Blue-collar workers are particularly susceptible to repetitive stress injuries due to the constant handling of intensive power tools and heavy lifting. What starts as a dull ache can evolve into a life-altering without proper attention.
If you experience a repetitive stress injury at work, you likely have a workers’ compensation claim on your hands. Nobody wants to be out of work because of a painful injury though, so you can protect yourself by knowing some common types of work-related repetitive stress injuries.
1. Carpal tunnel syndrome
Carpal tunnel is something that can strike construction contractors and office workers alike. Whether you spend much of your day operating heavy machinery with intense vibrations or typing on a keyboard for several hours straight, the strain on your wrist can become a legitimate injury.
2. Bursitis
Repeated strain on the shoulders, elbows, hips or knees can cause a type of inflammation known as bursitis. Relying on your joints to bear heavy objects or lifting above your head can cause this painful condition.
3. Back strain
You might be sick of hearing the phrase, “lift with your legs, not your back,” but the adage holds true as improper lifting can cause major strain or even tearing in your back muscles. Repetitively practicing a poor lifting technique can escalate a minor backache into a major condition with long-term consequences.
If you suffer an injury at work, make sure you tell your employer and the doctor that your injury is work-related. This is very important for your workers’ compensation claim.