Every year, we learn more about the dangers of sedentary work routines. People in offices, for instance, are significantly more likely to take time off with back problems than those who spend the day on their feet. This is contrary to what most of us assume.
After all, wouldn’t standing up all day indeed put a heavier strain on the body? Well, in reality, the spine is aligned when standing, and there is less pressure on the lower back. It is when sitting at a desk that we noticeably slouch, slump, and curve our spines to fit mismatched furniture.
The good news is that business owners can introduce small changes which have an enormous impact on employee health, mood, and well-being. Keep reading to find out more.
- The Height of Screens
If the height of a computer screen is not in line with the natural gaze, an employee will have to crane their neck to focus on it. While it might feel like a small irritation to begin with, it can start to cause pain after weeks and months. With a super ergonomic Flo monitor arm, the height of the screen can be adjusted in seconds, so it is a perfect fit no matter who sits down to work in front of it.
- Mastering the Right Posture
If you work with a relatively small team, it should be easy to get everybody together for a class on posture. It is worth giving out clear, practical information because not everybody is even aware that there is a right and wrong way to sit at a desk. The ideal posture is found when a person sits close to the desk (no stretching to reach the keyboard). The upper arms should be parallel to the spine and the hands able to rest comfortably on the table.
- Adjustable Furniture
The problem, particularly for offices, is that everybody has different physical dimensions. Short and tall people should be sitting in the same way, but they need slightly different tools. Rather than searching for the perfect chair for each employee, invest in height adjustable furniture. That way, workers can adjust the settings until they are perfectly positioned. It is healthiest to be sitting no more than twenty inches off the ground.
- No More Craning to See
While it might seem like another trivial detail, setting chair armrests too low is a fast track to neck and shoulder pain. It also increases the likelihood of slouching and an arched spine. Office workers need to place the rests so that their arms are ever so slightly elevated at the shoulder. It lends extra support to the elbow areas and takes pressure off the top of the arms.
- Utilising Back Support
The lumbar support which comes with ergonomic chairs is invaluable. It takes all of that unnecessary pressure off the lower back. The majority of high-quality office chairs do come with lumbar cushioning now, but people do not always use it. They sit perched right at the edge, and this does nothing to help the alignment of the spine. The bottom of the back should be pressed deeply into the back of the chair to avoid slumping.
- Why Ergonomics Is the Key to Business Success
All business owners have a duty of care towards their employees. It is your job to provide them with the tools they need to stay fit and healthy at work. Not only do these tools have a direct impact on physical wellbeing, but they also contribute to greater productivity. If workers are healthy, they are less likely to take days off sick. Ergonomics really is a secret weapon for the modern manager or supervisor.
