Advice for cutting down workplace injuries

Many of our regular readers understand the importance to the North Carolina economy of a robust timber industry, though you might not be as familiar with Pallet Enterprises, a publication focused on news and information for sawmill operators and wood processors.

The magazine recently ran an article by a safety consultant who works with not only the timber industry, but also companies in construction, trucking, agriculture and more. The consultant shared a list of suggestions for ergonomics and work behaviors to avoid that can help reduce the risk of work-related injuries in a wide variety of workplaces.

One of the most common causes of workplace injuries is improper lifting. It can cause painful musculoskeletal disorders that require physical therapy and sometimes surgeries. He writes that some of the activities to avoid include the following:

• Repetitive motions
• Awkward work station positions
• Unnecessary lifting of heavy and awkward items
• Improper skeletal alignment
• Exposure to extreme temperatures or excessive vibration
• Standing for long periods on hard surfaces

He notes that employers can help reduce the risk of musculoskeletal injuries by alternating tasks for employees, following hard tasks with physically less demanding ones. Employers should also aim to eliminate or reduce repetitive motions and awkward work station ergonomics.

The advice can apply to work stations in offices and sawmills, with many spaces in between.

If you have suffered a workplace injury and have been denied workers’ compensation benefits, contact a Charlotte work injury attorney experienced in helping clients get the workers’ comp they need and deserve.