. Understanding how equipment, tasks, and human structure interrelate can help in avoiding injuries. The two most important aspects involve how employees physically interact with equipment and their range of motion in completing tasks. Major back injuries are due to: using the back like a crane (the "c" position); improper lifting, reaching and twisting; poor sitting posture; poor physical condition; and personal stress. To avoid back injuries, instruct employees to: 1) maintain a straight back when lifting, using the large joints as levers, 2) keep lifted objects close to the body, and 3) avoid reaching, twisting, and bending forward when handling objects. Try to avoid putting the back into a curved or "c" position. One way to do this is to imagine that you have a straight pole tied to your back from the neck to waist. Office work involves office furniture. Frequently, firms use office furniture designed for typewriters rather than computers. Consequently, problems arise from improper positioning of chairs, computer monitors, the mouse, and telephone. Health problems frequently reported by office workers include headaches; neck, shoulder, and lower back pain; irritability; deteriorated vision, eye strain, blurred vision, and eye irritation. Occupational health and safety specialists attribute many of these problems to improper positioning of office equipment and furniture. The best furniture is adjustable to meet the physical requirements of a wide range of employees. The chair should: have a minimum of five legs with castors (this puts less strain on the back in adjusting positions); be adjustable, allowing the thighs to be in a horizontal position while the feet are flat on the floor or other surface; have a seat with sufficient depth to allow back support while the knee is comfortable. Use a small pillow to give greater support between the back and chair rest if support is still insufficient after adjustment; have an adjustable back rest that fits the low back curvature; and, be comfortable. After correctly positioning the chair, the proper desk or work surface height can be determined. The employee's elbow should rest at a 90 degree angle. For those without bifocals or trifocals, position the top of the monitor screen at slightly below eye level. If the employee uses bifocals or trifocals, position the monitor so that the employee can view the screen without stretching or tipping the head backward. Make monitor adjustments by lowering or raising the work surface or placing the monitor on flat surge protectors or other stable surfaces. Reduce monitor glare by reducing overhead lighting and adding desk lamps, placing monitors 90 degrees to a window, adjusting blinds, tipping the monitor slightly downward, and cleaning the monitor screen. The correct keyboarding position for employees is with forearms parallel to the floor and elbows at the side. Adjustable keyboards that range from 25 to 31 inches usually accommodate all employees. Use a keyboard extension, if necessary, to locate the mouse near the keyboard. For those who frequently use the mouse, this position avoids improper repetitive reaching. Position the document holder between the monitor and keyboard at the same height and angle as the monitor. The key is to minimize neck rotation. Some employees experience neck pain caused by improper telephone positioning. Place the telephone receiver close enough to avoid constant extensions of the arm. Employees should avoid cradling the telephone between the shoulder and head. If employees tend to cradle the telephone due to multiple tasks, consider adding speaker features or a headset. Avoiding injury involves correct positioning and movement. An easy formula to remember is the "90 degree" position. Adjust office furniture and equipment to provide for positioning the: ankle joint, knee, hip joint, and elbow at 90 degrees; the neck relatively straight; the wrist straight; and, the shoulder at zero degrees of flexion. In addition encourage employees to: Vary activities by shifting from keyboarding to filing or telephone work. Position frequently used objects (such as the telephone, message pad, and writing instruments) close to the body to avoid awkward positions and frequent reaching. Staple, keyboard, and hole punch with minimum force. Try stretching exercises throughout the day. Desk and work station exercises can be simple and easy to do. For that wrist pain: stand with arms outstretched in front; gently flex the wrists up and down; rotate the hands in circles for 5 minutes. For eye strain: start with long, deep breaths; relax the shoulders; slowly inhale while gradually looking to the far left; exhale and repeat to the far right; keep shoulders and head still; complete three sets; blink the eyes for ten seconds; close the eyes and complete three long breaths. For back discomfort (no slouching at the desk): stretch every 10 minutes; start with the back straight and feet flat on the floor; slowly lower the arms to the thighs; stretch the back by reaching out with the crown and lengthening the spine; lower the chest to the thighs; and relax the head. If the chin can comfortably rest on the knees, slowly lower the hands to the floor and walk the fingers to the toes. Breathe deeply five to ten times. Slowly reverse the process, stacking the vertebrae one at a time until sitting straight again. Employees are a significant firm investment. Preventing injury and promoting health and safety promotes efficiency and productivity. Good posture, correctly positioned office furniture and equipment, proper movement, and periodic stretching exercise can reduce the risk of workplace injury.     Date this site was last updated: June 01, 2010		Premier Business Partners: _____________     _____________ Helpful Legal Links:      ____________   ____________ Review the Knoxville ALA Compensation & Benefits Survey Report Here!
	© Copyright 2010 ALA-Knoxville Chapter. All Rights Reserved. Questions or comments about this site should be directed to  The Web Master   DISCLAIMER: The Knoxville Chapter of the Association of Legal Administrators is a separate legal entity from the Association of Legal Administrators (ALA). ALA licenses the use of its name, mark, logos and other protected properties to chapters which are in good standing. ALA disclaims all liability or responsibility whatsoever for the actions, representations and liabilities of the Knoxville Chapter, specifically including those of any nature whatsoever arising from or out of the content of the other features related to the Knoxville Chapter Web site.  In no event shall the ALA be deemed the guarantor of the Knoxville Chapter.