Understanding the Issue
Ernesto, a security guard at a self-service store, spends his entire workday on his feet. He experiences leg fatigue and has varicose veins, a condition exacerbated by prolonged standing. Many workers in similar roles, such as servers, floor salespersons, and product demonstrators, face similar physical challenges due to their job requirements.
Introducing the Ley Silla
On June 17, the Ley Silla (Chair Law) amendments to the Federal Labor Law came into effect. These changes aim to grant workers like Ernesto the right to rest and recover by allowing them to sit during their workday, explains Sergio Aguilar, a senior occupational health and ergonomics consultant.
Risks of Prolonged Standing
Alejandra Silva García, a scholar at UNAM’s Public Health Department, explains that prolonged standing without posture changes can lead to biomechanical overload, primarily affecting the lower extremities. This can cause localized muscle fatigue, lower back and neck pain, and musculoskeletal disorders.
Moreover, prolonged standing can worsen varicose veins and increase the risk of long-term cardiovascular diseases due to sustained static positioning.
Going Beyond Providing a Chair
While the Ley Silla mandates rest periods, it’s crucial to specify chair characteristics for optimal ergonomic benefits. Sergio Aguilar suggests that a truly ergonomic chair should have adjustable features to accommodate workers’ anthropometric conditions.
Alejandra Silva García emphasizes that chair features are vital. A rest chair for standing workers should have a slightly forward-inclined seat, a downward-facing backrest for lumbar support, and stability. Avoid chairs with wheels, as they may introduce new risks.
Importance and Limitations of Ley Silla
The Ley Silla is a significant step towards recognizing the right to postural rest during strenuous workdays. However, it shouldn’t be considered a standalone solution to occupational risks associated with prolonged standing.
For comprehensive risk mitigation, companies must conduct thorough ergonomic analyses and job-specific adaptations. Simply providing a chair might inadvertently create new risks, so it’s essential for businesses to consult ergonomic specialists to avoid unnecessary investments.
Key Questions and Answers
- What is the Ley Silla? The Ley Silla is a set of amendments to Mexico’s Federal Labor Law, granting workers the right to rest and recover by allowing them to sit during their workday.
- What are the risks of prolonged standing? Prolonged standing without posture changes can lead to biomechanical overload, causing localized muscle fatigue, lower back and neck pain, and musculoskeletal disorders. It can also worsen varicose veins and increase the risk of long-term cardiovascular diseases.
- What makes an ergonomic chair? An ergonomic chair should have adjustable features to accommodate workers’ anthropometric conditions, including a slightly forward-inclined seat, a downward-facing backrest for lumbar support, and stability. Avoid chairs with wheels.
- Is the Ley Silla a complete solution? No, the Ley Silla is a significant step but should be complemented with thorough ergonomic analyses and job-specific adaptations to effectively mitigate occupational risks associated with prolonged standing.
- Why consult ergonomic specialists? Consulting ergonomic specialists helps businesses avoid unnecessary investments and ensures that chair provisions don’t inadvertently create new risks.
