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Britain's Workers Stand for Worse Conditions than the Victorians
01 Sep 2005
Up to 11 million UK workers could face serious health problems from prolonged standing at work, and they are offered less protection than employees from the Victorian era, says a new report from the TUC published last month.
'Standing problem', which appears in the latest edition of the TUC-backed health and safety magazine Hazards says that despite calls at the end of the 19th century for action to be taken about the dire health consequences for London's shop assistants from constant standing the problems are as acute today as they were in Victorian times.
Every year over 2 million sick days are lost due to lower limb disorders, with nearly 200,000 people reporting lower limb ailments caused or made worse by their job. Workers who spend most of the working day on their feet are at risk of work-related varicose veins, poor circulation and swelling in the feet and legs, foot problems, joint damage, heart and circulatory problems and pregnancy difficulties.
Hazards Editor Rory O'Neill said: "You don't walk into work to face daily discomfort from varicose veins, bunions and heel spurs. And protracted periods on your feet are not necessary - in Sweden, for example, it is rare for workers to be required to stand for more than two hours per day."
The first priority is prevention, but 'Standing problem' recognises that standing cannot be avoided in all jobs and offers tips and advice on how to minimise the health risks through things like improved workstation design, flooring and personal protective equipment (PPE).
www.tuc.org.uk
