Information Champion

Postural, joint and muscular problems pinpointed to necks, backs, hips and knees are on the increase amongst the British workforce. These problems could be attributed to poor seating posture, lack of movement in the office and inappropriate office furniture.

A survey recently published by Chartered Society of Physiotherapists (CSP) revealed that as many as one in four employees work non-stop throughout the day and many of us work through most of our lunch break. Furthermore, a Deskbound survey uncovered that 60% of the British workforce work more than their contracted hours, 36% suffer from bad posture and 57% suffer from backache.

In 2008 a joint study between researchers in Southampton and New Zealand provided evidence that long hours at the desk represents a similar risk of potentially fatal blood clots as long distance travel.

These facts and figures speak for themselves and stress the urgency in employees introducing changes and incentives that could improve staff health. At the end of the day, bad backs and other problems arising from poor posture will decrease productivity.

Interestingly enough the Deskbound survey also reveals that only 36% of employers provide ‘comfortable’ chairs for their employees and 70% of office staff would like more say in their office furniture.

Steps to reduce work related health problems

Short Breaks

Strain from desk bound work could be easily avoided with frequent short brakes away from the desk. Apart from having a positive impact on your body, shorter breaks also stimulates the brain.

Office Furniture

Osteopaths are urging employers to look over their office furniture and wherever possible invest in appropriate ergonomic office chairs and desks that will protect their workforce against injuries and back problems. BT Office agrees with this and stresses the importance for employees to fully understand how their office chair operates.

Exercise

Office staff needs to make sure to move about frequently during the day; stretch the body, take a detour on the way to the kitchen, meeting room or printer. With a wireless headset or a portable telephone, employees can walk around the office whilst on the phone; this also burns 5 times more calories than sitting. Google ‘office exercise’ for other ideas that can improve body posture and strength, and reduce the daily strain of sitting for long hours. Gentle exercise in the office can also help burning extra calories before the summer holiday.

BT Office suggests three simply steps that can go a long way in safeguarding good health and wellbeing amongst employees:

1. Look over your office furniture

2. Make your employees posture aware

3. Introduce incentives for daily exercise and/or short brakes.

And last, but not least, let your individual employees have a say in selecting their office furniture – after all they are the ones who are going to use them, not all, but most of the day. BT Office is always happy to share their knowledge and assist you in selecting the most appropriate office furniture for your office and budget.

Resource

BT office furniture has concentrated on providing great value for money without compromise on quality and service. We provide a full space planning service, and our products are delivered and installed by fully trained staff. We offer free advice and work independently offering several range options to suit our customer’s needs.

To find out how BT Office can be your perfect partner for office furniture solutions visit: http://www.btoffice.com

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Apple’s iphone4 launched.

Thousands queue outside UK stores to buy the ever popular Apple iphone 4. As I write this, I’m receiving information from Apple’s RSS feed telling me that they have just sold 1.7M units since the launch on the 24th June.

Steve jobs has to come out and apologise for not having enough iphone4’s available. No doubt as the queues dilute, we’re all look forward to the iphone4s, iphone5

Who knows?

All we do know is that electropages has a useful app ” electronics news ” which can be downloaded on to both the ipad and iphone to help you keep in touch with the very latest electronics product news.

A new version is available which includes Learn more forms that remember your details, making it easier for multiple enquiries. Digi-Key, RS components, Mouser & Farnell news is available from our News app.

You can download the app here:

http://itunes.apple.com/us/app/electronics-news/id308031182?mt=8

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Established in 1999, Electropages distributes electronic news to established component buying engineers, designers and stakeholders all over the world. Electropages prides itself on bringing buyers and sellers together within a dedicated professional forum capable of delivering the right time.