It’s not rocket science to know that sitting in one position for too long may cause you a back injury. Whilst we know we are meant to take regular breaks to stretch and walk around, how many of us actually do. I certainly didn’t, until I read a somewhat alarming article about how to stop your office chair from killing you!
The article sites a 2012 study into sitting times and mortality rates in adults, which supported the main message from other research into this area, showing the more time you spend sitting each day, the greater the chance of you dying sooner than those who don’t. This particular study had the sitting-equals-death threshold at 11+ hours a day. Meaning that of the 45 years and older age-group that was studied, those who sat for 11+hours a day had a 40% greater chance of dying within three years, as compared to those who sat for 4 or less hours a day.
Every year we lose over 7.5 million working days in the UK due to occupational back pain and similar musculoskeletal disorders, according to figures from the Health & Safety Executive (HSE). While manual handling tasks have had regulations in place for some time (Manual Handling Operations Regulations 1992) a significant contributing factor looks like workplace ergonomics (the relationship between workers and their environment, and in particular, the equipment they use).
While ergonomic assessments are carried out as standard by larger companies; start-ups, those working from home, hot-desking and co-working spaces are often ignored. Coupled with more people using laptops and tablets (without setting up separate keyboards and screens for optimum height and positioning), the issue of getting a back problem is unlikely to go away anytime soon.
- Back pain is the second most common cause of long-term sickness in the UK after stress.
- Musculoskeletal injury is the biggest cause of absenteeism and related cost to UK Industry
- Health and Safety figures show that an estimated 1.2 million people in Britain suffer work related musculoskeletal disorder. 60% of all work-related illnesses are the result of back, neck or limb problems. Back pain is by far the most common and accounts for 119 million lost days at work
So What Should We Do to Avoid Back Pain?
In terms of countering the effects of having to sit for long periods of time, the best solution is the most obvious – get up and walk around! Set a reoccurring reminder on your computer or phone, to go off every 20-30 minutes and just have a little walk around, even if it’s just to the kitchen to get a drink. Be restless, stand-up while on a call, walk around while having a think, even wiggling your legs while sitting down all help keep the circulation going and burning calories & fat.
But for many of us, sitting at a desk will still account for a large amount of time each day. It’s important that when you are sitting your posture is correct so take a few minutes to read the NHS advice on how to sit properly and check out this short video.
Inadaquate or faulty office chairs can also cause poor posture, which over time can lead to painful muscle injuries developing. It’s important for employers to be particularly attentive to ergonomic issues, if an employee has made their employer aware of a faulty chair and this is ignored then they are not upholding their duty of care to their staff and could be liable for compensation should a back injury occur.
We Can Help
If you have sustained a back injury at work, as a result of inadequate or faulty ergonomics, then you may be entitled to make a back injury claimfor compensation. Our friendly specialist advisors can talk to you about your situation and see if you have a valid genuine compensation claim. There is no charge for this service and you are under no obligation to claim with us.
If You Have a Genuine Claim, Contact a Genuine Company
May I Claim, is a trading name of R Costings Limited and our CRM number is 25770
If you’ve had an accident that wasn’t your fault and suffered an injury - you can trust us to handle your claim professionally.
Call us now on 0800 756 7774 and talk to us to find out if you have a claim - or fill in our Quick Claim form (on the right of this page).
http://info.mayiclaim.co.uk/personal_injury_compensation_claim_news/bid/341016/Back-Injury-at-Work-What-s-Your-Score-on-the-Sitting-Death-Threshold
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