Maintaining a standing position

The human body is a designed to perform various activities by adopting numerous postures, such as standing, throughout the day.  Standing for long periods can be uncomfortable for many people with injury or disability and can potentially have an adverse effect on any person.

Many jobs require standing for prolonged periods of time, including working as customer service assistant, retail work, hairdressing, bank tellers, working in restaurants, nursing and teaching.

Workplace solutions and adjustments

It is important in each job to minimise the risks or the difficulties associated with prolonged standing. Where possible, the job and work environment should be designed to fit the worker.

Working from a standing posture may be suitable for:

• assembly and sorting tasks
• handling objects over 4.5 kilograms
• when movement is required within the work area or
• when reaching or working when use of force is required.

Safe work practices should also be adopted when working from standing, including:

• anecdotal evidence suggests propping the foot on a small ledge while standing to assist with changing the postural loads from static standing
• perform stretches and work exercises on a regular basis
• taking regular postural breaks, for example, after every 20-30 minutes of standing, complete another task requiring sitting or walking for 2-3 minutes
• where possible, alternating between sitting, standing and walking on a regular basis.

It is also extremely important to have well fitting comfortable footwear, suitable to the work environment, when standing for prolonged periods. Orthotics or molded footwear may need to be considered for certain disabilities.

Products, aids and supports to assist people to stand for long periods include:

• anti-fatigue matting
• chairs—ergonomic
• stools—stand-lean
• workstations for industrial settings—adjustable
• workstations for the office—adjustable
• workstations—sit-stand

References

Ciccarelli, M. 2006, Overview of Occupational Safety & Health Issues in Western Australia: Occupational Therapy Notes, Curtin University of Technology, Perth.

Independent Living Centres Australia Inc. 2007, Review of Products, Independent Living Centres Australia Inc., Sydney, viewed 8 March 2010, <http://www.ilcaustralia.org>.

Lechner, D. 1999, ErgoScience: Job Demands Analysis, University of Alabama, Alabama.

WorkCover New South Wales 2010, Manual Handling-Hierarchy of Controls, New South Wales Government, Sydney, viewed 8 March 2010, http://www.workcover.nsw.gov.au/formspublications/publications/Documents/hierarchy of_controls_5620.pdf.

Would you like more information?

• Mobility and walking