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Workplace injury prevention requires training and a safe work environment, but technology can also play a role. Recently, the Food and Drug Administration cleared a product used for workplace injury prevention. The product was initially developed in Australia, and it has seen use in fields such as retail, warehouse work and mining.
According to the creators, the product works by attaching to the clothing of workers and tracking movement-related risks throughout work shifts. For example, if a worker attempts to move in a way that puts too much strain on the muscles or joints, the software used by the product will make recommendations on how to avoid a musculoskeletal injury.
If a worker bends down improperly to pick up a box of electronics, the software used by the product would register it and tell the worker a safer way to handle the heavy item.
Workers in the nursing and healthcare industries, firefighters, warehouse workers, construction workers and other jobs that have a high rate of musculoskeletal injuries could use the product.
Musculoskeletal injuries cost the workers’ compensation system $80 billion a year in the United States.
Where Can Workers With Musculoskeletal Injuries Get Help?
In the past, we have written about the effects of musculoskeletal injuries in fields such as nursing and construction. In some cases, the injury will be severe and some people might be unable to return to work.
Fortunately, workers have options if they are hurt by musculoskeletal injuries and workplace accidents. Workers’ compensation or disability benefits might be options that injured workers can pursue. Contacting an attorney can allow injured workers more time to focus on recovery, and less time to worry about filing workers’ comp paperwork or meeting deadlines.
Larrimer & Larrimer, LLC – Columbus Workers’ Comp Attorneys