Good practice in brief

• Keep your back and neck straight, shoulders relaxed, knees slightly bent, and wrists in a neutral position. Use your palm rather than your fingers when gripping objects.
• Use as many large joints and muscle groups as possible to distribute the load.
• Grip objects with your whole hand; avoid using just your fingers and thumb.
• Regularly change your working posture. Avoid maintaining a moderately bent or twisted back or neck for more than one minute. Always bend forward in a straight line.
• Avoid bent or twisted postures, including the neck. Aim for a symmetrical working postures: keep your back and neck straight, shoulders low and relaxed, wrists in a neutral position, and knees slightly bent. Do not work for more than one minute with a moderately bent or twisted back or neck. Always bend straight forward.
• When turning, keep your nose, torso, and feet aligned. Turn by moving your feet, not by twisting your torso. Move calmly and smoothly; avoid jerky or sudden movements.
• Do not stand still for more than one hour at a time, and no more than four hours per shift. If needed, use supportive tools such as an anti-fatigue mat or a balance board. Without support, limit standing at a desk to a maximum of 20 minutes.
• Do not squat, bend or kneel for more than half a minute at a time.
• Work between hip and shoulder height.
• Work close to the body. Avoid reaching out if possible. Do not reach further than your arm is long, about 40 to 60 cm. Do not reach higher than just above your head and do not exceed one minute.
• Do not work with your hands behind your body, this includes pulling a cart behind you.
• Work right with your right hand and left with your left. Avoid over the needlework.
• Use tools. Avoid lifting.
• Keep moving and vary in posture and movement; alternate tasks.
• To alternate standing, use a high work chair, active (saddle) stool, or standing support.
• When sitting, pay attention to an active posture; Alternate prolonged sitting with standing and walking several times per working hour.
• Work dynamically as much as possible.
• Take a (micro)break every 20-30 minutes. Prevent full muscle fatigue, frequent short breaks are better than one long one.

 

Watch the video on how to work around the bed in a healthy way.

 

View the Statistical Load Practice Guideline.

 

Take the e-learning Basic Physically Healthy Working. Through 20 questions, you’ll learn essential knowledge about managing physical strain in healthcare.