Working in a standing position
- Work performed while standing is usually the type of work that requires a great deal of range, effort and also a lot of movement away from the workpla
- When working in a standing position, care must be taken to maintain good posture and balance.
- The height of the work surface must be in accordance with the employee's height and the difficulty of the work.
Working in a standing position
The type of work that requires a great deal of range, effort and also a lot of movement away from the workplace is work usually performed while standing. Although the upright position allows the employee more mobility, it puts more strain on the muscles, joints and ligaments than the sitting position. Chefs, hairdressers, line workers, forest workers, etc. work mainly in an upright position.
Rest breaks must be an integral part of work performed in a standing position. The best option is to change the upright and sitting position frequently during working hours and to equip all upright workstations with seats for taking breaks. Working in an upright position for a long time can cause pain in some parts of the body, which is a warning signal by the body and an indication of overload of the joints. It is essential to listen to your body and learn to respect pain as its defence mechanism. Working in an upright position for long periods of time can cause pain and swelling in the legs and muscles, varicose veins and back problems.
When working in a standing position, care must be taken to maintain good posture and balance. Among other things, it is important to make sure that the load is evenly distributed on both legs, thus allowing an even load on the joints. When working in a standing position, it is very important to choose suitable work shoes that support the foot, have low heels and a strong sole, do not squeeze or make the feet sweat. The floor must not be slippery or uneven. A suitable floor material is, for example, wood, but also a flexible rubber or plastic mat.
The height of the work surface must be in accordance with the employee's height and the difficulty of the work. It is important to ensure that the body position of the employee is not constantly bent or in an inverted position and that they are not working with their hands raised. The shoulders should be kept as level as possible and the elbows placed close to the body so that the forearm falls freely from the upper arm.