When many of us think about workplace injuries, we tend to concentrate on specific traumatic accidents – falls, collisions, breaks, and sprains. There is, of course, another type of workplace injury – the kind where onset is slow and gradual. Sometimes, these WEAR and TEAR injuries take years to develop. Unfortunately, these sorts of gradual injuries can be every bit as debilitating as those that arise from sudden, traumatic events.
Can WEAR and TEAR injuries be avoided? Many factors can contribute to a WEAR and TEAR injury, so there is no single method of avoiding or preventing them. Here are three tips, however, that can give you the best shot at steering clear of these disabling work-related conditions.
Tip One: Do All That You Can to Make Your Work Area as Ergonomically Sound as Possible
Recognizing that as an employee, you may not have full control over your workspace, you can still try to arrange things to serve you. Check the level of your computer monitor, for example. If it’s too low, raise it with one or more books. Having it at the appropriate height can take strain off your neck and your eyes. Don’t cradle the telephone between your neck and shoulder. If you spend significant time looking at a screen or huddled over your work, periodically glance at something far away. It will help rest your eyes.
Tip Two: Posture Is Important, and Not Just for Those Who Sit
Remember your mother’s words, “Don’t slouch; sit up straight!” Ergonomics experts tell us that no matter how our work area is arranged, we can help avoid repetitive, WEAR and TEAR injuries by improving our posture. Try to keep both feet on the floor while you sit. Hold your shoulders in an erect position.
Tip Three: Take Frequent Breaks from Your Repetitive Tasks
If you are a construction worker, for example, be sure to ease up periodically. The same goes for those in offices. You’ll likely find that you can get more – not less – done if you pace yourself. If your arms ache or tingle, gently shake them. If you sit for significant periods of time, get up and walk around. Alternatively, if you’re on your feet a lot, take a load off from time to time. One of the real keys to avoiding repetitive, WEAR and TEAR injuries is to switch up your activity level a bit in order that the monotony and routine be broken.
You Work Hard; Now Let Us Work Hard For You!
Have you experienced pain in your lower back, your arms, or your wrists? Have you developed shoulder or knee pain? You may be suffering from a WEAR and TEAR injury. While such claims are not always easy to establish, at Petro Cohen, P.C., we have both the skill and experience required to help with your case. We have helped many hard-working folks like you who have given years to their jobs only now to find out that they have sustained a gradual, repetitive injury.
Call or contact Petro Cohen, P.C. for a free consultation. Talk with a hard-working New Jersey workers’ compensation lawyer to find out how to recover money to pay for your medical treatment, physical therapy, and lost earnings. We can be reached by phone at 888-675-7607, or complete our online form. We look forward to discussing your situation with you.