June 1, 2015—Standing desks are becoming more popular, especially among younger workers, notes commercial and industrial matting provider Crown Matting Technologies. In fact, studies by Cornell University, published in October 2014, indicate that four out of five people prefer to work at adjustable, standing workstations.
Standing desks can also have health benefits, reducing the risk of obesity, diabetes, and cardiovascular disease, according to other studies.
However, if an anti-fatigue mat is not installed, these benefits may not be fully realized, points out Crown. So before jumping on the “standing revolution,” here are a few things the company says users should be aware of:
- Don’t toss the chair: The best way to transfer to a standing workstation is to do it gradually. Continue to spend some time working at a desk initially and as needed.
- Make it a habit: One way to gradually change to a standing workstation is to make some work activities standing only; for instance, stand when checking e-mail or conducting Skype calls.
- Don’t look down: Often when employees work standing, they look down and stand too close to their laptops. The monitor should be at eye level and a foot or more away from the worker’s standing position.
- Numerous cords and wires can become a problem with a standing workstation: Try to go wireless for printing, scanning, speakers, etc.
“The Cornell study also found that many standing workers report ‘significantly less musculoskeletal upper-body discomfort,'” said Adam Strizzi, marketing manager with Crown Matting Technologies. “But this is not necessarily true of lower-body discomfort.”
In fact, reports of tired feet, leg and knee pain, and fatigue are commonly reported by workers who work standing, notes Crown. That is why Strizzi suggests that along with selecting a standing desk, workers should also select an anti-fatigue mat to go along with it.
Crown has provided commercial and industrial matting for over 70 years, and today offers a diverse array of entrance and anti-fatigue matting product lines.
This article is adapted from BOMI International’s course Environmental Health and Safety Issues, part of the RPA, FMA, and SMA designation programs. More information regarding this course or the new High-Performance certificate courses is available by calling 1-800-235-2664. Visit BOMI International’s website, www.bomi.org.