Not only does this debilitating condition impair work performance and productivity, it can be very costly from provisions of pain and anti-inflammatory medication, doctor office visits, treatment of physical therapy, and sometimes surgery. Additionally, the effected employee loses time off work.
An Interview.
I had the opportunity to interview a coworker that fell victim to poor ergonomics risk management. It was Michelle's job to type the nursing "485- paperwork all day. Michelle said she started having tingling sensations in her fingertips. The symptoms then progresses to numbness and shooting "needle-like- pains from her elbows to her fingertips. She stated that at times, it felt like she was unable to get a good grip on items when trying to pick things up. Finally, each time she would attempt to type, she would get terrible pains in her hands and wrists that would travel to her elbows. Michelle eventually did in fact require surgical intervention to relieve her of her symptoms (personal communication, 2003). .
Before her return to work, the director of the agency was required to have Michelle's workplace evaluated for ergonomic correction. In the meantime, Michelle was initially responsible for the cost of her medications, doctor's office visit expense, co-payment fees for her surgery, and co-payments for physical therapy. .
In the end, the agency had to cover all expenses incurred from the poor ergonomics of her workstation. The agency had to reimburse Michelle for all expenses incurred including the ongoing physical therapy for rehabilitation, time loss from work, and the redesign of her workstation. If the agency had an appropriate risk management program established for employees' workstations, the employee would not have had to endure any infliction contributed to poor ergonomics. The agency would have saved money overall from workers compensation claims as well as payment made to temporary staff personnel that had to be hired to assume Michelle's duties until she was able to return to work.
