Your Restarting Work Toolbox

06/01/2020

As many industry employees head back to work post-pandemic, it’s important to know how to prevent the risks that lead to musculoskeletal disorders (MSDs). For the industrial worker who works a physically demanding job, the absence of activity, for even a short while, can put him or her at a higher risk of injury.

Why should you care about musculoskeletal disorders?

• MSDs are painful disorders of the muscles, nerves, tendons, ligaments, joints, cartilage, or spinal discs.
• They progress over time. If you’re consistently using a workstation that isn’t designed to fit you and are exposed to risk factors like awkward postures, you are well on your way to developing a painful MSD.
• MSDs such as back strain and carpal tunnel syndrome account for one third of workplace injury and illness costs.
• The bottom line: MSDs are painful. Ergonomics—designing the workplace to match people’s capabilities—can help.

To ease the transition back to work, we’ve collected everything you need to know  into one spot. These resources have tips and best practices from our board-certified professional ergonomists and will help your industrial athletes work safer and be more productive.

Tips for restarting work

Certified professional ergonomist Bianca Sfalcin outlines what employees can do in these three blog posts:

• Consider the Physical Condition of Workers When Restarting Work
• Tips for Reducing Physical Stress on Workers when Restarting Work
• Restarting Work After COVID-19: 7 Tips to Help Employees Prepare

Certified professional ergonomist Brandon Beltzman encourages employers to consider ergonomics in their restarting work plans:

• Are Companies Including Ergonomics in Restarting Work Plans?

Director of Research and certified ergonomist Blake McGowan presents a complimentary, on-demand webinar, Restarting Work: Optimizing Human Performance.  During this one-hour presentation, you will learn: