Your Ergonomic Rights in The Workplace
In 2001, the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) had an ergonomic regulation passed which addressed repetitive motion injuries, such as carpal tunnel syndrome and tendonitis. The ergo regulation was a victory for employees who lacked legal protections against repetitive strain injury, also known as RSI, and also protected from other hazardous work conditions. The business community opposed these ergonomic standards and argued that the costs would be extraordinary.
OSHA regulations puts pressure on employers to address such work conditions that is known to cause musculoskeletal disorders (MSD) and requires that employers provide employees adequate protection if a problem has been identified.
Employers are now required to distribute information of RSI injuries. If an employee reports problems, the employer determines if the injury is job related. In worst-case scenarios, if the employer needs time off of work, the employer provides the employee with 90% of their wages, 100% for 90 days and musculoskeletal disorder consultation.
Unfortunately for the employee, the company does not require the employers to pay for medical treatments, such as physical therapy, medication, or surgery. If the problem continues, the employer must reduce certain job hazards through an ergonomics program, which may include management leadership/employee participation. This usually covers training, and evaluations.
Repetitive Stress Injuries cause over 34% of lost workdays and cost employers close to $20 billion dollars annually in workers compensation claims. In the long run, this program will reduce the risk of employees injuries and will save employers $9 billion dollars a year from medical costs and workers compensation claims.
The smaller businesses are the ones that are hit the hardest by the ergo regulations due to high costs in consultants and expensive experimental equipment.
College students have also been suffering from RSI. Schools are beginning to take notice and realize the need to provide ergonomically correct equipment for computer labs and for administrative staff.
It’s been shown in studies that children adopt better posture when using ergonomic equipment on computers. Schools tend to place monitors and keyboards too high and do not provide rests for the wrists or palms. Young students should not use the computer for longer than a half hour at once and should take breaks in between these times.