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Newswise — The American workforce is aging. It is estimated that in 25 years the number of people in the United States who are 55 years and older will rise from one out of every 10 Americans to one out of every three Americans. This means more experienced workers in the field, but it can also mean more workplace injuries related to our bodies' natural aging process.
By being aware of the physical changes of aging and workplace risk factors then taking steps to prevent injury, our valuable older workers can minimize injuries as they approach retirement.
Suzanne Bade, an occupational therapist with MWorks, the occupational health division of the University of Michigan Health System, works with individuals and with companies in ergonomic consulting for aging workers, a process MWorks calls "Ageonomicsâ„¢" .
"With education and services within Ageonomics â„¢ we can use ergonomics, meaning fitting the job to the worker, to address those factors specific to the aging population," says Bade. "We look at the physical and mental characteristics of the worker as well as the job requirements, layout of the work environment, the tools and materials used, and how people perform their job."
For the aging worker, arthritis is an important issue, says Bade.
"To help prevent aggravation of arthritis, it's important to pad equipment, so it does not press on sore joints, and so that it is not so small to pinch or grasp," says Bade. "By increasing the size of pens or pencils people are able to use more of a grip than a pinch. Changing the size of other equipment and tools can give people better grip so they don't have to exert as much force with the hand."
It's not just about helping the older workers. New workers can use ergonomics now to prevent work-related injuries. By becoming aware of risk factors and developing healthy work habits, today's workers can help protect themselves into retirement.
Many work-related sprains and strains occur due to a combination of factors with repeated exposure over time. The six most common ergonomic risk factors include: awkward postures, repetitive motion, sustained postures, excessive force contact stress on soft tissue, vibration and working in extreme temperatures.
How to work around these hazards?"¢ If you find yourself reaching, twisting or bending your back, neck and wrists, or holding fixed positions for a prolonged period of time, reorganize your work environment to allow for a variety of comfortable postures."¢ If you exert a lot of physical effort to perform a task try dividing the load to be lifted into smaller portions, use equipment like carts to help move materials, and try to get help when needed."¢ If you do the same motion over and over again the key is to take breaks and pace yourself, as well as alternate tasks that use a variety of muscles."¢ If you operate heavy machinery that vibrates, use effective barriers between the body and the vibration and allow time for periodic breaks."¢ If you work in extreme hot or cold environments, wear protective clothing, take frequent breaks, and give your body extra time to recover.
Prevention today key for the future
Those working in more labor intensive jobs are not the only ones who need to pay attention to work-related injuries. Office workers are also at risk for injury because of the risk factors involved with their work. Research shows that many work-related injuries are musculoskeletal injuries such as sprains and strains, due to repetitive activities or awkward postures.
Office workers may sit at their desks for long periods of time, and may use awkward postures throughout the day. For example, leaning forward in a chair while typing or reading as well as bending, twisting and reaching for work materials can put stress on the hands, back, neck and shoulders.
"If you think of the body as a machine, a machine needs to be oiled and greased, the parts have to line up right, and you have to change out parts if they get overused. With our bodies it's difficult to change out parts, which is why it's so important to use the body in the recommended postures, to keep the muscles balanced between movement and rest, and to set up the surrounding environment so that equipment or tools are nearby."
Bade first focuses on posture:
"We teach office workers to adjust their chair and equipment so that they can work with their ears above their shoulders, and their shoulders above their hips. This begins to put people in neutral posture."
Bade recommends that people using the keyboard position themselves and equipment so they type near elbow height with their wrists straight to help reduce strain. By not resting on hard desktop surfaces, they can help to prevent swelling in the wrist.
Telephone use can also create problems for the shoulders and neck, Bade says.
"When people talk on the telephone, sometimes they bend their neck to the side to hold the phone, especially if typing or writing at the same time. That posture can cause discomfort in the shoulder and the neck area."
To avoid the strain, keep your neck balanced in midline, handle the phone with a light grasp instead of cradling it in your neck and shoulder area and keep your wrists relatively straight and your fingers relaxed. If you use the phone frequently throughout the day try using a telephone headset or the speaker phone option.
Develop healthy work habits
"¢ Rotate your work activities such as typing, using the mouse or reading the computer monitor to avoid strain."¢ Get out of your chair to move around at least once per hour, and always take breaks during any repetitive motion or activity."¢ Use good sitting posture: Have shoulders in line with hips, not hunched forward or slumped, forearms relaxed with elbows close to the body and wrists in a straight line with forearms. Check your position by looking at your middle finger—from any vantage point your middle finger should line up with your forearm."¢ Organize your desk space for minimum straining and reaching. Items you use frequently should be within an arm's length away."¢ Use a chair with good lower back support to facilitate good posture and the natural curve of your back.
Stop strenuous work from becoming backbreaking work
When lifting is in your job description it's important to bend your knees and maintain the natural curve in your back. Squatting is not for everyone, especially those with knee pain.
Other tips include:"¢ Avoid twisting your back while lifting."¢ Keep objects close to your body when you lift, lower or carry them."¢ Slide objects instead of lifting them if that option is available."¢ Lift with your legs while tightening your stomach muscles to help support your back.
It's important for employees to first be aware of their work environment and know the risks that come with certain work tasks. Also, taking care of your overall health — eating a healthy diet, staying in shape with exercise, having a good balance between work and play and getting enough sleep — is important preventative maintenance that can minimize work-related injuries.
For more tips and information, visit the following websites:
Occupational Safety and Health Administrationhttp://www.osha.gov/SLTC/ergonomics/index.html
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention—Ergonomics:http://www.cdc.gov/od/ohs/Ergonomics/ergohome
National Institutes of Health—Industrial Ergonomic Information:http://www.nih.gov/od/ors/ds/ergonomics/shops.html
UMHS MWorks http://www.med.umich.edu/mworks/
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