Nearly 29,000 American working adults were surveyed regarding the effects of pain on their work performance. The study included young and old, blue collar and white collar, and men and women. Researchers determined the amount of work time that people lost due to pain, then calculated the costs in lost production.
Thirteen percent of those in the study lost productive work time due to physical pain during a typical two-week period. The average amount of time lost because of pain was 3 to 5 hours a week.
Headache pain was the most common type, followed by back pain, arthritis pain, and other musculoskeletal pain. The study found that actual lost work time accounted for only about one fourth of total lost production. The rest was the result of work slowdown or breaks due to severe pain, while still remaining on the job. Repetitive tasks and handling heavy equipment are major culprits leading to chronic pain.
Researchers calculated that the total cost of lost work time, due to pain, is more than 61 billion dollars a year!
Improvements in equipment design can make a difference. Proper fitting chairs, ergonomic keyboards, adequate lighting, and other design changes can reduce strain, fatigue, stress, and even boredom.
Treating and managing pain effectively is important. If you suffer from chronic pain, ask your doctor about treatment possibilities. |
