Avoiding Knee Injuries in the Workplace

Knee injuries are the second most common work-related accident. Damage to the knee can be the result of overuse over time or it can be caused by a single traumatic incident such as sudden fall, twist, or turn resulting in injury to the knee.   
    
Fortunately, there are steps that can be taken to prevent and reduce the incidence of injuries and strain to the knee by using these following tips:

• Avoid unnecessary shock to the knee caused by jumping off of trucks or using the knee as a hammer, etc. Use ladders for access and exiting and utilize task-specific tools for applying impact.
• When walking, avoid sudden stopping, twisting, or changing of direction. Similar to high-risk sports such as basketball, football, and skiing, these motions are associated with high risks of knee damage in the workplace as well.
• OSHA recommends the use of knee pads when working in a crouching or kneeling position. Pads assist in distributing body weight evenly, taking pressure off the knee. Both pads and portable cushions serve to pad, insulate, and distribute pressure across a broader portion of the knee. Use of pads is particularly beneficial on surfaces that are irregular, cold or where hard or sharp items might dig into the knees.
• Knee supports can also be an effective way to add stability and allieviate pressure on the knee in jobs requiring long periods of standing and/or walking.

Using the above tips, and a little caution, will keep injuries and lost time at work at bay.