Encourage your staff to improve their posture
Do the majority of your workers have that ‘hunched over the PC’ posture?
As a small business it can prove quite easy to ignore the posture of your workforce and, unfortunately, many people do not understand the consequences of a bad posture or even the benefits of a good one.
Let’s take a look at good and bad postures and how yours or your employee's postures could be improved.
A Good Posture
Good posture involves keeping each part of the body in alignment with its neighbouring parts. When standing with a correct posture, it will be possible to draw a straight line from the ear down through the shoulder, hip and knee.
A good posture contributes to an attractive appearance. It will give support and good balance as well as preventing backache and muscular pain.
A Bad Posture
A bad posture includes slouching or hunching forward, hanging the head or allowing the chin to jut forward.
This does more than just impact how someone will look, it can really prove to be a negative influence on many areas of life.
Bad posture can cause permanent changes in the spine, unusual wear and tear on muscles and joints and constricted blood vessels and nerves. These abnormalities can lead to back and neck pain, headaches and fatigue, as well as problems with major organs and breathing.
It has also been recognised to decrease height growth and increase appearance of body fat, increase injury risk and additionally decrease exercise performance.
Correcting a bad posture
There are numerous ways to improve posture. Some would include using a corrective brace, complete exercise programs or visit a chiropractor. Yoga is knows as one of the most effective exercises to enhance bad posture.
Working at a desk
Many people spend hours in front of the computer, which can result in back or neck pain. This pain may be minimised by a combination of:
• Adopting a user-friendly workstation by adjusting the office chair, computer and desk positioning.
• Modifying sitting posture in an office chair.
• Taking stretch breaks and walking breaks if sitting in an office chair for long periods of time.
Sitting in one position all day will cause strain on the muscles that we use which can overextend or inflame over time. It is important that your staff know the correct seating position, especially if they sit there in one place most of the day.
A consistent, comfortable workstation depends on where the computer screen is situated, where the hands and feet are placed, and the kind of office chair.
The correct seating position
The monitor – it should be square in front of the individual. It should be at eye level so that the whole screen can be seen just by moving the eyes. Having to look up or down puts strain on the neck and muscles to the head, leading to headaches.
The keyboard – it should be straight in front of the individual and also the monitor. Wrist should be fairly straight and elbows should be at an approximate 90 degree angle which means the keyboard should be reasonably close.
The mouse – it should be kept close to the keyboard. Lower arms should be about parallel to the desk with elbows just a little lower. Individuals should not let the weight of the arm rest on the underside of the wrist.
The chair – the bottom of the chair should be tilted forward so than knees are lower than the hips. It should be pulled right in and the individual should be sitting back in the chair. This is so that the back and shoulders are kept down, straight and supported. Feet should also be flat on the floor.
The desk – ideally it should be at belly button level with your elbows just below the desktop. The position of the chair will assist this.
How you can help your employees
It may be an idea to put together a document that will inform them of the correct seating position. You could use the previous description and possibly put together a diagram so that they have no excuses to sit badly at their desk.
It may also be beneficial to give them additional tips on how they can improve their seating postures. A mirror placed on the desk is a thought. This will make people aware if they are hunched over, which will make them more inclined to correct it.
Encourage your employees to take one-two minute breaks, about once every hour so that they can stretch. Let them know that you want them to get up and go for a little walk, maybe just to get some water.
The main most advantageous stretches for people hunched over a computer for a long period of time would be to stretch the arms and shoulders, behind and over the head. Allow the shoulder blades to come together.
ConstructaQuote.com recommends having the right kind of employers liability insurance in place in the event that an employee suffers any injuries or long-term problems as a result of issues incurred whilst at work.
Related pages and guides:
Making your office a happier environment
Small business liability insurance
Office Insurance
