Disease – A Growing Problem in Offices
The Caretakers 11-17 Canvale Rd Canning Vale Western Australia 6155 Australia 894553444
Employers
across
the
country
are
prioritising
employee
well-being,
recognising that health has a direct impact on the productivity and performance of a company. To that end, they install comfortable office accessories to protect health, as well as their comfort and convenience. Recent studies suggest, however, that these might not always be the best way to promote productivity in the workplace. In fact, many employees these days have what many are calling ‘chair disease,’ which is developed from working while sitting for hours.
The Problem with Chair Disease A study from the Journal of Prevention, Assessment and Rehabilitation showed that chronic pain could develop as a result of sedentary lifestyles in the office. Figures from the respondents show that about74% experienced shoulder pains, 70% had lower back pain and 85% had neck pains for spending more than eight hours a day working in front of a computer. Researchers from the University of Queensland noted that people who sit too long had higher risk of developing certain conditions, including cancer, obesity, cardiovascular disease, Type 2 diabetes and musculoskeletal symptoms. This became even more evident after a survey of nearly 1000 workers across six government departments showed that those who worked primarily using computers experienced the highest level of musculoskeletal injuries. Chair diseases affect company performance and the general economy as a result. In fact, a 2007 study by Access Economics revealed that back pain cost the Australian economy around $34.3 billion in losses due to reduced workplace productivity and the employee need for treatments.
Addressing the Problem Researchers suggest boosting physical activity within the office for employees to reduce, if not eliminate chair diseases. Some of the suggestions include cutting back on internal emails for colleagues who work on the same floor, holding meetings while standing or walking, and setting up work stations that allow for standing. Keeping chairs and desks at the right height and changing positions from time to time may prevent conditions as well. Some companies are also using office furniture that still require activity despite the sedentary work. Their offices have desks that allow people to switch between sitting and standing. Others apply smart chair technology, which tells employees when to change position or alter the chair’s setting automatically.
Conclusion Chair disease will continue to stay as more people use computers and other stationary equipment to perform their jobs. Occupational health and safety measures are necessary to maintain and improve employee productivity. These include environmental adjustments and employing furniture that promote activity in the workplace.
Sources: http://www.thecaretakers.com.au/renovations/commercial/ http://www.smh.com.au/it-pro/business-it/chair-disease-outstrips-workplacedesign-20120828-24xxr.html http://medicalxpress.com/news/2015-06-smart-chair-technology-healthworkers.html