When you think of workplace injuries, the first thought to run through your mind might involve the type of injuries that happen suddenly and are immediately apparent. Not all job injuries are acute. Many workplace injuries develop over time from repetitive motions. If you have a job in the Glendale area that requires you to perform certain movements repetitively, make sure you are using the proper techniques to prevent muscle and tendon strains, soreness and discomfort that can occur from overuse.
According to Insurance Journal, repetitive motion trauma is a leading cause of workplace injury for workers. Common types of repetitive stress injuries include the following:
- Carpal tunnel
- Tendonitis
- Bursitis
- Rotator cuff syndrome
- Stenosing tenosynovitis
Many of these injuries are preventable when both workers and employers take proper preventative measures. Employees should take frequent breaks, so they can stretch and relax their bodies after performing repetitive tasks. If their job requires them to use computers, they should look away and focus on distant objects periodically to keep their eye muscles from becoming strained and fatigued.
Employers should evaluate employee work areas to ensure they are ergonomically equipped to reduce musculoskeletal strain, injury and the number of repetitive motions workers must use to perform their jobs. They should also provide ongoing workplace safety training to keep employees informed about the steps they can take to identify potential hazards in their work environment to avoid injury.
Workers who develop repetitive stress injuries may qualify for workers’ compensation. However, they must prove there is a direct link between their injuries and work duties and environment.