Posted By brian mills Morning guys, Within an organisation that I advise, there is a culture of complaining about the seating arrangements, obviously for DSE users we provide suitable seating; it is the non-DSE seating that we seem to have the most complaints! For non DSE users we provide two different types of seating, these are a basic fabric chair for use in mess rooms, smoking cabins and to sit at desks filling in log book entries, then there are operator chairs, these are swivel type chairs that are adjustable The guys that used these chairs always have a break at least every two hours and fifteen minutes. They have all had Ergonomic training, including posture and training in how to adjust the seating for their individual needs. We know that Ergonomists have determined that the human body cannot remain static for long periods of time. To remain fresh, alert and efficient, the body must make small but constant movements to eliminate muscle fatigue. So that the job they do they can either stand or sit. I have a copy of HSG 57 and intend to address the problem using that. My question is has any of you guys got a seating policy or some ideas how to manage the constant complaints coming form the workforce?, my idea of addressing the matter is to compile a report stating how our seating arrangements work and then rolling it out to staff, in the hope of addressing everybody’s concerns. Please feel free to e mail me direct Regards Brian

Posted By brian mills Sorry Heather, The compliants are lower and upper back aches, from middle aged staff. the work is serving members of the public from a Booth. Regards Brian

Posted By Kieran J Duignan Brian As an ergonomist, I'm sympathetic to your problem and suspect that the slight tone of weary irritation may be attributable to fatigue on your own part. :-) You wrote: "They have all had Ergonomic training, including posture and training in how to adjust the seating for their individual needs. We know that Ergonomists have determined that the human body cannot remain static for long periods of time. To remain fresh, alert and efficient, the body must make small but constant movements to eliminate muscle fatigue. So that the job they do they can either stand or sit." If they had appropriate ergonomic training, they should have learned about the need for periodid rest and appropriate exercise as well; the MSD risks arise from 'static' muscular loading which can occur standing or sitting. You make no mention of this nor about the difficulties that many people have in maintaining safe working postures (as you can see almost every night there is a discussion panel on television: if you turn the sound down, youl could use them as teaching material on how to injure your back at work. You also make no mention of stress which may well be affecting their postures. Sadly, it is not unusual for otherwise competent safety professionals to close their eyes to the evidence of stress influencing MSDs where they assess risks. Yet Wilson's LOAD model of cumulative muscular tension and fatigue (along with recent research by Jason Devereux at the Robens Institute of Health Ergonomics) published by the HSE highlights the correlations between psycho-social stress and MSDs. Here are practical suggestions: 1. Train them to do 'pause gymnastik' brief exercises sitting and/or standing and ensure they have an agreed number of minutes each day to do them 2. Provide professional ergonomic training in behavioural observation of their postures so that they can give each other factual feedback about once a month on their work postures. 3 Conduct a survey of work-related stress and implement change in accordance with the findings. If you would like a copy of my handout materials on this, you are welcome to email me.

Posted By brian mills Thanks Paul, We have addressed the leaning forward and twisting problems with Ergonomic training from qualified therapists. regards Brian