Presenter: ‘Fit the work to you’ after 200 ergonomics injuries reported

Mike Stagg, presenting during a Safety Moments session, told staff the workplace should be adjusted to fit workers’ bodies to reduce repetitive-strain and posture injuries. “We’ve had 200 of these ergonomic type of injuries just in the first half of the year,” Stagg said, and he cited about $500,000 in incurred costs linked to those injuries.

Stagg said roughly three-quarters of strains and sprains the organization recorded were attributable to ergonomic factors such as awkward or static postures, repetition and fatigue. “Seventy-five percent of these strains and sprains are as a direct result of some ergonomic issue,” he said.

Why it matters: Stagg said these injuries are common across desk and field work and carry both human and financial costs. He illustrated common risk factors — awkward posture, repetitive motions and low fitness or fatigue — and urged staff to take practical steps to reduce risk.

Recommendations and examples from the presentation included: adjusting workstation height and chair settings so keyboards align with elbow height; raising materials from the floor onto platforms to avoid bending; positioning frequently used tools within easy reach; taking short movement breaks every 30 minutes; and selecting appropriately sized or left-/right-handed tools. On lifting, Stagg said the preferred approach is to get help: “The only proper lifting technique is to get help,” he said, and recommended team lifts when possible.

Stagg explained the “power position” for hand-carrying items — arms close to the body at about 90 degrees with the legs doing most of the work — and recommended breaking repetitive tasks into different activities every 30 to 45 minutes to reduce strain. He used an example of a streets crew member repeatedly turning a shovel to illustrate how repetition causes injuries even when tasks are performed correctly.

The presenter also described how most tools and equipment are designed for people between about 5 feet 1 and 6 feet 2 tall, and encouraged staff who fall outside that range to request adjustments or alternate equipment. He closed by urging staff to speak up if a tool or workstation causes pain: “If you’ve got a tool that you’re using that hurts your hand when you use it, get something else. Speak up and say something,” Stagg said.

The session included a brief chat comment praising the material; no formal actions, votes or policy changes were recorded during the presentation.