Risks associated with sedentary work practices

Speaker’s Name: Janice BattStream: White Collar

Safe Work Australia

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Australia’s Biggest Killers?

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The Couch

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Exposure to sedentary behaviour is common in Australia and is linked with an increased risk of premature mortality, morbidity and detrimental

work outcomes

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Sedentary Behaviour

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Any waking behaviour characterized by an energy expenditure less than or equal to 1.5 METS while in a sitting or reclining posture:

• Sitting • Reading• Driving• Watching TV• Using a computer

Emerging WHS Issues Program

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• Developed methodology with National Research and Evaluation Reference Group (RERG)

• We conduct horizon scanning and network to identify potential WHS issues of national significance

• Assess issue against pre-developed guiding definitions and assess the risk against criteria of “new” and “increasing”

• Consult with Members, commission expert intel and develop policy solutions.

Working Environment

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Today 1900’s

The impact of sedentary work is not new

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Bernardino Ramazzini C1700

All sedentary workers ... suffer from the itch, are a bad colour, and in poor condition ... for when the body is not kept moving the blood becomes tainted, its waste matter lodges in the skin, and the condition of the whole body deteriorates.

How can we be sure of the evidence?

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Systematic Reviews and publications in multiple prestigious journals• Boyle, T., Fritschi, L., Heyworth, J., & Bull, F. (2011). Long-term sedentary work and the

risk of subsite-specific colorectal cancer. American journal of epidemiology, 173(10), 1183-1191

• Hordern, M. D., Dunstan, D. W., Prins, J. B., Baker, M. K., Singh, M. A. F., & Coombes, J. S. (2012). Exercise prescription for patients with type 2 diabetes and pre-diabetes: a position statement from Exercise and Sport Science Australia. Journal of Science and Medicine in Sport, 15(1), 25-3

• Dunstan, D. W., Kingwell, B. A., Larsen, R., Healy, G. N., Cerin, E., Hamilton, M. T., ... & Owen, N. (2012). Breaking up prolonged sitting reduces postprandial glucose and insulin responses. Diabetes care, 35(5), 976-983

• Dunstan, D. W., Howard, B., Healy, G. N., & Owen, N. (2012). Too much sitting–a health hazard. Diabetes research and clinical practice, 97(3), 368-376

• Straker, Leon, Healy, G, Atherton, R, & Dunstan, D. (2014). Excessive occupational sitting is not a "safe system of work": time for doctors to get chatting with patients. Medical Journal of Australia, 201(3), 138-140

• Stamatakis, E., Hamer, M., & Dunstan, D. W. (2011). Screen-Based Entertainment Time, All-Cause Mortality, and Cardiovascular Events Population-Based Study With Ongoing Mortality and Hospital Events Follow-Up. Journal of the American College of Cardiology, 57(3), 292-299.

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How does excessive occupational sitting cause harm?

Beware the Active Couch Potato

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How much occupational sitting is too much?

Risk Management

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4 Step approach

Step 1 - identify hazards – find out what could cause harm

Step 2 - assess risks

if necessary – understand the nature of the harm that could be caused by the hazard, how serious the harm could be and the likelihood of it happening

Step 3 - control risks implement the most effective control measure that is reasonably practicable in the circumstances

Step 4 - review control measures to ensure they are working as planned.

HOW TO MANAGE WORK HEALTH AND SAFETY RISKS

 Code of Practice

Management commitment

duty holder leadership

Consultation consult with workers and others at all stages

Hierarchy of Controls

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WORK HEALTH AND SAFETY RISKS Code of Practice

How the hazard of sedentary work can be reduced by substitution and interruption of

sitting time.

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Australia’s Physical Activity and Sedentary Behaviour Guidelines – June 2014

www.health.gov.au

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Evidence on the metabolic effects of standing is mixed but suggest beneficial effects.

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M

Healthy and safe by design Workplace hazards are eliminated or minimised by design.

Structures, plant and substances are designed to eliminate or minimise hazards and risks before they are introduced into the workplace.

Work, work processes and systems of work are designed and managed to eliminate or minimise hazards and risks.

Action Areas

Design & management of work, work processes and

systems of work to eliminate or minimise

hazards and risksDesign of structures, plant and substances to

eliminate or minimise hazards and risks before they are introduced into the workplace

Work Design

Principles of Good Work Design

Key Messages• Musculoskeletal and metabolic experimental and epidemiological evidence

supports the benefits of keeping sedentary tasks to no longer than 20-30 minutes

• Prolonged sedentary behaviour can be interrupted with either the substitution of sitting with a productive or non-productive non-sedentary task, or a brief non-sedentary activity.

• Examples of substitution tasks to interrupt sedentary tasks include: switching to work on a computer at a standing or walking workstation, standing to read a document, having a standing or walking meeting, stand for some of a public transport commute.

• Examples of brief activities which can act as breaks include: standing while talking on the phone, walking to deliver a message to a colleague rather than emailing, walking to get a drink or visit the bathroom.

• Good job design can use substitution and breaks to minimise the harm from occupational sedentary exposure.

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