Back Safety At Work - Reasons Your Back Hurts

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Basics Of Work Ergonomics

Correct work ergonomics support good posture by adjusting the height of office furniture, such as desks and chairs. All office equipment that is regularly used throughout the day, such as stationary and envelopes, should be positioned within arm’s reach, to avoid straining.

The desktop monitor screen should be positioned at eye level, meaning that your head is not tilted and you are not required to angle your back or shoulders. It is also important to ensure that the brightness of your desktop monitor is not too low and the font size is large enough for you to read without leaning towards the screen.

Finally, with regard to your office chair, remember that your feet should be flat on the floor, your thighs horizontal and your arms should be even with the height of your desk.

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Does Your Office Chair Proper Back Safety?

A supportive office chair is crucial to correct posture and improve back safety. We suggest investing in an ergonomic office chair that will not only maintain good posture, but also provide maximum comfort.

The height of the office chair, the backrest, and the armrests should be adjustable to ensure that you are positioned correctly when seated. The backrest should be around 12 to 19 inches wide. Lower back support is necessary for long working days in the office.

If your office chair fails to provide lumbar support, then adding a cushion to the lower back area of the chair may help improve the seated position to allow for more comfort and support.

Also, if you rotate or turn frequently when sitting at a desk, it may be beneficial to consider if you should avail of a chair that swivels, instead of twisting your posture to rotate.

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Are You Practicing Good Back Safety At Work?

In order to maintain good posture, we must first be aware of unconscious bad habits that often develop when sitting for hours at a time. Proper posture helps avoid serious future back problems.

When practicing back safety in the workplace, ensure that your back is pressed against the back of your chair and your shoulders are facing your desktop monitor. Feet should remain flat to the floor as crossing your legs can restrict blood flow. Therefore, knees should remain at a 90 degree angle.

The use of an ergonomic footrest can encourage proper posture. Your main aim should be to have a relaxed and comfortable posture that is healthy for your body.