Canadian Centre for Occupational Health and Safety/Centre canadien d'hygi¸ne et de sˇcuritˇ au travail
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> What to Avoid while Sitting

 

Why is body position or posture important while sitting?
What should I avoid while sitting?
How does sitting on a chair that is too low affect your body?
How does work at a worktable that is too high affect your health?


Why is body position or posture important while sitting?

Poor arrangement of the workstation encourages an awkward body position. A poor body position or posture can hinder breathing and blood circulation and contribute to injuries affecting people's ability to move.


What should I avoid while sitting?

  • Sitting on a chair that is too high.
  • Tilting the head forward. This helps prevent neck injury.
  • Sitting without lumbar support. This helps prevent back pain.
  • Working with arms raised. This helps prevent neck and shoulder pain.
  • Bending wrists. This helps prevent muscle cramps.
  • Working with unsupported forearms. This helps prevent shoulder and back pain.

Avoid working with unsupported...

  • Cramming thighs under a worktable. This reduces blood circulation.
  • Working with legs dangling. This destabilizes the body causing tiredness.
  • Pressure on an underside of thighs. This reduces back flow of blood and can cause swelling in the legs.
  • Sitting on a chair that has poor support. It can overturn and cause injuries.

How does sitting on a chair that is too low affect your body?

  • It disrupts blood circulation in lower legs, causing swelling.
  • It puts pressure on internal organs.
  • It creates too much pressure on buttocks and causes discomfort.

Avoid sitting on a chair that is too low


How does work at a worktable that is too high affect your health?

  • It prevents use of proper lumbar support and can cause back injury.
  • It over-stretches spine and can cause back injury.
  • It forces the head to tilt forward and can cause neck injury.
  • It stresses shoulders and causes pain.
  • It tires the whole body.
Document last updated on June 18, 1998

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