TOWORK IN AN OFFICE is the aspiration of many. Offices are often considered ideal working environments that are not associated with any significant health hazards. Unfortunately, those who make such an assumption are innocently unaware of the numerous health threats that are associated with office work.
Below I’ve outlined what scientific research has uncovered regarding some of the health risks of working in an office.
Non-Communicable Diseases Seated at a desk for most of the working day, even in persons who regularly exercise, statistically increases the risks of:
• Obesity
• Heart disease
• Stoke
• Type 2 diabetes
• Cancers – Breast, colon, and ovarian.
Carpal Tunnel Syndrome (CTS) CTS results from constriction in the wrist of the median nerve, which is responsible for approximately 70% of the sensation and movement of the hand. Repetitive motions about the wrist – e.g. extensive keyboard use, can cause CTS. Symptoms include numbness, tingling, and weakness in the hand, including the fingers.
Lower-Back Pain This is quite common in office workers and results from being sedentary, having poor posture, and poorly designed and ergonomically unforgiving workstations.
Eye strain Focusing the eyes on a computer screen for prolonged periods can cause eye strain. This can present with sore/ burning, watery or dry eyes, blurred and, or double vision, increased sensitivity to light and difficulty keeping the eyes open. Infections Cramped working environments, the sharing of phones, coffee pots, surfaces, faucet handles, and air, lack of regular sanitization of surfaces and door knobs, the abundance of microbial organisms in offices, suboptimal worker hygiene, and other factors facilitate the spread of germs. Infections can include:
• Respiratory tract infections • COVID-19
• Chickenpox
• Gastroenteritis
• Conjunctivitis. Women who are caught up in their work at their desks for long periods, while ignoring the impulse to urinate, are more prone to UTIs.
Noise stress The main sources of noise in an open office are ringing phones, air conditioners, conversations, outside traffic, personnel movement, fans, shredders, printers/ copiers/ scanners/ faxes, staplers, filing cabinets, and the closing of doors. Noisy offices increased by up to 30% the psychological stress levels for those within.
