Cases related to Repetitive Stress Syndrome were minimal in the past, troubling only butchers and factory workers. But incidences are now on the rise because of more web and computer related office work. If one is not careful enough, he (or she) may suffer from repetitive stress related injuries which can cripple one from fulfilling daily office work because of intense pain. While this condition (and its effects) can become serious health problems, it is good to know that the effects are manageable and reversible, and even more, the condition is avoidable.

It is not only the duty of the company to give proper education regarding the health risks of routine work but it is to the company’s advantage as well to give proper work guidelines to ensure optimum performance of the employees. Less health problems will mean less medical and insurance costs. Besides education, you may apply normal precautionary measures so as to avoid the occurrence of these stress related injuries. When followed these measures will significantly lower or even eliminate stress related injuries in the workplace.

Regularly check employee workstations and apply the needed improvements and/or changes necessary to ensure a good and healthful working environment. Use appropriate office furniture (such as tables with allotted spaces for the computer and keyboard.) Situate monitors at user eye-level.

You may get more information about right office setup from the U.S. Occupational Health & Safety Agency, Healthy Computing, WebMD (an online site), and the Ctrs. for Disease Control.

In some cases, equipment and furniture enhancements are not enough. With limited use, time will come for you to replace them. Choices are very much available from a vast number of well designed office furnishings which fill our marketplace today.

You may check with various online sellers, some of which are Herman Miller, Anthro, and Relax the Back. Current models of flat monitors are often VESA compliant. Dealers of these are Ergomart, Atdec, and others. Laptop owners are advised to use detachable keyboards which are available from Griffin Technology and APC.

Repetitive strain injuries result from routine work, so, strategically placed break times should help prevent them. There are available software products which set work stops during the day, samples of which are, Break Reminder, WorkRave, and AntiRSI (for Mac OS).

The computer people use is the first trigger for contracting repetitive stress syndrome. Making simple adjustments on a worker’s computer, such as enlarging font sizes, fixing the tilt of the monitor, adjusting the brightness and contrast of the screen, and etc., can help avoid health problems. Fonts can be easily set larger on Windows OS by manipulating certain settings. Another way to adjust font sizes is to press down the keyboard’s “Ctrl” key while simultaneously rolling the mouse scroll.

Apply the mentioned recommendations to prevent stress related injuries. Still, look for signs and should cases still occur, learn how to manage the problems early. You may consult RSI Action for more help in this area. Stress problems and injuries are serious health problems which must be treated early. Advise your employees to consult their doctors at the onset. Discourage them from turning to Aspirin and other pan relieving medications. The source of the problem must be stopped while it’s still easy to do so in the early stages.

Tags: Ergonomics, Repetitive Stress Syndrome, Workplace Safety