[MCOH-EH] [EXTERNAL] Re: Balance balls and Treadmills in the Workplace

[Awosika, Ebi]

Hi,

Thanks, Michael. We have supported a variety of health and well-being
projects and programs for our employees. One of those programs is
decreasing physical inactivity, through the use of stairwells, fitness
classes, gyms, walking paths, fit balls and walking workstations
(working treadmills).
                We have funded hundreds of these devices in VHA
facilities across the country. Prior to using the equipment there is a
self-assessment that people must complete to make sure that they do not
have any safety issues due to their health. We also provide some basic
information (Tips) to folks before they use the different equipment. We
actually evaluated the use of assistive sitting devices (fitballs),
attached. We did not have any injuries in the three sites we piloted
them across VHA, although that is not to say that injuries cannot occur.
We now have employees that have used them across VHA for years. We do
encourage their use and recommend that new users of fitballs  increase
use over time as there can be some discomfort in the rear initially when
used for prolonged periods.

We did have one incident of latex allergy on the fit ball and a ball
that burst with no injuries. 

The walking workstations are placed in administrative areas, such as
libraries, fiscal service, Human Resources etc. where multiple employees
share the device.  Employees sign up to use the walkstations for a few
hours every day.  Providers use the walkstations during lunch, and/or
when they are writing their notes at the end of the day, or placing
calls.  We have placed them in call centers as well, where staff members
use the computer and the phone as they walk.

                Basically the idea is to get people out of their chairs
because there is a mountain of research that shows sitting is bad for
your health.  Prior to using the equipment there is a self-assessment
that people must complete to make sure that they do not have any safety
issues due to their health. We also provide some basic information
(Tips) to folks before they use the walkstation.  They must wear
appropriate shoes (no high heels), and wear the safety clip at all times
when on the station.  We have not had a single injury reported---but we
have had quite a few positive stories about weight loss, feeling better,
less back or joint pain, etc.


Ebi Awosika, MD, MPH
Director VHA Employee Health & Wellbeing 
Acting Director VA Drug Testing Program
Occupational Health Services (10P4Z),
Office of Patient Care Services,
Veterans Health Administration
Voice: 612-467-4589
Fax: 612-467-3708




-----Original Message-----
From: MCOH-EH [mailto:mcoh-eh-bounces at mylist.net] On Behalf Of Hodgson,
Michael - OSHA
Sent: Tuesday, December 15, 2015 8:39 AM
To: MCOH/EH
Subject: [EXTERNAL] Re: [MCOH-EH] Balance balls and Treadmills in the
Workplace

VHA had supported balance balls and walking workstations and actually
fared quite well for a few years.  I left in 2012 but have asked the
current employee health promotion chief, Ebi Awosika, MD, for an update

Michael Hodgson, MD
Formerly VHA Employee occupational Health Chief Consultant -----Original
Message-----
From: MCOH-EH [mailto:mcoh-eh-bounces at mylist.net] On Behalf Of Birkholz,
Brenda M
Sent: Monday, December 14, 2015 6:05 PM
To: mcoh-eh at mylist.net
Subject: Re: [MCOH-EH] Balance balls and Treadmills in the Workplace

We don't allow balance balls to be used as chairs in the work place for
safety reasons:  can rupture without warning, no adjustments possible,
unstable by design, fall risk, etc.  Leadership is aware of this stance.
We do not have any treadmill workstations in place at present.  Our
Wellness Committee has looked into this but space is a problem at this
time.  We were looking at a location where people would sign in and out
to use a treadmill workstation rather than providing any for
individuals; but never got to the point of putting this in place.   Will
be interested in others' practices related to the treadmill
workstations. 

Brenda Birkholz, MPH, RN, COHN-S
Manager, Occupational Health and Out-Patient Education Hutchinson Health
1095 Hwy #15 S
Hutchinson, MN  55350
Ph: 320-484-4502
Fax: 320-484-4643

----------------------------------------------------------------------

Message: 1
Date: Mon, 14 Dec 2015 15:51:51 +0000
From: "Brandt, Rita" <RBRANDT at LakelandHealth.org>
To: "mcoh-eh at mylist.net" <mcoh-eh at mylist.net>
Subject: [MCOH-EH] Balance balls and Treadmills in the Workplace
Message-ID:
	
<053B6D47E509B84AA6905A76F0220EB501AF4E0B9E at RDSVMBD.lakelandregional.org
>
	
Content-Type: text/plain; charset="us-ascii"

We have been receiving an increase in request for associates to utilize
balance balls and treadmills at their workstation.
While we are all about healthy lifestyles, exercise, and proper posture,
we also are concerned with the increased risk of injury.

Please share how your organization handles these requests. If you have a
policy and care to share, please do so.

Thank you!

Rita Brandt, MSN, RN
Manager, Associate Health and Wellness

Lakeland Health
1234 Napier Avenue
St. Joseph, MI 49085
p-269-983-8468
c-269-930-4941
f-269-934-8079


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---------------------------------------
The MCOH-EH List is moderated by Joe Fanucchi MD FACOEM and Mike Band
DO.
List membership is free, but only subscribers may post to the list.
To post send messages to: mcoh-eh at mylist.net
To become a subscriber, or to change your subscription options (turn off
email while you're on vacation, etc):   http://www.mcoh-eh.net
MediTrax / Occupational Health Systems, Inc. provides financial support
to ensure the list remains a free resource for the occupational health
community.
---------------------------------------
List archives (public): http://mylist.net/archives/mcoh-eh/
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Send administrative requests to: drjoe at meditrax.com
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