Ergonomic Principles
TIPS: Ergonomics for Washing Dishes with Ease
Often overlooked in terms of its impact on our well-being are daily tasks such washing dishes. If we handle this apparently little chore carelessly, it might strain our bodies. Here is where ergonomics helps us to maximize this daily activity for more comfort, efficiency, and general health by means of its application.
Washing Dishes with Ease
There is a lot going on in the kitchen, and many of us spend daily time on chores including dishwashing. Bad dishwashing techniques can cause discomfort and possibly long-term medical problems. Think on the following to improve the ergonomics of this exercise:
Maintaining a straight spine, try not to hunch over the sink. Open the door under the sink and alternate foot resting on the cabinet’s bottom shelf.
Organized Setup: To prevent a long reach, keep your dishes nearby. If you find yourself in a circumstance when you have cleaned all the dishes around, stop to relocate the following set of dishes nearby once more.
Invest in ergonomic dishwashing products, including hand tools to assist with scrubbing, and think about using a padded mat to relieve lower back and foot pain.
Message from Tim: Let’s work together. I have helped 100s of organizations with my personalized ergonomic programs and advice. Click on this link to schedule a no-obligation consultation to find out more.
Ergonomic Principles
TIPS: Simple Ways to Protect Your Shoulders
Certain repetitive activities put more strain on the rotator cuff and can cause damage. Shoulder injuries can result from overhead-throwing motions used in sports like baseball, football, tennis, volleyball, and competitive swimming as well as in occupations like painting, hair styling, and construction.
Here are some tips you can take to prevent putting additional strain on your shoulders:
- Pay attention to your posture. During sleep, lay either on your back or side.
- When you sit, keep your head over your shoulders and keep your shoulders back.
- Don’t carry a backpack or purse over just one shoulder.
- Avoid working with your arms above shoulder level for very long. When possible, use a footstool or ladder to lessen the strain on your shoulders.
- Lift and carry objects close to your body. Try not to lift heavy loads with outstretched arms.
- Take regular breaks from any activity you must repeat over and over again.
- Keep your thumb up when you reach for something with your arm.
Read the original article Simple Habits for Shoulder Health
Message from Tim: Let’s work together. I have helped 100s of organizations with my personalized ergonomic programs and advice. Click on this link to schedule a no-obligation consultation to find out more.
Ergonomic Principles
Heidi Hermann Wright, DHS, MBA, OTR, CHT offers simple holiday tips for ladder safety, luggage transport and meat carving:
- Check ladders for broken hinges, rungs or loose screws, and wear proper footwear.
- Position ladder an appropriate distance from work space, especially when hanging or installing decorations.
- Have a friend or family member commit to being your ladder buddy – helping you stabilize and stay focused.
- Purchase luggage on wheels for ease of transport, and pack light.
- Place luggage on seat first, then lift into overhead compartment and lift with legs to avoid back strain. Avoid rushing to place bags overhead if connections between flights are tight. Consider placing under the seat instead.
- Make sure cutting utensils are sharpened, and cut away from the body when slicing meat. Stay focused on your task of cutting by minimizing distractions. Cutting space should be dry and well lit, and utensils should be dry, too.
- Do not allow young children to carve, cut or chop.
Please remember that spreading your workload over a reasonable number of days will also prevent over-fatigue and overuse conditions involving muscles, tendons and joints!
Read the original article Advice from a Certified Hand Therapist: Safety Tips to Avoid Common Holiday Injuries
Message from Tim: Let’s work together. I have helped 100s of organizations with my personalized ergonomic programs and advice. Click on this link to schedule a no-obligation consultation to find out more.
Ergonomic Principles
Doing a Lot of Computer Work? Here are six things to consider for your ergonomic health
- Maintain good posture: This means sitting slightly reclined with your shoulders relaxed, feet flat on the floor or on a footrest, and hips pushed back into the chair.
- Adjust your chair: Your chair should be adjustable in height, tilt, and lumbar support to allow you to maintain a comfortable, neutral posture.
- Position your keyboard and mouse correctly: Your keyboard should be positioned at a height that allows your elbows to rest comfortably at your sides, and your mouse should be within easy reach and at the same level as your keyboard.
- Adjust your monitor: The top of your monitor should be at or slightly below eye level, and the screen should be about an arm’s length away from you.
- Take breaks: It’s important to take regular breaks to stretch, move around, and rest your eyes. The 20-20-20 rule is a good guideline to follow: every 20 minutes, take a break for 20 seconds and look at something 20 feet away.
- Use ergonomic accessories: Consider using ergonomic accessories, such as a wrist rest, footrest, or monitor arm, to improve your comfort and reduce strain on your body.
By following these ergonomic principles, you can reduce the risk of discomfort, pain, and injury associated with prolonged computer use. Ergonomic consulting services can also help identify risk factors and suggest solutions to prevent injuries from occurring.
Message from Tim: Let’s work together. I have helped 100s of organizations with my personalized ergonomic programs and advice. Click on this link to schedule a no-obligation consultation to find out more.
