Sit? Stand? Or Both?

BARSTOW, CA, UNITED STATES

05.14.2015

Story by Cynthia McIntyre 

Marine Corps Logistics Base Barstow

BARSTOW, Calif. - You might not think office jobs are hazardous, but if you take into account the amount of sitting the average American does, you'd understand why one woman is on a mission to get employees at Marine Corps Logistics Base Barstow, Calif., to stand at their desks.

"You drive to work, sit at a desk, sit while eating meals, and turn into a couch potato when you get home," explained Alma Rodriguez, information and referral specialist at Marine and Family Services, during a Voluntary Protection Program presentation to the Environmental Division staff in building 196, March 12. "It atrophies muscles and affects your organs, crushes your intestines, prevents digestion, and slows metabolism which affects your heart."

As chairperson of the VPP's safety and health committee, Rodriguez has taken the program on the road, so to speak. Concerned that brochures and email updates are not always read, her group has begun giving presentations at various base departments.

"Our campaign is Pay Attention, It's Personal. You should be able to go home in the same condition you came in to work," she said of efforts to get office employees to incorporate safety and simple habits such as stretching, standing, and choosing proper footwear.

Rodriguez speaks from personal experience how a change in work habits helped her overcome back and neck problems which kept her out of work several times a year.

When she began working at a sit-stand computer station, and incorporating stretching exercises and good ergonomic positions, the problems went away. Charlie Keegan, base safety specialist and VPP safety and health committee member, introduced her to this set-up.

Purchasing sit-stand workstations is also an important goal. Rodriguez pointed out that sit-stand computing stations allow workers to easily change from a sitting position to a standing one. Using an automated desk that moves up and down, or a moveable work station, sedentary workers can easily change positions numerous times a day, allowing those squished innards to get properly aligned and unused muscles strengthened.

The American Journal of Epidemiology published a study that said the average American spends nearly eight hours a day in sedentary behaviors such as sitting. Many medical professionals now refer to the health problems this creates as the "sitting disease."

"It takes more muscles to stand up," said Rodriguez. "You can also squeeze your glutes, squat, and move around."

She provided a handout that extols the benefits of sit-stand, and gives tips on how to make the most comfortable work environment possible.

Michelle Lawing, MCLB Barstow's sexual assault response coordinator and member of the VPP committee, said she had health issues that made her choose a better lifestyle. A personal fitness competitor, Lawing gets up at 4 a.m. to work out.

"I believe in fitness, in making healthy and yummy food," she said. "So if something goes wrong I know it won't be because of what I did or didn't do [healthwise]."

The Pay Attention, It's Personal campaign also targets employees in other jobs. "I encourage people in hazardous jobs to work in pairs," said Rodriguez. "One person can make sure their partner doesn't get cocky and take chances."

Anyone can improve safety in the workplace, she emphasized, whether it's fixing bent doormats or moving a phone cord that poses a tripping hazard.

"Take initiative to fix things like that," she said. "Think of the people who may not get around as well as you do."

All it takes is fixing one little thing to make a difference. Or, as she explained, simply standing at your desk.

• Date Taken: 05.14.2015
• Date Posted: 05.29.2015 14:18
• Story ID: 164924
• Location: BARSTOW, CA, US