From the ArcaMax Publishing, Health & Fitness Newsletter:
http://www.arcamax.com/news/healthtips/s-115048-792258
Most employees spend the majority of the day sitting in their
workstation, being comfortable should be important. When it comes to
proper positioning, sitting correctly and making sure the equipment is
at the right height, is most important. Improper positioning can lead
to serious problems such as carpal tunnel syndrome or tendinitis.
These can make typing, holding paperwork and even using the telephone
difficult and sometimes impossible.
When suffering from the effects of one of the problems caused by
improper ergonomics, a worker cannot usually even perform the most
standard of office tasks. Many new ergonomic office equipment and
furniture features are available and new advancements and discoveries
are constantly being created to help with positioning in the best
possible position.
Carpal tunnel is usually associated with workers who spend a large
portion of their day in front of the computer typing and is thought to
be caused by improper wrist positioning and inability to relax the arm
while using it to type. The mouse can also be placed at an improper
height, forcing the user to have difficulties keeping the arm at the
relaxed position. Tendinitis is also caused by improper wrist
positioning and can be avoided with ergonomic equipment and proper
positioning once installed.
The chair is really the most important ergonomic device in the
workstation as the user spends most of their workday sitting in the
seat and putting stress on the muscles and spine. It is found through
study that the proper sitting position is not truly an upright
position but slightly reclined. In order to keep the proper postion, a
chair with a tilt mechanism, preferably one that can lock into several
positions is needed.
If not seated properly in your office chair, it can cause back and
lower lumbar problems eventually and can be easily avoided if educated
on ergonomics. Carpal tunnel, tendinitis and back pain can be avoided
as easily as paying attention to proper workstation and body
positioning and letting ergonomics take the credit. Educating
employees and ourselves in ergonomic techniques is the first step to
preventing such work related injuries and avoiding problems.