A person whose efficiency on the job is affected or who is injured on the job cost the company money through lost time and wages. When the injury happens to be repetitive stress injury, the company could potentially lose a great deal of time due to possible physical therapy sessions along with the limited mobility of the employee.

For solutions to this problem, many companies will hire consultants who can teach people job line posture - how to sit, stand, and work correctly without putting too much strain on certain body parts. Simply through proactive employee education on repetitive stress injury, companies can time and save money by reducing RSI related faced at work.

Keeping your body relaxed and not repeating motions all day long is the most straightforward approach to prevent injury.

Ergonomics involves observing how a person sits, stands, and performs their work routine throughout the day. Once a person and their work routine has been observed, they may be counseled and trained to correct certain aspects or behaviors of their day such as taking longer breaks during the day, not resting wrists on the desk, and maintaining correct posture during the day.

Many companies are investing in educational seminars for their employees where they will learn how to make their workspaces more ergonomically correct so that they minimize the risk of injury to themselves.

Even though people will ultimately have to repeat tasks throughout the day, being able to stretch, take short walks, and leave their computers or work stations will help reduce the number of injuries.

The subsequent pain associated with repetitive stress injury can be very painful and can last indefinitely once the injury has occurred. If you suspect a chronic pain may be associated with RSI you should consult with your doctor before the pain becomes unbearable.

The role of ergonomics in the workplace is to educate and to help people learn for example how to type without hurting one’s joints and developing carpal tunnel syndrome. An example of ergonomics for this is the use of pads under the wrists. This will keep the wrist straight and comfortable during the workday.

As you can imagine ergonomics is big with office furniture - there are many pieces of office equipment that people can use when working at a desk all day long. Floor mats, a chair that supports the back, and pads for wrists and arms will make the workplace safer and more relaxing.

For those who work in factories or warehouses, ergonomics can be used to teach proper lifting techniques, loading procedures, and standing posture. People who work in these types of jobs have to stand for long periods of time. Because of this, proper footwear is a must. Comfortable shoes, stretching during the day, and taking frequent breaks will help prevent repetitive stress injury and will also keep people alert while on the job.

Prevention is the best insurance against repetitive stress injuries and ergonomics is the best way to help prevent injury while on the job. For the individual - by engaging in and practicing good job habits, you will be able stay healthy and not miss as much work during the year. While for the business, although there is some upfront costs associated with ergonomic training and education for the employees, the cost is more than recouped down the road with more productive less absent employees.