M10.1 Video

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For this blog post I considered the jobs of me and my partner. We both work in office buildings and mostly sit behind a desk everyday so there are not many occupationally hazards from our jobs. We do not have biological or radiological hazards. The only chemical hazard I can think of is everyday office supplies like cleaning supplies or anti-dust sprays. However, in terms of ergonomics we both have very bad back problems. Sitting at a desk all day has been causing both me and my partner a lot of pain. I have recently bought us a "back-buddy" which is a plastic device that helps us roll out "knots" in our back. Also I am trying to stand more at work since my desk can easily be converted into a standing one. 
Since we do not face any major hazards at work it is hard to relate our jobs to the industrial hygiene hierarchy of controls. There is no way our workers can change the fact that we work behind a computer all day long. The only suggestion I have is to initiate mandatory stretch breaks. 

 A barrier for a worker to express their right to a healthy and safe workplace can occur from many different reasons. One major reason that comes to mind is the fear of upsetting this boss or manager and in return losing their job. Many people are unable to forgo long periods of time not working and they are extremely scared to lose their job because of the need to finically support themselves and possibly their families. So they do not make a fuss of their situation and do not express their right to healthy and safe workplace. 

Comments

  1. UnknownNovember 2, 2018 at 3:29 PM

    Hi Caitlin,

    I can relate to your back problems. Sitting at my office is all I do at work too! They have said that sitting is like the new smoking because it is that bad for our health. Mandatory breaks are really helpful and I like the idea of standing desks. My manager also has one of those large workout balls she sits on.

    ReplyDelete
  2. AnonymousNovember 6, 2018 at 11:42 AM

    Hi Caitlin,

    I also work in a similar environment as you and your partner. And just like you two, I also have back problems. Additionally, my eye sight has gotten so worst in the last few years because of no doubt, staring at two big screens all day long. I am glad you got stuff to support your back. I recently bought a small standing table so I can do some of the work standing up. Sad to say, I haven't used it once since I purchased it four months ago.

    I didn't think about employee reprehension when I was thinking of barrier. I focused on not taking care of my physical health or forgetting to stand because I am too focused on my work. But you are completely right about having that as a barrier. I feel like even though I work at a institution that supports and find ways to enrich the life of their employee, I remember asking for a lighter laptop once and having to sit down with admin director, my boss and her boss just so they could tell me I can't have a lighter laptop. Pretty silly use of resources if you ask me

    ReplyDelete
  3. Jordan DemosNovember 13, 2018 at 10:08 AM

    Hi Caitlin,

    Maintaining proper posture can be very difficult. I hear and see so many people with back issues due to sitting at a desk all day for work. Have you tried one of the desks that adjust to standing or sitting? Ive never tried them out, but they look like they could be beneficial. You could rotate between working sitting in the chair and working while standing up to give your back a break.

    ReplyDelete

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