Workplace Health & Safety

MOVEMENT, COMFORT IMPORTANT TO WORKPLACE HEALTH

Thanks to advances in computer technology, many workers are finding they can accomplish more and more without ever having to leave their desk. Yet these hours and hours of immobility take their toll on the body-resulting in stiffness, soreness and other problems that can lead to troubling health conditions.

"The body hates to be in a static position," said Dr. Dan Baker, research scientist in the University of Washington Department of Environmental Health. "People who move around very little at work will become aware that this can exact a toll on their health."

Baker, who visits job sites to assess and help improve workplace environments, points out that the manual typewriters of yesterday required much more movement - raising your arm to return the carriage, reaching for a new piece of paper and leaning over to load it in the machine.

"Today, people can come to the office, sit in front of the computer and stay in relatively the same position all day long," Baker says. "Even if you think you're in the ideal position at your desk, if you stay that way too long you'll become uncomfortable."

As a result of non-movement, people may experience a wide range of aches and pains in the back, legs, shoulders, arms, hands and wrists, as well as tension headaches. Being aware of your daily work schedule and making changes to your workplace environment can be helpful.

To help lessen the aches and pains of office work, Baker offers the following tips to increase movement and comfort in the workplace:

• Stand up — You don't have to be sitting down to file, talk on the phone or read. Make a point of moving around every 30 minutes or so and performing activities standing up when you are able to.
• Stretch — If you find yourself sitting for long periods of time, take a few seconds to stretch out your arms and legs. This can be done either sitting or standing and will help improve blood circulation and loosen your muscles.
• Adjust your chair — Make a point of moving your chair up or down - even slightly - at least two to three times a day. At work sites, Baker conducts a "dust check" on the adjuster handles of chairs to see if they re used. "People need to learn how to adjust their chairs and make a habit of doing this frequently," he said.
• Keep your feet on the ground — This is the best posture while typing to ensure good circulation in the legs. Placing feet on a raised platform can also be helpful.
• Relax your wrists — position your keyboard and chair so that your arms and wrists are relaxed while you type. Awkward or uncomfortable postures may increase fatigue and contribute to other problems.
• Alternate activities — Add movement and variety to your work day by breaking up tasks such as filing and typing into small blocks of time instead of all at once.

Taking time to make changes in the workplace environment can be important for physical and mental health. If changes such as these are not effective in preventing or reducing physical discomfort, Baker suggests speaking with your physician.

"Employers who invest time to make changes in their physical surroundings or activities can make jobs more healthy and enjoyable, he said.

Source: Vitality on Demand

Policy Spotlight

The Administrative/Staff Handbook can be found here or on the "V" drive at: V:\PUBLIC\HR\HANDBOOK

WORKER'S COMPENSATION

Each employee is covered from the minute he or she starts to work until the workday concludes for on-the-job accidents, injuries or health hazards caused by the job. California Lutheran University pays the total cost of this insurance. This comprehensive plan covers three major areas: Industrial accident (salary for days lost on the job); Medical (doctors and hospitalization); and Death and Disability benefits. (See Appendix for sample form).

With respect to compensation received, the employee may elect one of the following procedures:

• receive as salary only the compensation paid under the Worker’s Compensation Insurance;

• any time an employee receives Worker’s Compensation or State disability payments, sick leave will be utilized in proportion to the benefit paid, e.g., if no benefit is paid for a day of absence, one day of sick leave will be used – if one-half a day’s pay is granted by Worker’s Compensation or State Disability for one day of absence, one-half day of sick leave will be used.  If the employee has no sick leave available, then any available annual leave will be utilized.  If/when no sick leave or annual leave is available the employee’s sole benefit will be Worker’s Compensation Disability Payments.

Procedures for Filing Worker’s Compensation Claim

EMPLOYEES MUST BE GIVEN A CLAIM FORM STATING FULL DISCLOSURE OF THEIR RIGHTS WITHIN 24 HOURS OF INJURY COMING TO THE ATTENTION OF THE UNIVERSITY.

The Supervisor will do the following:

• call Human Resources Office to advise of the injury;
• send employees not seriously injured to:

1. Health Services and
2. Human Resources Office for medical authorization slip and employee report;

• Fill out supervisor’s report and return to Human Resources Office within 24 hours of injury.

IN CASE OF AN EMERGENCY

• Call Security at ext. 3911, giving exact location on campus;
• Call Human Resources Office to advise of injury and fill out supervisor’s report.

OFF HOURS-Security officers are available to transport employees to the medical clinic, if necessary.

Disability slips from the doctor should be given directly to the Human Resources Office by the injured employee when s/he returns to work.

All injured employees (not requiring ambulance services) are required to be seen by the medical facility designated by the University.

Employee and Supervisor Accident/Incident Report forms can be found here.