Believe it or not, one of the top reasons for Australians taking time off from their jobs is hurting their back while doing their work. It may be the case that they were lifting something very heavy and they didn’t follow the health and safety guidelines set out for them or it might be just that they were sitting at their desks for far too long and so their backs were not getting the support that they needed. It is the duty of every employer to provide an employee with a safe place to work but you would be surprised at the quality of chairs that people are expected to sit at every day.
This is one of the reasons why many employers and indeed employees all across Australia are deciding to invest in a standing desk that will not only provide them with back protection but encourage them to stand more and to walk around. Nobody can afford to have any time off work due to a back injury and so the following are some of the things that you can do to protect yourself in the office or on the shop floor in 2025.
- Strengthen your body – This is particularly important as we get older and many Australians don’t do any kind of exercise that provides them with flexibility and helps to strengthen their lower and upper back. You need to start incorporating some strength exercises into your daily routines and try to squeeze in some planks, sit-ups and any other exercise that will provide you with a much stronger core.
- Invest in quality furniture – This is why it is suggested here that you spend money on something like a desk where you can stand to do your work. The desk is obviously adjustable and so if you do decide to sit down on your chair doing your work then make sure that it is an ergonomic one. This is the chair that provides you with essential back protection and allows you to adjust it to you regarding your individual needs.
- Get up & walk around – Australians in the workplace need to be reminded to get up from their desks and just walk around for a little while. Many don’t take their lunch hour and so they remain at their desks for longer than they should be. You need to get yourself into the habit of standing up every 30 minutes or so to stretch out and to give your back a little bit of time to recover. It pays to put a little reminder on the monitor of your desktop computer to stand up once in a while.
Obviously, you are encouraged to invest in a standing desk because it will provide you with an excellent return on your investment with regards to your health and your work output. Nobody else is going to take care of your health in the workplace, so take steps today and protect yourself for tomorrow.
