by Colleen Kelly
During my time as the Spokeswoman for the WorkCover Authority of NSW, I had to report on countless catastrophic injuries. Burned into my memory are photos of mine collapses and crane-falls on building sites, and as a “farm-girl,” these cases felt personal: I imagined my father out in the paddock – on his old Massey Ferguson – without a roll bar. This fuelled my determination to study protective rollover bars on heavy machinery—a measure that eventually became law in NSW. It took 18 months of late nights, (and lots of decent coffee), to analyse the data from the entire state, and present an actionable report to the Authority’s Board, but the conclusion was clear: roll-bars save lives.
When there’s a clear dangerous workplace problem like this, and a viable solution, it was our solid data (and the ability to defend it) that led to legislative change. In addition, for critical and strategic thinkers like me was the question: who would be the first to market with a roll bar in compliance with the new regulations, capture the new market, maybe even franchising the technology, and leave competitors in their wake?.
When I had such blatantly visible problem to solve such “driver protection in a catastrophic roll-over”, the solutions were relatively simple.
However ..
“Silent” injuries, such as those from excessive sitting, still trouble me because these injuries develop gradually, yet severely impact health over time. It can be a lawsuit waiting to happen.
Boosting Workplace Productivity through Ergonomics
Recent studies highlight that ergonomic improvements in the workplace can substantially enhance productivity. By minimising physical strain and discomfort, employees are able to concentrate more effectively on their tasks, leading to improved efficiency.
One significant study by Robertson & Huang, 2020 demonstrated that ergonomic interventions, such as adjustable seating and desk design, can lead to sustained improvements in worker performance and job satisfaction.
However, you don’t need to spend years in one of my old lectures where I spoke on both biomechanics and safety as an Adjunct Professor of Sports Biomechanics – you already know the answer – employees that move more, make more. However, it’s way more than that…
Beyond Productivity
The impact of ergonomics extends beyond productivity to encompass many more health risks:
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- Musculoskeletal Disorders: Adequate ergonomic design reduces the risk of back pain and repetitive strain injuries (Smith & Johnson, 2022). Sitting for too long can cause back pain and repetitive strain injuries (Cohen et al., 2010).
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- Cardiovascular Health: Implementing sit-stand workstations can mitigate the risks associated with prolonged sitting, including heart disease (Thompson & Miller, 2023).
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- Metabolic Effects: Improved workplace ergonomics contribute to better metabolic health by encouraging movement and reducing sedentary time (Davis & Lee, 2023).
Fun Fact
Did you know Leonardo da Vinci preferred standing while painting and writing? He believed it boosted his creativity and productivity!
Small Changes, Big Benefits
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- Ergonomic Assessments: Tailor workstations to individual needs to reduce discomfort (Robertson et al., 2013).
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- Regular Breaks: Encourage employees to take short, frequent breaks to stand and stretch (Pepera et al., 2014).
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- Standing Desks: Offer standing desks to promote varied postures (Chau et al., 2013).
Executive Recommendations
To foster a healthier workplace and improve productivity and the bottom line, and protect yourself from lawsuit, consider these recommendations:
- Conduct regular ergonomic evaluations and adjustments of workstations.
- Implement a policy of frequent breaks to encourage movement
- Provide height-adjustable desks and ergonomic chairs for all employees.
- Offer training sessions on proper ergonomic practices.
- Incorporate stretching and mobility exercises into the daily routine.
- Facilitate a workplace culture that values and prioritises physical activity.
- Utilise technology to remind employees to take breaks and adjust postures.
- Review and update ergonomic policies regularly to include the latest findings.
- While you might not work in an environment where you can host monthly “Olympics” with silly hats and prizes, you can adapt to fit your workplace environment, for example: I can’t imagine a group of barristers tangled up in a “team-building” game of “Twister” on the floor (more likely they’ll end up in a tangle of lawsuits!). Still, getting people ‘up and moving’ is fantastic for health, productivity, and the bottom line. Plus, it might keep your organisation safe from lawsuits, unless, of course, your barristers get sued for turning their “team-building Twister” into a full-contact sport. 🙃
- and my personal favourite: take meetings while you walk, or meet for coffee down the road, just get up and move! The longer you’re at your desk, the less productive you are.
THE STUDY THAT FORGOT THE COFFEE
Grunseit et al., 2013 boldly explored the concept of treadmill desks—claiming they increase productivity. But let’s be real here – scientists love our big, universe-probing questions, so my question on this study is: “How do I power-chug my coffee without turning my keyboard into a caffeine slip ‘n slide (…a WHS issue, lol) while jogging through emails?” For me, this study lands solidly in the “yeah, right, good to know” bin. Considering this “treadmill revelation” has been gathering dust since 2013 and our chairs haven’t evolved into running shoes, it seems treadmill desks aren’t exactly sprinting onto HR’s budget wish-list. (When I said “I’ll achieve my personal best”…I meant ME, not the DESK! I’m afraid it might outrun me!).
WHERE GO NEXT:
While research on treadmill desks might not be for me…for the latest scientific research material regarding the impact of excessive sitting on health and productivity, I rely on scientific sources such as:
- PubMed (https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/):
A resource from the U.S. National Library of Medicine that provides access to a vast database of biomedical literature. - Google Scholar (https://scholar.google.com/):
A freely accessible web search engine that indexes the full text or metadata of scholarly literature across various disciplines. - ScienceDirect (https://www.sciencedirect.com/):
A leading full-text scientific database offering journal articles and book chapters.