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Office staff 'need their exercise'

19/12/2008

Workers in office environments need to make sure they get regular breaks from their computer and integrate exercise into their day, according to one expert.

Almost all positions have need of a computer and many workers spend hours on end facing their screen.

"Practically everything from emailing and filing to finding out what you are going to do in the evening, to booking your sandwich at lunch is done on the computer," said Tom Stewart, joint managing director of health and safety firm System Contacts.

Without activity there is a real danger workers will just "end up trapped with your eyes on the screen, hands on the keyboard, bum on the seat", he warned.

With so much time spent seated it is easy for workers to suffer from back pain, should they ignore health and safety advice.

The National Health Service has recommended workers take regular breaks, adjust their desks and support their back with an adjustable chair.

 

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