Current and ceased users of sit stand workstations: a qualitative evaluation of ergonomics, safety and health factors within a workplace setting

Abstract

BackgroundMany workplaces have implemented sit-stand workstations (SSW), which enable a worker to transition between sitting and standing as they perform their work activities. The factors which determine the initial adoption, sustainability or cessation of use for a SSW, remain largely unexamined. This study investigates the experiences of workers who had previously used or were currently using a SSW.MethodsThe study setting was within an Australian university. Participants who were current or past SSW users, as well as workplace key informants, were interviewed for the study. All interviews were recorded, transcribed and analysed. Transcripts were coded by two researchers for concepts and themes regarding uptake and sustainability of SSW. Discussion and validation of themes was undertaken by the team of three researchers.ResultsA total of 24 interviews were conducted. Twenty-two interviews were with ceased and current users (16 current and six ceased users) and two interviews were with workplace key informants. Analysis of the interviews with current and ceased users identified three main themes: Personal considerations for use/sustainability; Posture; and Usability. Analysis of the interviews with key informants identified two themes: Considerations and concerns and Policies and procedures. Little information was provided to workers when first using a SSW. Workers who were able to adopt their working style to the new workstations were able to sustain ongoing use of a SSW. Key informants were concerned that employees believed using a SSW would provide a health benefit in its own right without an understanding of the possible risks that might be associated with use.ConclusionsSustainable usage of this type of SSW is achievable, however, it requires some element of adaptation at the individual worker level. Participants spoke about how the use of the SSW in a standing position was typically associated with the time of day, specific task selection and musculoskeletal comfort or fatigue factors. The provision of education to new SSW users with relevant supporting information by a subject matter expert should enable the worker to obtain a more holistic understanding of the safety and health risks and benefits embedded in the use of a SSW.Electronic supplementary materialThe online version of this article (10.1186/s12889-018-6296-6) contains supplementary material, which is available to authorized users.

Temporal features of sitting, standing and stepping changes in a cluster-randomised controlled trial of a workplace sitting-reduction intervention

“…The present trial likewise indicated the greatest intervention effects were observed early in the day, but unlike the pilot study, did not see any specific effects around midday, and saw a clear trend of diminishing effects over time (both by subjective time and clock time). The diminished effects, evident towards the end of the day, may be related to workers experiencing fatigue or muscle discomfort, which is consistent with qualitative research identifying a preference for standing in the morning, and a decline in standing as the day progressed [14]. This timing may also be related to when tasks are undertaken (for example, standing when checking emails at the start of the day).…”

“…This timing may also be related to when tasks are undertaken (for example, standing when checking emails at the start of the day). Within the qualitative study, many workers also reported factors relating to comfort or fatigue as contributing to their sitting later in the working day [14]. There is also preliminary evidence that the work environment may impact on breaks in sitting time [26].…”

“…For example, different effects around lunchtime might be suggestive of more discretionary opportunities to not sit, which may have ramifications for postprandial glucose and lipid metabolism [13]. Differences between later versus earlier in the day may reflect behaviour changes relating to discomfort or fatigue [14]. Few studies have examined such change in temporal patterns of sitting time following intervention.…”

“Why would you want to stand?” an account of the lived experience of employees taking part in a workplace sit-stand desk intervention

“…The findings suggest that there are minimum design requirements to enable workers to complete their work, however, beyond this employees engage their reflexivity to choose whether and how to respond to the sit-stand desk, whilst their choices are disposed by various structural factors that enable or impede use of the sit-stand desk [39]. The finding that some employees were willing to adapt how they work to accommodate the sit-stand desk, and some were not, is consistent with a recent qualitative study of current and past sit-stand desk users [40]. Organisations should consider models of sit-stand desks that suit their environment, and permit employees to trial and select models of sit-stand desk that best ‘fit’ their own needs and how they interact with their desk, to minimise the amount of adjustment required.…”

The user and non-user perspective: Experiences of office workers with long-term access to sit-stand workstations

“…A recent study, which included interviews with current and previous users of sit-stand workstations, showed that sustained use of the furniture was dependent on personal considerations, such as the selection of a specific work task while using the standing option [ 34 ]. Although the inclusion of previous users added an additional perspective, previous users had all specifically requested to have a sit-stand workstation in the past, indicating similar levels of enthusiasm as the current users.…”