Cost Effective Ergonomics = Reduction in RSI Injury = Health Solutions

Reading a recent article in MONEY magazine (Sept. 2013), it was great to see ergonomics being highlighted.  According to the article, musculoskeletal injury, “costs are out of control”; however, simple prevention tools are available. The goal of ergonomics is to help you create your best posture to be able to work without pain and strain to your…

Stress Reduction in the Workplace ~ Openly Communicate

Stress in the workplace affects productivity.  Whether it is the challenge to work faster, deliver the goods quicker, complete projects on schedule, it can eventually affect the workers mental, emotional and physical well-being.  The other goal is to insure that a workforce keeps working and that jobs are filled.  To do this an approach that…

Are Health Costs Rising With A More Sedentary Workforce

With the advent of technology, is it now a contributing factor to rising health risks and costs to the employer? A recent article posted from the Management Liability Insights Conference in Advisen FPN.  “A decision this summer by the American Medical Association to classify obesity as a disease, instead of a condition, has heightened concerns…

Canadian Study ~ Wellness Programs Work to Reduce MSD’s in the Workplace

A Canadian Government Department was studied for four years on a comprehensive workplace wellness program to reduce the severity of musculoskeletal disorders. The findings were astounding. The Healthy LifeWorks Program evaluated a total of 233 employees. The RESULTS: • Approximately 10% decrease in the 12 month prevalence of musculoskeletal disorders, ranging from 4% hip/thigh problems and 12% lower…

Nurturing Your Over-Used and Stressd out Digits

Statistics from the Bureau of Labor indicate repetitive motion injuries of the hands and fingers are now coming from a referral of constant hammering on your cell phone ~ and may lead to an average of 20 days or more a year away from work.  Your repetitive muscle movements (calling and possibly more than 5000…

Prolonged Standing – Your Safety and Health

Prolonged standing in the industrial workplace has workers performing their job just like an endurance athlete.  The advantage appears to allow the worker to be more mobile and to be able to move around and get more things accomplished.  In theory, it promotes more freedom, efficiency, and productivity. However, based on research, a review of…

Avoid the Health Risks of Too Much Sitting

Over the last several years numerous articles about “The Sitting Too Much”, and sitting for prolonged hours are again coming to light.  Research on the physiologic health risks are piling up.  The research is pointing to a strong association between sitting and chronic disease. “Inactivity physiology — the study of what the body does when…

Sitting ~ A Science

  As we have moved from the age of our grandfathers and grandmothers doing manual tasks, the technological age has created a workforce of people sitting 8-10 hours a day.  The CHAIR has become the culprit where what we sit in, reflects our discomforts. 80% of the American workforce sits at a desk Sit as…

Relax! You’ll Be More Productive

  By Tony Schwartz ~ New York Times ~ Opinion Pages THINK… Is this you rushing to work? Not a minute to spare?  Golden Cosmos THINK for a moment about your typical workday. Do you wake up tired? Check your e-mail before you get out of bed? Skip breakfast or grab something on the run…

Study on Employee Health Behaviors

Self-Rated Job Performance and Absenteeism According to Employee Engagement, Health Behaviors, and Physical Health Merrill, Ray M. PhD, MPH; Aldana, Steven G. PhD; Pope, James E. MD; Anderson, David R. PhD, LP; Coberley, Carter R. PhD; Grossmeier, Jessica J. PhD; Whitmer, R. William MBA; HERO Research Study Subcommittee Abstract: Objective: To better understand the combined…