Ergonomics and Computer-Related Repetitive Motion Injuries

Office ergonomics and workstation studies are of great value when compared to compensatory injuries. According to the National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke (NINDS), up to 50 percent of injuries in office settings are repetitive motion, back and neck injuries caused by workers sitting in front of computers for longer periods of time.

A repetitive motion injury occurs when a person performs too many repetitions of a motion, such as computer keyboarding, especially in an unnatural or awkward manner. Incorrect posture, twisting or improper placement of the wrists and feet and excessive or prolonged pressure on the joints, tendons and ligaments of the hands, wrists, and arms can result in repetitive motion injuries like carpal tunnel syndrome, bursitis, tendonitis, and ganglion cyst. These, as well as neck and back injuries caused by poor posture or ergonomics, have been common among assembly line workers and packing plant workers for some time. But now individuals who spend long periods of time before a computer are experiencing repetitive motion, neck and back injuries at an increasing rate. And compensatory damages paid by businesses and their insurance companies are also on the increase.

In the November 2007 issue of Human Ecology Magazine, writer Metta Winters' article entitled "Ergonomic Expert Keeps Pace with Computer Challenges" features the work of Cornell University professor Alan Hedge, an ergonomics expert.

Office injuries among computer workers and the resulting damage claims are growing and a clear indicator that workstation studies and ergonomic adjustments are long overdue. According to Hedge, it generally takes 10 to 15 years before repetitive motion injuries develop. Early in the 1990s, he found that workers suffering from carpal tunnel syndrome were in their late 30s to early 40s. In 2007, the average age of onset of carpal tunnel syndrome was the mid-20s and younger. In addition, individuals with back injuries because of poor ergonomics in their workstations are also on the increase. It used to be that heavy lifting accounted for most back injuries. Now such injuries are caused more by people sitting for long periods of time, a common problem for office workers whose primary job is data entry or some other type of computer work.

Hedge is quoted by Winters to say: "Now kids are using computers at age 2, so by the time they enter the workforce they'll already be primed for injuries. This is very serious because an injury can become life-changing; carpal tunnel, for example, is not curable. They'll have to manage this chronic condition for the rest of their lives."

What does this mean for the average employer when work-related back injuries and carpal tunnel syndrome are perhaps the most prevalent, most expensive and most preventable workplace injuries in the country?

Professor Hedge and his colleagues have developed three pieces of innovative ergonomic equipment they hope will be at least a part of the answer: a chair that undulates, a mouse that vibrates, a monitor attached to a movable arm.

An undulating chair can best be described as a chair with a seat that continuously moves in a massaging, wave-like manner. The purpose of the movable seat is to alleviate back pain. Admittedly, Hedge's study findings of the undulating chair were mixed.

A vibrating mouse is intended to signal the user that it's time to take their hand off the mouse and make some adjustment to simply prevent overuse.

The flat screen computer monitor with a movable arm seems to hold the most promise in that users can move or adjust the monitor for personal preference, as well as comfort.

At any rate, ergonomic improvements in office workstations appears to be a greater necessity in today's offices than ever before.

Resources:

NINDS; http://www.ninds.nih.gov/disorders/repetitive_motion/repetitive_motion.htm

Human Ecology Magazine; "Ergonomic Expert Keeps Pace with Computer Challenges" by Metta Winters, November 2007, Volume 35, Number 2