When you hear stories about people in Arizona who have been hurt at work, your first guess maybe that they were involved in an accident. However, accidents are only one cause of workplace injuries.

Repetitive stress injuries are another type of injury that you may be at risk of. These types of injuries are the result of excessive strain, repetitive movements and improper support among other things.

Reasons you may be at a higher risk

According to the University of Michigan, there are several reasons why you may be at a higher risk of suffering a repetitive stress injury including if you are overweight or do not exercise regularly. Especially if your job requires physical movement and strength. Other factors that could increase your risks include the following:

• If you have an underlying medical condition.
• If you are using improper techniques for completing your work.
• If you are not taking adequate breaks.
• If you are working in a high-stress environment with unrealistic goals.
• If you refrain from asking for needed accommodations.

Making your workspace functional 

If your job requires you to maintain a certain position or posture for a majority of your workday or if you are repeating the same movements all day long, it is critical that you develop a functional workspace. Customize your area to make doing your work efficient, comfortable and effective. This may require you to work together with your employer to identify which accommodations are necessary for you to be safe at work. If you do suspect that you are suffering from a repetitive stress injury, you should notify your employer right away and file for workers’ compensation support.