The Importance of Housekeeping

In addition to increased weight, those who sit for long periods of time face an increased risk of premature mortality, heart disease, cancer, obesity and diabetes. They also tend to have poorer posture than those in non-sedentary jobs. Sitting for long periods can also cause back pain.

What's so risky about sitting? When you sit for long periods of time, your lower spine has to support the weight of the upper body. A normal spine has an "s" curve shape that helps distribute the weight throughout the spine. Sitting incorrectly can straighten the curve at the lower (lumbar) region, which puts more pressure on the sitting bones and the spongy disks between the vertebrae. Over time, this can result in compression of the disks. The disks serve as shock absorbers between the vertebrae. When they are compressed or damaged, the vertebrae can rub together, causing pain and damage.

Sitting for a long period of time — even in the proper position — will still strain your muscles. This causes fatigue, which will make it harder for you to maintain a correct seated position.

Beyond the back, sitting is bad for the other muscles as well. When you're sitting, the muscles in the lower body aren't contracting regularly, as they're designed to do while walking. This can lead to muscle degeneration. The regular contraction of muscles through walking also aids circulation. When you're sedentary, blood can pool in your legs. This results in problems ranging from swelling to blood clots.

NIOSH, the National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health, created an internal pilot program to explore the use of sit and stand work stations to reduce sedentary work. According to NIOSH, benefits of more frequent standing include:

• Decreases amount of time spent in sedentary work
• Relieves pressure on the lower back, buttocks and legs, and may help reduce compression of the spine from long periods
  of sitting
• Burns more calories than sitting

Possible benefits include:

• Improved energy levels
• Improved cognition
• Increased circulation and better blood flow to the brain and other organs
• Better energy balance and weight management
• Improved bone density
• Better sleep

Back injuries can occur suddenly or gradually. Caution employees to be alert for any of these body sensations that could indicate a back sprain or strain injury:

• Aching
• Sharp pain
• Dull pain
• Pain that comes and goes
• Hot, inflamed feeling
• Tingling
• Unusual tightness
• Unusual muscle weakness or fatigue

Corrective action can help prevent a minor injury from escalating into a major one. Solutions vary with the situation, but can include encouraging the employee to get medical attention, providing a properly designed and fitted workstation, referring the employee to a physical therapist for a strengthening regime, and/or encouraging employees to take regular walking or stretch breaks while on the job.

For more suggestions on improving workplace safety, please contact the PCOC Insurance Program department of EPIC (formerly The Leavitt Group) at (877) 860-7378 or, email us @ ProPest@epicbrokers.com.