Avoid Musculoskeletal Pain With These Work-From-Home Tips

Avoid Musculoskeletal Pain With These Work-From-Home Tips

The Hartford Staff
Poor posture, a computer too high or low – it all adds up when you’re working from home. Follow these ergonomics tips to get it right.
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05/09/2021
Trabajo Safety & Preparation
If you’re working at a desk all day, it’s a good idea to pay attention to ergonomics. Why is this important? Over time, repeated stress to your body can cause musculoskeletal injuries like:
 
  • Carpal tunnel syndrome
  • Tendinitis
  • Rotator cuff injuries
  • Muscle strains
  • Lower back injuries
 
While you may think these injuries only occur in offices, that’s not true. You’re at just as much risk working from home as you are at your desk in the office. To get started improving your working conditions, read through our infographic below for useful ergonomics tips and tricks:

WFH Ergonomic Health: 7 Ways to Avoid Text Neck (And Other MSDs)

home office ergonomics ergonomics working from home work from home ergonomics

Whether standing, sitting or a mix of both, how your workstation is set up can impact your health. Here’s how:
Why is Ergonomics Important?
One Third
of all private industry injuries were from sprains, strains and tears1

12 Días
spent away from the job due to injury from an MSD by the average worker2

1.8 Million Workers
report musculoskeletal disorders (MSDs), such as carpal tunnel syndrome, tendinitis and back injuries each year3

600,000 Workers
miss work every year because of ergonomic injuries4

45 to 64 Year Old
workers had the most injuries reported5

Approx 70%
of an office workers’ time is spent sitting.6

Over 80%
of U.S. jobs are predominantly sedentary, putting office workers at increased risk.7

1 in every 2
adults has an MSD.8


Improving Ergonomics in Your Workspace
To avoid injuries during your workday, follow these ergonomic tips:

home office ergonomic tips
  1. Position your feet flat on the floor. If you’re using a footrest, angle your feet slightly.
  2. Set your keyboard at about elbow height.
  3. Make sure the top 3rd of the display is at eye level. At home, use a laptop holder or even books to achieve this.
  4. Position your monitor directly in front of you to avoid twisting your back and neck.
  1. Hold your wrists flat and avoid resting them on your forearms, desk or on the table edge.
  2. Angle keyboard tilted slightly away from you or flat to reduce straining your wrists while typing.
  3. Take breaks and move around every 30 to 90 minutes to improve blood circulation.


1 Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), "Work Injuries and Illnesses Resulting in Visits to Medical Treatment Facilities," 2018.
2, 5 Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), "Injuries, Illnesses, and Fatalities," 2018.
3, 4 Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA), "Ergonomics: An Overview," 2018.
6 International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health, "Workplace Sedentary Behavior and Productivity: A Cross-Sectional Study."
7 American Heart Association, "Gamifying Accelerometer Use Increases Physical Activity Levels of Sedentary Office Workers."
8 Bone and Joint Initiative USA, "The Impact of Musculoskeletal Disorders on Americans."
The Hartford Staff
The Hartford Staff
Our editorial team spans writers, researchers, product specialists and subject matter experts. We cover the intersection where best practices and business insights meet.

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