Making ‘dynamic working' the new normal for people with a desk-based profession. That is the objective of the annual campaign launched by the VerV (Beroepsvereniging voor Ergonomie) and the Flemish Institute for Healthy Living (Vlaams Instituut Gezond Leven). From the 5th to the 9th of October, both organisations call for more and regular exercise during desk-based work. A campaign that we fully support at Mensura.

According to the 2020 key figures for ergonomics, as many as 6 in 10 (57%) Belgian employees experience health problems due to physical strain at work. Construction, healthcare, production and logistics are the usual suspects. Many other employees, however - often so-called video display unit workers - also report complaints. With the latter, the culprit is sitting at a desk for prolonged periods. In 3 out of 4 of these jobs (74%), sitting encompasses more than a quarter of the working hours, according to the same survey.

The VerV and the Flemish Institute for Healthy Living want to turn that tide and initiate a campaign for 'dynamic working': standing and moving briefly every half hour while conducting desk work. A simple measure, but one whose positive effects shouldn’t be underestimated. Physical health, and consequently the concentration and productivity, are boosted.

Dynamic working does not require significant energy or far-reaching changes. Making an upright phone call, fetching a glass of water, going to a colleague rather than sending an email... These are just a few examples, regardless of whether your employees are working in the office or at home.

Accept the challenge

Have your employees post a photo on social media between 5 and 9 October demonstrating how they are applying dynamic working with #dynamicworking. Who knows, they may win an ergonomic stool from Health2Work.

The timing of this campaign is no coincidence: October is the month of ergonomics. The Belgian Cardiological League will also launch its annual Please Stand Up-campaign. From 19 to 30 October, will challenge organisations to stand while working and make them aware of the risks of prolonged sitting.

Healthy employees are more energetic, more productive, and less prone to absenteeism. In addition to mental well-being and motivation, physical fitness is essential to workplace vitality (Dutch or French). At Mensura we help you investigate your workstations and processes to identify potential points of concern in terms of ergonomics. We then guide you in translating the advice into concrete solutions.

Ergonomic measures will only have an optimum effect if every member of your organisation actually knows, understands and applies them correctly. In our training courses and workshops, your employees learn to recognise, reduce or prevent the risks of video display unit work. At the office or their home office.

Would you like to take inventory of the working conditions of your VDU employees or conduct a risk analysis? That's possible with Mensura’s e-Survey and e-Coach display work.