Work space design can help prevent WMSD. Another important avenue of occupational medicine is adapting the environment to facilitate work performance. When modifying an environment, often the equipment and tools are the most amenable to change. For a workstation that is designed for precision work the goals are to allow the worker to maintain a straight back, keep the elbows close to the body, and reduce the need for arm extension in front or overhead. To accomplish these goals, several strategies may be employed,
- Where feasible provide a height-adjustable workstation. If this is not possible, then other reasonable avenues include providing work platforms to accommodate shorter workers or alternatively raising the work surface for taller workers
- Ensure sufficient leg clearance to allow the worker to get close to the task to reduce the need to bend at the waist or extended arms forward
- Provide a foot rest for foot support and to minimize the static load on workers’ backs
- Anti-fatigue matting
- Provide chairs or stools to allow work in a sitting position
- Where feasible provide a tilted workstation to minimize the static load on the back and upper body
Another area of concern are gripping forces. To minimize gripping and pinching forces vices can be used to secure the task object. This allows the worker to delay fatigue. Attention should also be given to psychosocial aspects of a work environment, such as job demands and job control, as they may help or hinder return to work and level of functioning within the workplace for those individuals with CTS.
Role of the Occupational Therapist
In the management of CTS, workstation modification is a large part of an occupational therapist's intervention. By adjusting the workstation equipment, such as desks, chairs, monitors, and keyboards, the ideal position of the wrist and forearm can be achieved. This can help alleviate symptoms of CTS as well as prevent further damage and strain. For example, the addition of forearm supports can help to facilitate appropriate posture of the wrist by preventing extension while using a mouse.
Previous ι Next
Role of the Occupational Therapist
In the management of CTS, workstation modification is a large part of an occupational therapist's intervention. By adjusting the workstation equipment, such as desks, chairs, monitors, and keyboards, the ideal position of the wrist and forearm can be achieved. This can help alleviate symptoms of CTS as well as prevent further damage and strain. For example, the addition of forearm supports can help to facilitate appropriate posture of the wrist by preventing extension while using a mouse.
Previous ι Next