Take a Stand on Ergonomic Hazards

Intro: CCOHS is situated upon the traditional territories of the Erie, Neutral, Huron-Wendat, Haudenosaunee and Mississaugas. This land is covered by the Dish With One Spoon Wampum Belt Covenant, an agreement between the Haudenosaunee and Anishinabek to share and care for the resources around the Great Lakes. We further acknowledge that this land is covered by the Between the Lakes Purchase, 1792, between the Crown and the Mississaugas of the Credit First Nation.

Ashley: Hello and welcome to Health and Safety To Go, a CCOHS Podcast.

Hi Chris! Question for you: What do nurses, retail salespeople, hospitality workers, cashiers, machine operators, and assembly line workers all have in common?

Chris: Hi Ashley! Hmm. Give me a minute

Ashley:

Time's up! The nature of their work keeps them all on their feet, standing for long periods of time.

Chris:

I've worked in a few of those jobs before. Standing for a long period of time can be painful! My feet hurt just thinking about it.

Ashley:

Me too! While standing is a natural human posture, it can become a health hazard if a worker has to remain on their feet regularly, or for extended periods of time, without getting the chance to regularly change positions or walk. This prolonged standing can lead to sore feet, swollen legs, and varicose veins. These are health effects which many people typically associate with sitting.

Chris:

It can also cause other issues such as low back pain, stiffness in the neck, and general muscle fatigue. Over time, it can even develop into rheumatic diseases due to tendon and ligament damage.

So, how can workers who stand for prolonged periods of time avoid injury?

Ashley:

Well, eliminating hazards at the source is the most effective solution, but with standing, that might not always be possible, and eliminating standing may even be hazardous in some situations.

As part of an ergonomics program, solutions should focus on improving work design, adjusting work practices, and providing protective equipment. Employers should also provide education on the signs and symptoms of musculoskeletal disorders including what to look for and how to report discomfort early. The trick is to ensure we don't create new hazards when implementing controls.

Chris:

So true. Speaking of improving workplace design, it isn't the goal to eliminate the need to stand on the job completely, since switching from standing all day to sitting all day can still lead to health effects. But instead, the goal is to have a well-balanced position.

Ashley:

And what makes a position well-balanced?

Chris:

A well-balanced position is one that workers have a variety of tasks that allow for changing body positions and include walking, sitting, and standing activities that are distributed throughout the work shift. Think of a well-balanced position like a well-balanced meal - there's a little bit of everything.

Ashley:

So essentially, you aren't doing one task or in one position for too long?

Chris:

Exactly.

Ashley:

So, what if you do need to stand all day? I've heard of proper sitting posture, but what's proper standing posture?

Chris:

According to Harvard Medical School and other experts, a good standing posture at work means the worker's chin is parallel to the floor, their shoulders are even, spine is neutral and straight, with no flexing or arching, their abdominal muscles are braced, their hips are even, and their body weight is evenly distributed between two feet.

Ashley:

That makes sense! Even for work that requires standing only, employers should provide a seat to allow the worker to sit down occasionally - whether it's in a break room or in their workstation. There are also alternative stools and standing seats that may be considered for people who are required to stand in one place.

Chris:

That's really neat. And are these adjustable?

Ashley:

Ideally, seats, working tables and benches should all be adjustable.

Chris:

Adjustable working height is particularly important to have the workstation match the worker's size and their particular tasks.

That means they can carry out their work in a proper body position. When adjusting the working height isn't possible, consider creating a platform to raise shorter workers or pedestals on top of workstations for taller workers.

Ashley:

It's also a good idea to provide built-in foot rails or portable footrests so they can shift body weight from one leg to the other.

Also think about changes you can make to the job design. Effective job design includes doing tasks in a sequence that requires changes in body position and using different muscles. Rotating tasks through members of a team can also make work easier on a worker's feet and body.

Chris:

Plus, education and training on how to stand, move or lift safely should be completed by all workers.

Ashley:

That's right. Employers must inform workers about health hazards in the workplace, including body movements and positions that can cause discomfort and potentially lead to acute and chronic injuries. Training should also address how to adjust specific equipment to the individual's needs.

Chris:

Absolutely. And let's not forget the importance of breaks. Rest periods are essential and should be used by the worker to relax, move or walk around when their muscles are tired or stiff from standing. Encourage workers to report any discomfort experienced during work. You can't correct what you don't know.

Ashley:

And we'd be remiss not to emphasize the importance of proper footwear.

Chris:

Yes. Aching, flat, or tired feet are common among workers who spend most of their time standing on the job. Since the human foot is designed for mobility, maintaining an upright stance is extremely tiring. That's why the right footwear is so important.

The type of flooring is also a huge factor in workers' comfort. Hard floors such as concrete are the least comfortable surface to work on.

The impact of walking on a hard floor is like the impact of a hammer pounding the heel at every step.

Ashley:

So true! For hard floors, choose footwear with thick insulating soles and shock-absorbing insoles. They should also provide adequate arch and heel support and cushioning while still being comfortable. Footwear that fits poorly or needs repair can quickly lead to foot discomfort. So too can pointed toes and high heels! Follow the regulations relating to footwear in your jurisdiction.

Chris:

When thinking about workplace modifications, in general, materials that have some flexibility, such as wood, cork, carpeting, or rubber, are gentler on working feet and should be considered as flooring alternatives, if possible.

Ashley:

If it's not practical to change the floor covering, consider using anti-fatigue mats. These mats absorb the shock from walking and their cushioning reduces foot fatigue. When combined with proper work design and quality footwear, they can really help to improve worker comfort. Just make sure to install the mats properly to avoid tripping and falling.

Chris:

Remember that a well-designed job and workplace is essential to staying healthy and safe. By recognizing the risks associated with standing, employers can address the hazards that can lead to discomfort and injuries in workers whose jobs keep them on their feet.

Ashley:

For more information and guidance on standing at work visit www.ccohs.ca and search 'standing.'

Thanks for listening.