Workplace Posture Can Cause Achy Heads, Shoulders, Knees and Toes

Proper Ergonomic Techniques and Fellowes Office Products Help Minimize Risk of
Injury at Your Desk

ITASCA, Ill., July 23 /PRNewswire/ -- Football training season is in full
swing, leaving many athletes prone to injuries on the field. While football
players recognize the health risks associated with typical activity on the
job, those in a traditional office setting may not understand that injuries
aren't just for athletes. There are many common pains and strains that can
take place at work, leaving both employers and employees at risk.
Workplace injuries, including musculoskeletal disorders (MSD) such as
tendonitis and carpal tunnel syndrome are often painful reminders of the
effects hours of poor posture and awkward motion can have on the body. In
2006, 357,160 cases of work-related musculoskeletal disorders resulted in lost
workdays(1). In addition, costs associated with common pain conditions and
lost productivity in the U.S. are estimated at $61.2 billion per year(2).
While office injuries have become more common, many can be minimized or
prevented entirely through the principles of Ergonomics, or the science of
designing work environments to better fit the capabilities of the individuals
using them. Practicing proper Ergonomic principles at work helps ensure
comfort, increase productivity and reduce health issues such as repetitive
stress injuries, back, neck and shoulder strain and muscular pains.
"Employees are spending more time behind a desk and in front of a computer
screen, making office aches and pains quite common, yet many are unaware of
their cause," said Kevin Butler, board-certified ergonomist and consultant for
Fellowes, Inc. "Daily habits such as slouching, reaching across your desk or
bending your wrists up when you type can unknowingly cause stress on the body
and lead to more serious medical conditions."
Ergonomic professionals, such as Butler, recommend incorporating the
following techniques at work to ensure employees stay comfortable and healthy
from head to toe:
* Eyes -- Sit approximately an arm's length away from your monitor and
position the top of the monitor screen at, or slightly below, eye level.
Take mini breaks every 10 to 20 minutes to rest the eyes from the glare
of the monitor.
* Shoulders -- Keep your shoulders relaxed and in a neutral position as
you type. Keep your elbows close to your sides as you use the keyboard
and mouse. Take a moment every so often to roll your shoulders up and
back to alleviate tension.
* Hands and Wrists -- Keep your wrists straight and in a neutral position.
Keep the bottom of your elbows even with the keyboard height, not below.
Use minimum force while striking the keys and utilize your chair arms
for support.
* Back and Legs -- Adjust your chair so your thighs are parallel to the
floor. Sit back in the seat so that your lower back is supported firmly
by the chair or a support cushion. Place your feet on a footrest to
relieve "pull" on the lower back. Make sure to get up and stretch your
back and legs every hour.

In addition to these recommended techniques, employees should ensure they
have the right office equipment incorporated into their workspace to help
further release tension and stress on the body. Fellowes, Inc. recently
developed a line of Professional Series Ergonomic products designed to
maximize comfort and increase productivity on the job. The line offers a
variety of workspace solutions, including:
* Gliding Palm Support -- The patented Health-V(TM) Channel relieves wrist
pressure to help prevent carpal tunnel syndrome as it effortlessly
glides with the natural movement of the mouse.
* Executive Adjustable Keyboard Tray -- Fully adjustable to promote
neutral hand/wrist position while moving your keyboard and mouse off the
desktop to save space.
* Laptop Workstation -- Offers an adjustable tilt for an optimal viewing
angle to reduce eye strain.
* Back Support -- A two-tiered support system that features mid-spinal
support with memory foam to promote good posture and three lower back
support sections that conform comfortably to the back's natural curves.
* Foot Rocker -- Ergonomically designed to promote comfort and increase
leg circulation while in a seated position.

"Preventing workplace injury is about combining healthy Ergonomic habits
with the right office equipment," said Tim Shipley, senior marketing manager
at Fellowes, Inc. "At Fellowes, we're always looking for ways to maximize
comfort and improve the overall office experience. Our new product line
specifically caters to those areas of the body that are prone to injury,
making it easier to stay healthy at work."
Fellowes Ergonomic products range in price from $26 to $300 and are
available online at Staples.com. For more information on the principles of
Ergonomics and assessing your workspace, visit
http://www.fellowes.com/ergonomics.
About Fellowes
Headquartered in Itasca, Ill., Fellowes, Inc. offers an impressive range
of products to equip the workspace, including paper shredders, binders and
laminators, desktop accessories and record storage solutions. Fellowes, Inc.
owns and operates subsidiaries in Canada, United Kingdom, Benelux, France,
Germany, Italy, Poland, Spain, Russia, Singapore, Japan, Korea, China and
Australia. The company employs more than 2,700 people throughout the world
and expects global sales in excess of $700 million this year. For more
information, visit http://www.fellowes.com.
(1) Bureau of Labor Statistics "Nonfatal Occupational Injuries and
Illnesses Requiring Days Away from Work, 2006" November 2007
(2) Journal of American Medical Association "Lost Productive Time and
Cost Due to Common Pain Conditions in the US Workforce," November
2003;290:2443-2454

SOURCE Fellowes, Inc.

Kristen Kelley, +1-312-729-4297, kkelley@golinharris.com, for Fellowes, Inc.