Lean into shop floor health

Unsurprisingly, standing for a majority of your shift on the shop floor can take its toll on the youngest and healthiest of us. As reported by the National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH), prolonged standing in the workplace can lead to serious health problems for workers who do so on a daily basis. After reviewing the study “Evidence of Health Risks Associated with Prolonged Standing at Work and Intervention Effectiveness,” NIOSH found ample evidence that shows that prolonged standing at work — primarily in one place — can put you at a high risk for low back pain, physical fatigue, leg swelling, tiredness and body part discomfort.

These health problems come with real consequences, according to the European Agency for Safety and Health at Work, which published an article called “Musculoskeletal disorders (MSDs) and prolonged static standing.” The article, which identified fatigue itself is a consequence, noted that fatigue in your legs has been shown to increase the risk of falling due to slipping and tripping.

Image courtesy of Human Balance and Stability Systems

Enter necessity, the mother of invention.

Cathy and Jerry Sitek, who owned and operated a machine shop in Warren, Michigan, knew they had to find a solution for themselves when they realized the fatigue they endured had begun to impact their performance and productivity. The result was the StandRite-Pro™, a device that provides balance, stability and leverage for employees who stand while they work. Within weeks of using their own prototype, they reported having more energy and less pain while performing their usual duties. Within months, they reported feeling no back pain at all.

The Siteks formed Human Balance and Stability (HBS) Systems in 2016 and patented the StandRite-Pro, which is said to provide a 31.8% reduction in lower back torque. Though their machine shop shut down when COVID-19 hit, HBS Systems lives on.

But how does the StandRite-Pro work?