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Posted By BS
Hi All,
Can anyone advise on what the position is with a job which requires standing for the majority of the day that is leading to sore feet and legs.
Is there any particular regulation which would cover this and if they voice their concerns to the management do they have a leg to stand on? (sorry about the pun but I had to)
The job consists of meeting the public as they enter the premises and ensuring the are directed to the appropriate person for dealing with their query.
Thanks in advance
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Posted By Glyn Atkinson
The wonderful risk assessment !
Has this defined the area in which the "greeter" works, and if so , could a provision be made for a high bar stool and small table that could perhaps contain information relating to various departments further on in the chain?
The stool provides a rest place for the greeter whilst not appearing to be sat down on the job. A smooth rising to feet to greet clients should be acceptable to reduce the wear and tear on limbs.
A little more info on the service industry would also set the scene for the thread readers.
Banks could provide services leaflets at the rest station, and supermarkets could have price reduction leaflets on display - there are lots of possibilities to make a rest station useful to the service provider as well as the greeter.
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Posted By EE
Can anyone advise on what the position is with a job which requires standing for the majority of the day that is leading to sore feet and legs.
The job consists of meeting the public as they enter the premises and ensuring the are directed to the appropriate person for dealing with their query.
BS
It seems you've identified an ergonomics hazard - obviously work related and the work requirements are causing pain / discomfort.
Could be something in the Manual Handling regulations, but if not then there is enough ergonomics best practices to give the employees grounds to complain and expect proactive actions to be taken. (Management of Health & Safety Regs - risk assessment etc.)
Possible control measures:
Anti-fatigue matting - if standing in a certain area all day.
Lean-on chairs, that allows the employee to remain upright, but reduces the stresses on leg muscles and lower back
Suitable footwear - padded soles may help
Suitable stockings - as used to prevent DVT, assist the circulation of blood in lower leg / calf -> less fatigue
Hope this give you food fo thought
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Posted By Bob Youel
ONE OF THE VERY FIRST LAWS THAT YOU CAN RELATE TO H&S WAS 'THE CHAIR LAW' [SORRY IF I DO NOT REMEMBER ITS PROPER TITLE] HENCE THE PROBLEM WAS RECOGNISED IN THE 1800's!
SORT IT VIA RISK ASSESSMENT AND TRY TO SEE IF THIS LAW IS STILL ON THE BOOKS
COMMON LAW STILL APPLIES
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Posted By Jeffrey Watt
Remember Job rotation BS
The guy (or girl) needs to get his sarnies at some point so someone must cover. Maybe you could expand that role for others who have to cover breaks and holidays.
Jeff
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Posted By Stephen D. Clarke
Hi,
In addition to the above advice it might also be useful for staff to have two pairs of comfortable shoes at work. One pair with some type of heel the other flat, then switch back and forth throughout the day. Each pair requires different set of foot muscles and will relieve pressure on different parts of the feet. Also during break times might be worth slipping shoes off raising up on tip toe then back down again, flex each foot and wiggle toes. Just a thought
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Posted By ME
There's no regulation on standing all day, that would cause problems for a lot of industries.
If you can't use anti-fatigue matting because the work is greeting people than ensure regular rest breaks and provide a chair for when there are no guests arriving. Alternatively you could provide a a desk and chair for a make-shift reception desk.
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Posted By AL
REGULATION 11 Workplace (health, Safety and Welfare) Regulations 1992
1 Every workstation shall be so arranged that it is suitable both for any person at work in the workplace who is likely to work at that workstation and for any work of the undertaking which is likely to be done there.
3 A suitable seat shall be provided for each person at work in the workplace whose work includes operations of a kind that the work (or a substantial part of it) can or must be done sitting.
4 A seat shall not be suitable for the purpose of paragraph (3) unless—
a) It is suitable for the person for whom it is provided as well as for the operations to be performed; and
b) A suitable footrest is also provided where necessary.
The risk assessment should identify the problem and the regulation above, the answer.
AL
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Posted By ME
AL
It doesn't say that you can't stand for your work though, just that you have to provide seating. How do you think hairdressers manage to work?
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Posted By Stephen D. Clarke
I have seen in the past hairdressers working from a swing high seat that moves around the customer.
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Posted By Ali
You could try Reg 11 of the Workplace (Health, Safety & Welfare) Regs 1992.
Also, there is Guidance in the form of HSG 57, which is comprehensive.
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Posted By Merv Newman
That's an interesting thought about changing shoes. I can use that. Can we get high-heeled safety boots ?
My hairdresser always sits on a wheeled stool. She never stands while actually cutting my hair.
I think the ergonomic "standing-seat" is the best bet for reception duties. They can be set to just an inch or two below the standing buttock height and allow the load to be taken off legs and feet for brief periods. I have seen them tried on assembly/production lines but the operators seem to feel that they restrict rather than faciliatate.
Merv
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Posted By Jeffrey Watt
I always operate with two pairs of footwear through the week to allow the insoles to rebound. I wouldn't say I have a weight problem but you know the stretchy guy from the Fantastic Four, well his trousers won't fit me.
Jeff
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Posted By BS
Thanks everyone for your help, much appreciated.
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