Working in an office may lead to abrasions, muscle strain, eye fatigue and musculoskeletal issues.
When Pennsylvania residents think about dangerous jobs, an office position may not be one that comes to mind. However, the Bureau of Labor Statistics suggests there were 201,800 reported nonfatal workplace injuries for those in the professional and business services industry nationwide in 2015. The industry of management of companies and enterprises had a reported 19,800 nonfatal injuries. The bulk of jobs in both of these industries is in an office so it is a good idea for people to understand the types of injuries that may occur in this setting.
Abrasions
Those who work in an office are in danger of bumping into objects, having items fall on them or getting trapped between two things. For example, if a file drawer is left open, a person may strike their shin on the protruding door. This action may result in a cut or bruise. Some workers may even bump into other people because the items they are carrying prevent them from seeing their path clearly.
Muscle strain
While there may not be big loads that have to be moved in the office, books, computers and files could cause strain to a person’s muscles. Often improper lifting techniques result in overexertion and these may include the following:
- Not squatting to pick up the box or item
- Holding an object with fingers instead of the entire hand
- Twisting while lifting
- Using back muscles to carry the load instead of the legs
- Holding the object too far from the body
Muscle strain may result in bruises, redness or swelling. The injured may even have pain when he or she is resting. While most strains cause a weakness of the injured muscle, a more serious strain could result in an inability to use a muscle for some time.
Eye strain
Many office workers spend most of their day on the computer. While this may not seem dangerous, too much screen time could lead to dry and irritated eyes. Using computers may not result in long-term damage, but the users may start to experience headaches, blurred vision and double vision as a result. As workers get older, they may be at a higher risk for eye strain after computer use because their lenses may become less flexible.
Ergonomic strain
Another danger of the office comes from sitting incorrectly for large portions of the day. Workers may be unable to keep good posture when using chairs, desks and keyboards that are not adjustable. Sitting with bad posture on a daily basis and repetitive motions might lead to a musculoskeletal disorder.<
Constantly sitting with a bad posture could also lead to other health issues. For example, poor leg circulation could lead to varicose veins, blood clots or swollen ankles. Even organs may be affected. People who sit for long portions of the day in may be at a higher risk for colon cancer and heart disease.
The fact is even office workers in Philadelphia may get injured while on the job. If an injury takes place at work, it may be helpful to get advice from a knowledgeable attorney.
