The Silent Work Site Accident

Although not often associated with the term “work site accidents”, nearly half of the cases of carpal tunnel syndrome result from repetitive motion or movement involved in carrying out an employee’s duties in the workplace. Unlike the suddenness of a fall or machine malfunction, a repetitive stress disorder, such as carpal tunnel syndrome, develops after long term exposure to a robotic like action or from continually performing the same function over the extended work day.

Probably the most common example a cause of carpal tunnel syndrome is the typist at the computer, whose continual banging of the keyboard and flexing of the wrist causes stress on the carpal tunnel of the wrist until it becomes inflamed and painful. Developing slowly over time, the first indication may be waking in the middle of the night, shaking fingers that appear to have fallen asleep. As the condition progresses, pain, tingling and numbness can extend through the fingers and wrist, and up to the elbow, ultimately requiring surgery.

Some other job related causes are the repetitive movements of the assembly line worker, perhaps picking up, or placing down objects on a conveyor belt all day, or assembling a component, all with the constant similar motion of the hands or fingers. The operating of vibrating equipment or machinery, such as a jackhammer, air gun or drill, causes the same gradual assault on the carpal tunnel area that over time leads to a painful condition.

These types of repetitive actions that silently and slowly develop into painful disorders are just as devastating to an employee as the more dramatic sudden work site accidents. Read more about injuries at work at the www.theaccidentsatworksite.com