LCHM Summer 2017 - 22

FEATURE

TO BE MORE ERGONOMIC IN THE OFFICE,
FOLLOW THESE TIPS:

Ask if the physician's practice is experienced in treating injured workers and
communicating with employers.

Use a chair with proper lumbar and arm
support that can be adjusted for appropriate height

It may also be helpful to ask if the office
has a workers' compensation case manager to
better assist you and your employer during
your course of treatment.

Keep your feet flat on the ground

Place your computer monitor or laptop at
least an arm's length away from your eyes
Ensure that your keyboard and mouse are
at elbow height

Avoid slouching and the subsequent
pressure it puts on your back
Remember the "20-20-20" rule: every
twenty minutes look at an object 20 feet
away for 20 seconds
Ergonomics and back pain play only a
small role in the big picture of workplace
safety and workplace injuries. For employers
and employees alike, it is important to
have a thorough understanding of workers'
compensation management and to create
a strong safety culture to help avoid injury.
Unfortunately, injury is often inevitable
and workplace injury can be stressful
for both the employee and the employer.
Follow these three steps to help navigate a
workplace injury:
Report your injury to your supervisor.
Prompt reporting is the first step employees
and employers should be aware of when
injuries occur.

TO HELP PREVENT
BACK PAIN,
FOLLOW THESE
ERGONOMIC TIPS:

Never twist or bend your back and
always try to lift with your legs

Don't be afraid to ask for help when
lifting heavy or cumbersome objects

Keep the object you are lifting close to
your body at all times

Map out a pathway prior to lifting and
ensure that it is free from tripping
hazards or other danger

22 Lehigh County Health & Medicine | SUMMER 2017

With multiple locations in the Greater Lehigh
Valley, OAA Orthopaedic Specialists has been
a dynamic provider of orthopaedic care and
research for more than 40 years. The practice is
comprised of 25 physicians and surgeons who
diagnose and treat conditions related to the
foot and ankle, hand and upper extremities,
joint replacements, physical rehabilitation,
rheumatology, spine and scoliosis, sports
medicine, work injuries, and more. OAA
Orthopaedic Specialists also offers a full line
of services to help companies overcome workers'
compensation issues.


Ensure that you have a good grip on
the item or object you are carrying

If possible, lighten your load or make
more than one trip

STOP LIVING WITH

Appropriately fill out an incident report to
file a workers' compensation claim.
If medical treatment is necessary, seek
medical attention from a physician group
or physician who is on your employer's
physician panel. If you employer does not
have a posted and visible panel of physicians,
then you may be able to pick your own
doctor. Here is some helpful advice for
selecting a workers' compensation physician:

Ergonomics is an important aspect of
our daily lives. Focus on ergonomics during
National Safety Month and let ergonomics
become habitual! It may help you avoid a
preventable injury.

FOOT PAIN
610.434.7000 | www.affc.com

ALLENTOWN
2414 Walbert Ave.

ALLENTOWN EAST
2100 Hanover Ave.

WALNUTPORT
Rt. 145 & Spruce St.

COOPERSBURG
101 S. Main St.
http://www.affc.com
Table of Contents for the Digital Edition of LCHM Summer 2017
