Could Your Office Chairs Be Harming Worker Health?

In today’s digitally driven world, the majority of office jobs require employees to sit in front of a computer screen for the best part of the day. The bad news is, sedentary work can have an adverse impact on our health, and having an unsuitable chair only makes matters worse. In fact, sitting down for long periods of time, coupled with poor seating, can have serious long-term effects on our physical and mental wellbeing. This can result in increased staff absence rates and reduced productivity, both of which can damage your company’s bottom line. If you are concerned that your office chairs could be harming your worker’s health, this simple guide should help shed some light on the matter. How chairs can harm your health Standard office chairs can cause workers to adopt awkward postures and place added strain on the back, neck, shoulders, hips and legs. While this may not be a cause for concern in the short term, over time it can lead to a number of chronic musculoskeletal problems and health complaints. In some cases, poor posture caused by sitting incorrectly can result in more serious medical issues such as spinal damage, repetitive strain injury (RSI), arthritis and other joint ailments. Circulation problems and varicose veins can also be triggered by unhealthy sitting habits. One of the main problems associated with inadequate office furniture is back pain. In fact, according to the NHS, backache is the number one cause of long-term worker illness in the UK - and often this problem is caused by unsuitable seating. When a chair does not provide sufficient back support, the natural ‘S’ shape of the spine can collapse to form a ‘C’ shape, adding pressure and tension to the supporting discs and muscles. As a result, your back grows weaker as it is unable to support itself, causing you to adopt a slouching posture. As well as harming your physical health, poor quality office chairs can have a detrimental impact on your mental wellbeing. After all, there is nothing more frustrating than having to constantly shift, bend and stretch all day because your chair is causing you discomfort. Unsafe and uncomfortable working conditions can lead to high levels of stress and anxiety, which can have a knock on effect on concentration, morale and productivity. How serious is it? We’ve all experienced the feeling of a sore back and aching shoulders after a long slog at the office, but recent research has shown that sitting down all day is perhaps more harmful than many people realise. New studies have shown that sitting for just three hours every day can reduce a person’s life expectancy by around two years. However, there’s no need to panic just yet. Luckily, there are plenty of simple ways you can make improvements to a sedentary lifestyle and combat the health problems associated with it. How ergonomic chairs can help As an employer or manager, it is your responsibility to make sure that your staff are provided with comfortable seating that does not pose a risk to their health and safety. When it comes to improving your employee’s wellbeing at work, ergonomic furniture is key. As well as providing high levels of comfort, ergonomic chairs can help encourage a suitable sitting posture. Unlike standard chairs, these user-friendly seating solutions are adjustable, meaning that they can be modified to suit the user’s individual proportions for a more pleasant seating experience. Ergonomic office chairs are usually adjustable by back, tilt, height and armrest. The backrest should be adjusted to provide sufficient lumbar support for the lower and middle back and to imitate the natural curve of the spine. The seat itself also needs to be padded and deep enough so workers can sit comfortably for extended periods of time. In addition, the armrests should be adjusted to the correct height to support the arms during long bouts of typing. The correct way to sit As well as investing in ergonomic furniture, it is important to make sure employees are sitting correctly to improve overall health. If your chair is properly adjusted, your thighs should be at right angles to your body with your knees slightly lower than your hips. To test whether your seat is adjusted to the right height, your arms should be level with the floor and your elbows by the side of your body when you are using the keyboard. This can help to reduce the risk of repetitive strain injury. Your feet should also be flat on the floor and you should try to avoid crossing your legs, as this can cause poor blood circulation. While sitting, your computer screen should be at eye level. If the screen is too low or too high, meaning that you have to bend or stretch to see it, you will need to reposition the height of your chair to avoid neck strain. As a general rule of thumb, everything on your desk should be easily accessible so that you don’t have to reach or bend to use anything. Sitting in the correct position is one of the easiest ways you can avoid injury and reduce strain on your body. While it may be uncomfortable at first if you are not used to sitting properly, it can lead to long lasting health benefits in the future. Encourage activity In addition to having the right seating, it is also important to encourage workers to leave their workstations and have regular breaks throughout the day. Whether it is making a cup of coffee, doing some filing or going for a brief stroll at lunchtime, getting up and out of their chairs can help people to stave off the health problems associated with being too sedentary. Doing exercises at their desks while in their chairs can also help workers to promote circulation and prevent stiffness. By investing in ergonomic furniture to improve your employees’ health and encouraging your personnel to stay active throughout the day, you should be able to enhance morale, reduce absenteeism and boost your bottom line.

February 26, 2016 | View: 388 | Categories: ROOT