The Bureau of Labor Statistics reports that one-third of all lost work time injuries are a result of injuries caused by Work-related Musculoskeletal Disorders (WMSDs), which are caused by an accumulation of stress on the body. WMSDs can be significantly reduced or even eliminated with the effective use of Ergonomics. 

By reducing WMSDs, Ergonomics helps businesses decrease the costs of:

• Absenteeism
• Presenteeism - the loss of productivity in workers who are injured, but still working
• Workers' Compensation costs
• Lost work time Employee Turnover
• Indirect costs of decreased efficiency, disrupted work flow, decreased quality and increased work load on remaining workers when an employee is out of work due to a health condition.  Indirect costs are estimated to be 2 to 5 times the measurable direct costs of lost work time injuries.

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RISK FACTORS FOR WMSDs

Prolonged exposure to the risk factors listed below will increase the chances for WMSDs.  Changes in behavior, workstation organization or positioning that reduce a risk factor will also reduce the chance of WMSDs.

• Force
• Repetition
• Awkward Posture
• Contact Stress
• Temperature
• Vibration

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REDUCING WMSDs AT COMPUTER WORKSATIONS
The case for Neutral Positioning

Improper body positioning impacts all types of work.  When workers stay in optimal alignment, they experience increased comfort and decreased fatigue because the daily accumulation of stress is minimized. 

For example, picture sitting comfortably in your car with your hands on the bottom of the steering wheel.  This position is neutral.  You can feel an increase in strain when you raise your arms to type, turn to look at a monitor, or sit without using the chair's backrest.  Most discomfort resolves dramatically when computer workers can stay in "Car Driving" position at their desk. 

Tips for staying in neutral position, or "Car Driving position", at your desk:

• Raise your chair so the height of your desk is just below the height of your elbows when they are resting at your side.
• If available, use a keyboard tray to lower the keyboard to just below the height of your elbows when they are resting at your side.
• Use a document holder to prop up paperwork instead of trying to read it flat on the desktop.
• Sit close to your desk and bring your work close to you.  Type and mouse with your upper arms hanging straight down from your shoulders.
• Use a footrest to prevent your legs from dangling off the front of the chair.
• Adjust your monitor height so the top plastic border is at eye level, or 1-2 inches lower if you have bi-focals.
• Set armrests low enough to get close to your desk and allow free arm movement.  Sometimes it's easiest to remove armrests.
• Laptop computers are made to be convenient, but not Ergonomic. Use a laptop riser and external keyboard for extended use.
• Take a 20 second microbreak every 20 minutes to change position or stretch where you feel uncomfortable.
• Stand up from your chair, at least briefly, every hour.

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• Reduce the weight of objects that must be handled manually.
• Use carts, powered lifts or other equipment to reduce lifting and carrying.
• Set the work surface at a position that doesn't require bending or reaching
• Use long-handled tools to reduce reaching
• Store the most commonly used items in the most accessible space
• Use powered tools to reduce hand-intensive work
• Organize work flow to eliminate unnecessary movements
• Take a 20 second microbreak every 20 minutes to stretch
• Change tasks or rotate with co-workers to avoid spending too much time doing the same activity
• Select tools designed for a full hand grasp instead of a pinch
• Select tools designed for use with a neutral wrist
• Select tools that require minimal gripping force
• Enlarge handles to reduce gripping force
• Grasp items with two hands
• Lift items from the bottom, instead of pinching from the top
• Use a tool balancer to decrease the effort required for a heavy tool

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