About 10 percent of office injuries are caused by slips and falls. Most happen because of wet surfaces and unanchored rugs or mats. Others are caused by falling off a chair when a person was rocking or sitting down without realizing the chair wasn't in the right place.
Trips happen when you hit an obstruction and lose your balance. Causes include clutter, obstructed views, wrinkled carpet, uncovered cables, drawers left ajar, and uneven surfaces such as steps and thresholds.
Fitness. If the only part of your body you move on the job is your mouse finger, you need to increase your fitness level with exercise. When your body is stronger, you are less likely to fall or suffer strains and sprains.
Lift safely. If you want to move a piece of equipment or anything heavy, don't risk injuring yourself. Ask a coworker to help you.
Electrical. Most office equipment is manufactured with grounded plugs as a precaution (three prong plugs). Never remove the third prong. Overloading electrical circuits and using extension cords can result in a fire.
Bacteria. A study by the University of Arizona found that a desk has far more bacteria than a toilet seat, including plenty of cold and flu germs. Wash hands frequently and keep your desk and keyboard clean with antibacterial cleaners.
Hand and wrist pain. Hands and wrists can become sore with intensive computer use, and the cause may not be carpal tunnel syndrome. Check with your doctor to get relief from tendonitis, which can be treated with splinting and anti-inflammatories such as Tylenol and ibuprofen.
Back, neck and shoulder muscles. Check your computer and chair height so they are appropriate for your work. Chair posture is important, so sit up straight. Take breaks to walk around and stretch your legs.
Eye strain. Microsoft suggests increasing text size to make it easier to read. Look away from your computer frequently to allow your eyes to adjust to different distances. Be sure to blink occasionally to keep your eyes moist. Taking a fish oil capsule every day helps many people avoid dry eyes.
