Periodic medical examinations, he alth and safety training on the correct adaptation of the workplace and … we continue to expose ourselves to factors harmful to our he alth. Growing awareness does not always go hand in hand with changes in certain habits and adaptation of the workplace to he alth and safety requirements.
He alth and safety at office workstationsis not only a set of regulations that must be remembered during periodic training in the company.Adjusting the workplace to he alth and safety requirementscan help us take care of our own he alth and minimize the risk of various diseases.
OHS in the workplace - more than regulations
As many as 81 percent Poles surveyed by CBOS are considered to be people who care about their own he alth. However, physical activity, proper nutrition or regenerative treatments may not be enough if we subject our body to various endurance tests during work for 8 hours a day. The law strictly defines the scope of obligatory medical examinations for particular professions, he alth and safety training, as well as the conditions under which we perform our duties. Even in the case of typical office work, the relevant regulations specify the functionality of the work equipment items. It happens, however, that only external control motivates employers to fulfill all obligations towards subordinates … Regardless of the top-down regulations, each of us should pay attention to what our immediate surroundings look like and how they can be optimally used to protect our he alth.
Bad habits at work - how do they affect he alth?
Make your workplace comfortable
More and more often the subject of discussion about working conditions is the office - a safe and friendly place, if it meets the basic principles of ergonomics. The ergonomic position ensures a comfortable body position and the freedom to perform individual activities, most of which take place at the computer. Effect - a rested body and a he althy spine. That is why the National Labor Inspectorate points to the role of armrests as well as seat and backrest adjustment in service chairs. The average height of such a contoured seat is 40-50 cm. The whole thing must be adjusted to the desk top, allowing the natural position of the hands while operating the keyboard, maintaining at least a right angle between the shoulder and forearm(the average height is 75 cm). You may also find it helpful to use a footrest. Working at a computer can be burdensome for the spine, but also for the eyesight. - The optimal solution is to place the monitor at a distance of 40-75 cm from the eyes so that its upper edge is at eye level - says Janusz Szwaczka from the Liw Lewant company, a manufacturer of eyeglass frames. - If we have a vision defect, we can additionally consult an ophthalmologist and optician about the lenses used. People who are allergic are also advised to use glasses with a hypoallergenic coating.
Occupational he alth and safety in the workplace - the most important common sense
Each work, however, can make you weary at some point. It can be tiring for the spine to keep the same position for a long time, and harmful effects of light for the eyes, caused by e.g. placing the monitor in front of the window. In addition, the repetition and monotony of certain activities is a frequent cause of malaise, which affects the quality of performed duties and psychological comfort also in the second half of the day. That is why a few-minute breaks after each hour of computer work and physical activity are so important. Some basic exercises can be performed freely in the office. We should remember that even the most he alth-promoting legal regulations will not replace common sense. And the awareness of the need to take care of your body in the workplace, translates into appropriate behavior at home, where we change the office chair into a reading chair, and our knees take over the role of the tabletop with the keyboard.
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