A qualitative review of existing national and international occupational safety and health policies relating to occupational sedentary behaviour.

Pieter Coenen, Nicholas Gilson, Genevieve N Healy, David W Dunstan, Leon M Straker

Journal: Applied ergonomics 2017;60():320-333

PMID: 28166892

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Abstract

Prolonged sedentary time is now recognised as an emergent ergonomics issue. We aimed to review current occupational safety and health policies relevant to occupational sedentary behaviour. An electronic search for documents was conducted on websites of ergonomics and occupational safety and health organisations from 10 countries and six international/pan-European agencies. Additionally, 43 informants (nine countries) were contacted and an international conference workshop held. 119 documents (e.g. legislation, guidelines, codes of practice) were identified. Using a qualitative synthesis, it was observed that many jurisdictions had legal frameworks establishing a duty of care for employers, designers/manufacturers/suppliers and employees. While no occupational authority policies focusing specifically on sedentary behaviour were found, relevant aspects of existing policies were identified. We highlight implications for ergonomics research and practice and recommend the development of policy to specifically address occupational sedentary behaviour and support workplace initiatives to assess and control the risks of this emergent hazard.

Address: School of Physiotherapy and Exercise Science, Curtin University, Perth, Australia.; School of Human Movement and Nutrition Sciences, The University of Queensland, Brisbane, Australia.; The University of Queensland, School of Public Health, Brisbane, Australia; Baker IDI Heart and Diabetes Institute, Melbourne, Australia; School of Physiotherapy and Exercise Science, Curtin University, Perth, Australia.; The University of Queensland, School of Public Health, Brisbane, Australia; Baker IDI Heart and Diabetes Institute, Melbourne, Australia; School of Public Health and Preventive Medicine, Monash University, Melbourne, Australia; School of Exercise and Nutrition Sciences, Deakin University, Melbourne, Australia; Department of Medicine, Monash University, Melbourne, Australia; School of Sport Science, Exercise and Health, The University of Western Australia, Perth, Australia; Mary MacKillop Institute for Health Research, Australian Catholic University, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia.; School of Physiotherapy and Exercise Science, Curtin University, Perth, Australia. Electronic address: [email protected].

DOI: 10.1016/j.apergo.2016.12.010

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MeSH Terms: Ergonomics, Guidelines as Topic, Health Policy, Humans, Motor Activity, Movement, Occupational Health, Qualitative Research, Workplace