Office Ergonomics 101 – Part 2: When you are a sitting duck for health hazards

[#1]

Sometimes a crucial deadline is all it takes to put work above our own well-being. We find ourselves determined to sit down and get the job done however long it may take. However, I was quite alarmed when reading a 2010 report by Ergotron on the repercussions ‘sitting’ has on our life expectancies.

While sitting is an activity that sounds completely innocuous, it is actually one that silently wreaks damage on our physical health. Much to the disdain of many employees, PCs keep us glued to our seats for several stressful hours at a stretch. Our bodies were fabricated to be on the move, and not sit still for extended periods of time. This occupational hazard has been a matter of concern for researchers the world over since several years now, as indicated by the study I have mentioned above.

So, the onus should be on corporations to introduce ergonomic working practices in order to preserve the health of their employees in the long run.

If you really care about your own personal health and that of your resources, you need to have a regime that breaks the habit of sitting. Here are a few ideas that could get you up on your feet instantly:

• Try to take public transport to your workplace and definitely be graceful and give up your seat to the elderly and   disabled. This increases your chances of standing! 
•  Need to talk to your manager/employee? Resist the urge to ping them. Walk up to their desks instead. That way, you can be more personal in your communication as well as get some standing time 
•  Don’t keep your bottle of water at your desk. Make it a point to walk up to the fountain or dispenser and get your fill 
•  Ditch your habit of desk-dining. Try making time to stroll down to your pantry/dining hall and eating in the company of your colleagues 
•  If you’re running a meeting, make it a point to stand and present to your team. Not only will you be perceived as serious about the point you’re trying to make, but it will give you a break from sitting 
•  If you have a nagging deadline, that doesn’t seem to let you leave your desk, stand up while you organize your thoughts in you’re my mind. Fortunately, there are now PCs and accessories (see image below) which allow you to get the job done without slouching in your chair

We hope that you will inspire your colleagues to follow these simple suggestions and literally, stand up for their own benefit!

For more information on how you can ergonomically counter health hazards:

Standing Up for Workplace Wellness

Ergonomic options to choose from

[#2]

Good article. I would add that there is no rule that you must sit to work at all. You can set up your desk so that you stand to type, read/write, or even walk around while on the phone. In fact, if you already have back pain you may be more comfortable standing for most of the day since that puts less compressive force on your low back.

Equipment won't solve the problem -- you can end up working poorly no matter how much stuff you have. As the article stresses, you have to find a different way of working to hold off the negative effects of sitting all day.

Another quick tip: did you know that we do not have any definitive research to show that getting up every hour is what you need to stay healthy? If your body hurts at the end of the day it is a fairly sure sign that you are not moving enough. Try adding a "wiggle" (any body motion that is the opposite of whatever you have been doing) to your regular work routine very frequently, for example, every 10-15 minutes. By adding movement you are distributing nutrients and oxygen to your muscles and joints.

Dr. Naomi Abrams, OTR/L, CEAS

Worksite Health & Safety Consultants

[#3]

Thanks for the piece of advice!