Eighty percent of Americans will experience lower back pain at some point in their lives (UNC School of Medicine). Between 4-10 million Americans experience Carpal Tunnel Syndrome annually (American College of Rheumatology). And 86% of all American workers spend most of their time on the job sitting down (US News). These statistics tell a familiar story to anyone who has ever worked in an office— of the problem presented by ergonomic injuries sustained on the job.
Ergonomics is the study of human comfort in the workplace, with the aim of increasing productivity while decreasing the probability of injury. Poor ergonomics often leads to musculoskeletal disorders (MSDs) such as Carpal Tunnel Syndrome, lower back pain, shoulder injuries, eye strain, and tendinitis, among others. MSDs account for an estimated 33% of all workplace-related injuries (Bureau of Labor Statistics) and cost employers between $15-20 billion each year (Occupational Safety and Health Administration). Ergonomic injuries are primarily caused by three factors: forceful exertion, repetitive movement, and poor posture. The good news is that such injuries are completely preventable and usually heal once their cause is removed.
Employers know that investing in their employees’ health is not only good for productivity and reducing medical costs, it is the right thing to do. For these reasons, Alliance Solutions Group (ASG) developed an online course in ergonomics designed to enhance knowledge of ergonomic risk factors in order to protect employee health and add value to companies by reducing medical costs while maintaining productivity. The online Office Ergonomics course is offered at three different levels, and can include an informational lecture on the basics of ergonomics, a self-assessment, a photo analysis of the workspace by a health and safety professional, or a live consultation with a health and safety professional.
To learn more about ASG’s Office Ergonomics course, and how you can protect yourself or your employees from preventable injury, visit https://asg-inc.teachable.com/.
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