Finding good workers is half the battle — then you need to keep them healthy and productive. Today about 20% of days of missed work are due to injuries that happen as a result of poor office design. Companies that consider their employees' work environment and how it can affect health and efficiency — known as ergonomics — can potentially reduce workplace injuries.
Most organizations see the frequency of ergonomic-related injuries and costs grow each year. But the simple fact is that people need to perform physical work, whether at a factory, a store or an office.
Statistics from the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) underscore this. For example:
- Work-related musculoskeletal disorders (MSDs) account for one-third of worker injuries and illnesses annually — the most frequently reported.
- Ergonomics-related injuries require more time off than other workplace injuries and illnesses.
OSHA and Liberty Mutual also found that overexertion injuries — lifting, pushing, pulling, holding, carrying, or throwing — cost businesses $13.8 billion every year.
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