What is Postural Hygiene

The postural hygiene is a key issue in occupational health, it refers to the set of norms and recommendations that aim to educate the individual, and especially the worker, in relation to the appropriate postures to carry out each type of activity, both in movement as at rest, in order to allow a good alignment of the whole body, subjecting its parts to the least possible overload, in order to prevent the appearance of injuries.

The objective of adopting postural hygiene measures when carrying out the activities is to prevent the appearance of occupational diseases by taking care of the posture.

Scope of action of postural hygiene measures

The recommendations related to postural hygiene can be applied not only to the workers of a company or organization, it is currently trying to expand its scope of action, also including healthy people, to prevent risk of developing injuries. They should also be observed when executing hobbies, practicing sports or even during recreational activities such as watching television.

In the case of people who suffer from some type of musculoskeletal injury, adopting postural hygiene measures is the best way to prevent injuries from progressing further deteriorating health or encouraging new ones to develop injuries.

For this reason, it is considered a healthy practice to educate the population general in the measures to be implemented to protect your back and joints, when adopting posture or exertion, remember these postural rules and apply them consistently in your life daily.

Where are the rules of postural hygiene taught?

Postural hygiene measures are taught as part of a physical rehabilitation program to patients undergoing physiotherapy treatment, consisting of the School backwards where the measures to prevent back injuries are taught and is complemented with postural reeducation and training in joint care.

In healthy workers, this knowledge must be transmitted through training activities. training as part of the program prevention of occupational risks that is elaborated in many companies.

Main recommendations related to postural hygiene

- Try to carry out your tasks adopting one or more postures in which you feel comfortable, adjust your equipment and work instruments for this purpose. Usually there is no single correct posture.

- Avoid maintaining the same posture in a sustained way, even if you work seated, try to change your position frequently.

- Perform tasks that require you to walk or perform some type of displacement.

- Toggle between various tasks throughout the day.

- When you have to perform repetitive movements try to take breaks at least every two hours to stretch and change position.

- Use tools, implements and even furniture correctly.

- Try to have sufficient ventilation and lighting in your job.

- Properly use personal protective equipment whenever they are required.

- Avoid sources of noise.

- Avoid clutter on the job site, keep cables from various equipment organized and ensure that the passage areas are not obstructed and not obstructed by objects such as boxes.

Photos: iStock - habun / Yuri_Arcurs

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