Contrary to popular belief, work-related injuries do not only occur in physically demanding jobs such as construction. In fact, many injuries occur in the office due to repetitive, everyday activities that cause trauma over time. These overuse injuries, like carpal tunnel syndrome, can be difficult to address immediately as their onset is quite gradual. However, such work-related injuries are often serious, causing absenteeism in the workplace, and creating expenses from workers’ compensation.
While 374 million non-fatal work-related injuries occur each year, almost 90 percent of them are in the back and neck. Substandard ergonomics or poor posture can contribute to chronic neck and back pain. Repetitive motions and hours spent on the computer can contribute to carpal tunnel syndrome, marked by burning and difficulty gripping objects. Back injuries, such as herniated discs or pulled muscles, may arise from poor posture, improper lifting of heavy objects, or missteps on a wet office floor. Both herniated discs and carpal tunnel syndrome can cause nerve pain, sometimes resulting in neck pain and headaches. Overall, work-related injuries most commonly arise from repetitive motions, falling objects, falling, and overexertion.