Working from home can be comfortable and even healthy – discover how!

The epidemic of covida-19 has radically changed the way we look at work, with the increased prevalence of home-based work. In the wake of the pandemic, work in jobs that allow it has become a combination of homeworking and working on the employer’s premises, known as hybrid work. In this new paradigm, a thorough rethinking of occupational safety and health is crucial, covering the physical layout of home offices and the organisational and psychosocial factors that influence safe and healthy working conditions.

Health and safety at work – indispensable regardless of location

Homeworking requires the same level of care for health and safety at work as working on the employer’s premises. The laws on employment relations and occupational safety and health set clear guidelines for employers and employees. Employers are obliged to provide safe working conditions, regardless of whether the work is carried out at home or at work. This includes taking measures to prevent, eliminate and control hazards at work, providing proper information and training, and providing the necessary equipment and material resources.

The importance of ergonomic design

Inadequate workplace arrangements, whether at home or on the employer’s premises, can lead to a variety of health problems. These include musculoskeletal disorders and sensory fatigue. In particular, those who work with computers face ergonomic and physical risks. The European Agency for Safety and Health at Work identifies some key risk factors, such as incorrect posture due to sedentary work, prolonged keyboard and computer work, and working in environments with sub-optimal temperatures, noise and inadequate lighting.

Ergonomic risks and proper workstation layout

The main ergonomic risks of working with computers include poor posture due to prolonged sitting, static postures and incorrectly positioned workstations. The intensity of work with keyboard, mouse and other input devices, requiring repetitive hand and wrist movements and a high level of concentration, can lead to fatigue and injury. It is also important to consider the working environment, such as appropriate temperature, adequate lighting and noise reduction, as these factors have a significant impact on employee productivity and health.

Office chairs and fitness ball demonstrating sitting

Ergonomic office chair for active sitting

The SpinaliS chair is a remarkable innovative product that combines the comfort of an office chair with the active seating of a fitness ball. This chair is unique in that it allows for comfortable seating while replicating the benefits of active sitting on a fitness ball, which is recommended by many doctors and therapists as the best practice for healthy sitting in the modern office environment.

Active sitting on the SpinaliS chair – continuous muscle activity

The unique feature of the SpinaliS chair is that it encourages continuous muscle activity while sitting. By mimicking the effects of a fitness ball, it allows the user to keep their muscles active at all times without having to make any special effort. This means that sitting on the SpinaliS chair helps to maintain a healthy body without additional strain. In the standing position, the ligaments and muscles take part of the load on the intervertebral discs. When sitting, these muscles and ligaments relax, which increases the pressure on the intervertebral discs. If you sit in an incorrect posture for a long time, the muscles and ligaments become increasingly loose. This increases the strain on other parts of the spine, which have to take the load of the inactive parts.

The importance and benefits of active sitting

Active sitting means constantly activating your back and abdominal muscles while sitting. This practice is particularly effective in chairs with a flexible seat, such as the SpinaliS chair. Active sitting involves the user being constantly engaged in maintaining stability, as otherwise he/she would risk falling off the seat. This is similar to sitting on a fitness ball, where the moving properties of the ball force the individual to maintain correct posture and an upright spine. Active sitting encourages constant muscular activity, which strengthens the back and abdominal musculature. This relieves the intervertebral discs, reduces back pain and improves the physical condition of the individual. The SpinaliS chair allows you to bring these benefits of active sitting into your daily work routine without additional effort.

In conclusion, ergonomic workplace design is key to health and well-being at work, whether you work at home or in the office. With the right workstation layout, the right equipment and the use of innovative solutions such as the SpinaliS chair, you can achieve a comfortable and productive working environment. Active sitting in this chair has many benefits including stronger muscles, better posture and reduced back pain. By taking a sensible approach to occupational health and safety and using ergonomic equipment, you can truly enjoy a comfortable and healthy working environment. Remember, your wellbeing is key, so take the time to organise your workspace and discover the benefits of active sitting today.