Cost of Repetitive Strain Injuries in 2023

Cost of Repetitive Strain Injuries in 2023

Repetitive Strain Injuries

The average cost of a workplace repetitive motion injury in 2023 was $40,000.

Repetitive motion injuries can result in either temporary or permanent damage to muscles, ligaments, nerves, and tendons. These injuries occur when a person is making the same problematic motion over and over again².

Additionally, overexertion injuries, which include lifting, pushing, pulling, holding, carrying, or throwing objects, cost employers $13.4 billion every year⁴. It’s essential for companies to prioritize workplace safety and address ergonomic concerns to reduce the financial burden associated with these injuries.

Sources: 2/19/2024
(1) The Average Cost of a Workplace Repetitive Motion Injury is $40,000. https://www.keymethod.com/the-average-cost-of-a-workplace-repetitive-motion-injury-is-40000/.
(2) Work-Related Musculoskeletal Disorders & Ergonomics. https://www.cdc.gov/workplacehealthpromotion/health-strategies/musculoskeletal-disorders/index.html.
(3) 2023 Work Injury Statistics: Complete Guide to the Latest Data. https://workinjurysource.com/2023-work-injury-statistics/.
(4) Must-Know Ergonomic Injury Statistics [Latest Report] – GITNUX. https://gitnux.org/ergonomic-injury-statistics/.

NIH Study Finds High Rates of Persistent Chronic Pain Among U.S. Adults

NIH Study Finds High Rates of Persistent Chronic Pain Among U.S. Adults

Chronic Pain

NIH Study Finds High Rates of Persistent Chronic Pain Among U.S. Adults

  • New cases of chronic pain occur more often among U.S. adults than new cases of several other common conditions, including diabetes, depression, and high blood pressure.
  • Among people who have chronic pain, almost two-thirds still suffer from it a year later.
  • The rate of chronic pain among adults is approximately 21%.
  • Links between the widespread burden of chronic pain and the country’s opioid epidemic underscore the urgency to understand and address the issue of pain.
  • The incidence of new chronic pain cases was high, at 52.4 cases per 1,000 persons per year. New chronic pain cases are much higher than other common chronic conditions, such as diabetes (7.1 cases/1,000 per year), depression (15.9 cases/ 1,000 per year), and hypertension (45.3 cases/1,000 per year).
  • Early management of pain is important due a high occurrence of new cases.
  • Chronic pain is highly persistent, with almost two-thirds (61.4%) reporting chronic pain a year later.

Study Conclusion: The incidence of chronic pain was high compared with other chronic diseases. These results emphasize the high disease burden of chronic pain in the US adult population and the need for early management of pain before it becomes chronic.

Reference: Nahin RL, Feinberg T, Kapos FP, Terman GW. Estimated Rates of Incident and Persistent Chronic Pain Among US Adults, 2019-2020. JAMA Netw Open. 2023.

6 Ways to Combat Eye Strain

6 Ways to Combat Eye Strain

Ergonomic Principles

There are several ways to combat computer eye strain.

Here are some effective strategies that doctors recommend:

  1. Blink often to refresh your eyes. Many people blink less than usual when working at a computer, which can contribute to dry eyes.
  2. Take eye breaks. Throughout the day, give your eyes a break by looking away from your monitor.
  3. Check the lighting and reduce glare. Bright lighting and too much glare can strain your eyes and make it difficult to see objects on your monitor.
  4. Adjust your monitor: Position your monitor so that it’s about an arm’s length away and allows for focusing on the top third of the display.
  5. Adjust your screen settings. Adjust the brightness of the display so it’s approximately the same as the brightness of your surrounding workstation.
  6. Follow the 20-20-20 rule. Every 20 minutes, look at something 20 feet away for 20 seconds. This gives your eyes a moment to relax and readjust after focusing intently on a screen.

SOURCES:
Mayo Clinic
Healthline

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What Four U.S. States Have Specific Ergonomic Regulations?

What Four U.S. States Have Specific Ergonomic Regulations?

Ergonomic Regulations

Four states in the United States have specific ergonomic regulations in place:

  1. California: California has the most comprehensive ergonomic regulations, which require employers to have an ergonomics program in place to address ergonomic hazards and injuries.
  2. Washington: Washington has a set of ergonomic rules that require employers to identify and address ergonomic hazards in the workplace.
  3. Oregon: Oregon has a set of ergonomic guidelines that are intended to help employers identify and address ergonomic hazards in the workplace.
  4. Michigan: Michigan has a set of ergonomic guidelines that are intended to help employers identify and address ergonomic hazards in the workplace.

It is important to note that while these states have specific ergonomic regulations or guidelines in place, all employers are required by federal law to provide a safe and healthy workplace for their employees. The Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) provides guidelines for employers to identify and address ergonomic hazards in the workplace, even if there are no specific regulations in their state.

 

Why Hire an Ergonomic Consultant?

Why Hire an Ergonomic Consultant?

Ergonomic Consulting

Here are the ways an ergonomic consultant can help:

    1. Improve workplace safety: Employers may hire ergonomic consultants to assess their workplace and identify potential hazards that could lead to workplace injuries. This could include assessing workstations, tools, and equipment to ensure they are designed and arranged in a way that minimizes the risk of injury.
    2. Reduce workplace injuries: Ergonomic consultants can help identify and address ergonomic risk factors in the workplace, such as awkward postures, repetitive motions, and excessive force. By addressing these risk factors, they can help reduce the likelihood of workplace injuries and workers’ compensation claims.
    3. Enhance employee comfort and productivity: Ergonomic consultants can help assess the workplace to identify ergonomic risk factors that could be causing discomfort or pain for employees. By addressing these risk factors, they can help improve employee comfort and productivity.
    4. Comply with legal requirements: Employers may hire ergonomic consultants to ensure they are complying with legal requirements related to workplace safety and ergonomics. In some cases, failure to comply with these requirements could result in fines or legal action.
    5. Improve employee retention and job satisfaction: By addressing ergonomic risk factors and improving workplace safety and comfort, employers can help improve employee retention and job satisfaction. This can be especially important in industries where turnover is high or where attracting and retaining skilled workers is a challenge.

     

     

 

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