How do we use Engineering, Ergonomics and Exercise combined with onsite coaching to provide work-related shoulder pain relief?
EHS professionals know that shoulder pain is one of the most common complaints from team members on the job. In fact, according to an analysis of Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) data by the National Safety Council (NSC), injuries and illnesses affecting the shoulder (including clavicle and scapula) accounted for 120,370 cases involving days away from work (DAFW) in 2021-2022.
So how do we actively help prevent work-related shoulder pain? It starts with understanding the stress a specific job function or task is placing on the body and then taking action to reduce that stress.
That is exactly where we started during a recent assessment of a client’s team members experiencing shoulder pain after running a sonic welding workstation. At first glance, the task looked simple: repetitive seated bench work with arms reaching forward to handle parts. But our AI-enabled 3D motion capture technology revealed the real story. Operators were leaning and reaching just outside their safe working zone for hours at a time. Shoulder blades slid forward, elbows flared out, and rotator cuffs carried the load.
The risk score was calculated at 42 out of 100 (50 is the high-risk threshold), a clear sign the task needed attention.
Engineering Out Work-Related Shoulder Pain
We started where we so often do for risk mitigation, with our trademarked 3E Process™ that combines Engineering, Ergonomics and Exercise.
In looking at the Engineering of the task, two simple adjustments made a big difference:
- Moving the equipment closer to reduce operator reach
- Raising workstation chairs to bring elbows down and shoulders back
These minor changes had a major impact. Operators now sit taller, work in a stronger position, and take stress off their rotator cuffs.
The result? A 52 percent drop in overall shoulder injury risk with upper body peak stress reduced by 66 percent.
Ergonomics in Real Time
After implementing solid Engineering mitigations, we then shift to the second “E” in our 3E process: Ergonomics. To keep shoulder injury risks from creeping back in, our team worked hands-on with operators to reinforce better posture and movement strategies. Onsite coaching meant real-time corrections, visual cues, and easy-to-remember tips that keep shoulders in the safe zone.
When you have spent years doing a task one way, small changes can feel foreign. Having a BIOKINETIX specialist on the floor makes all the difference in getting those changes to stick.
Exercise: The Last Layer of Protection
Even with the best engineering and ergonomics, bench work still puts the shoulders in front of the body for long periods. This is where the final “E” becomes vital: Exercise.
Instead of letting that stress build up, our medical professionals teach short, strategic movements that reset posture and give the body the relief it needs. Curious about the simple movements we use to fight shoulder fatigue and tension? Get in touch with our team to learn more.
Let’s Talk Work-Related Shoulder Pain Relief for Your Team
By combining Engineering, Ergonomics coaching, and targeted Exercise, our 3E Process™ turned a high-risk job into one that employees can perform without building the kind of stress that leads to work-related shoulder pain and lost work time.
For this client, the improvements were clear:
- 52 percent overall risk reduction
- 66 percent reduction in upper body peak stress
- Employees working in a safer, more sustainable posture
If shoulder soreness, fatigue, or injuries are slowing your team down, it is time to look at your workstations and your approach to risk. Get in touch with us today at info@BIOKINETIX.com to start reducing risk and building a safer, stronger workforce.
