The Importance of Development Student’s Health and Safety Guidelines for Sitting in The Classroom: A Brief Overview
Zamzarina Ahmad1*, Norhazaedawati Baharuddin1, Nor Liza Mat Yasok1, Juliwar Idrus1, Mohd Ridzuan Samsury1, Noridah Tahir1
1 Malaysian Timber Industry Board, Malaysia
*Corresponding Author: [email protected] Accepted: 15 November 2022 | Published: 1 December 2022
DOI:https://doi.org/10.55057/ijares.2022.4.4.2
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Abstract: Research has linked prolonged sitting will cause several health concerns. Our bodies are designed to move, and research has shown that sedentary lifestyles increase health risks. In addition, musculoskeletal disorders (MSD), diabetes, cancers, cardiovascular diseases, and sedentary lifestyles can lead to premature mortality. Sitting between 4 - 8 hours will indicate a medium risk of sitting disease and sitting between 8 - 11 hours will demonstrate high trouble of sitting disease. In Malaysia, Guidelines on Occupational Safety and Health for Seating at Work were developed for workers, but unfortunately, this guideline does not include primary and secondary school students. This situation causes many discrepancies in school furniture's provision and specification requirements.
Keywords: school furniture, ergonomic, furniture industry, prolonged sitting, musculoskeletal disorder, discomfort, sitting disease
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1. Introduction
The statistics of students in Malaysia in 2020 is as many as 4,987,401 people include students at the pre-school, primary and secondary levels (Ministry of Education Malaysia, 2020).
Students in Malaysia have been sitting for almost 8 hours a day to carry out learning activities in the classroom. This situation will contribute to the risk of sitting disease, which can cause various health problems in the long term.
Musculoskeletal disorder (MSD) is an injury or pain that affects the human musculoskeletal system, such as muscles, ligaments, tendons, nerves, and joints (Bridger, 2017; Jun, Li, & Mao, 2015). Its contributing factors include the adaptation of an awkward posture, extreme force exertion, repetitive action, and contact stress (Bridger, 2017). Studies have found that scoliosis is part of MSD symptoms that can be experienced by two to three per cent of the population, which is about 600,000 to 900,000 residents. What is more troubling is that this condition is usually experienced by teenagers between the ages of 10 and 17, where a jump in their growth rate occurs (Dr Lim Sze Wei, 2021).
In Malaysia, a comprehensive guideline has been created to help employees carry out work activities safely through the Guidelines on Occupational Safety and Health for Seating at Work.
Some of these guidelines ensure that employers, employees, office furniture designers, and the industry can comply with all safety guidelines that have been prepared based on the following criteria.
2.1 Design of Seating 2.1.1. Seat
The seat needs to adjust the height to meet the needs of a range of users. The seat size needs to be wide enough to seat big people comfortably and deep enough to support the legs of tall people, but not so deep that shorter workers cannot use the backrest. The surface of the seat should not be hollowed or profoundly shaped, making it harder to get up or change position.
Figure 1: Office Chair
2.1.2. Backrest
The backrests should support the lower and middle back of the employee. An adjustable backrest is recommended unless the current chair backrest can fully support the worker's back.
Figure 2: Office Chair Backrest
2.1.3 Durability
Seating at work has a tough life. It is often subject to use for long periods at a time. Both for safety and durability, seating must be solid and stable. So, the design and construction of the seat should follow an equivalent standard to eliminate any design or manufacturing weakness that could cause sudden failure and possible injury.
Figure 3: Recommended chair dimensions (HSG, 2011)
With these guidelines, employers can indirectly ensure that employees can perform tasks better and can provide a more comprehensive work area.
3. School Furniture in Malaysia
In Malaysia, there are no clear guidelines that can be used as a guide in the supply of school furniture throughout Malaysia. The variety of school furniture designs in Malaysia indirectly has a disproportionate impact on the health and safety of school students.
The continued use of furniture from inconsistent designs can have long-term effects on students. In addition to potentially experiencing health problems and back pain, students can also lose focus in learning sessions.
Figure 4: School Chair and Desk from Wooden in Malaysia
4. The classroom is the student's workplace
The classroom is one of our most important workplaces. With ergonomic furniture, the classroom becomes a positive working environment with learning and personal development at the centre. It is a matter of creating a varied and flexible environment that supports the various needs and abilities of both pupils and teachers.
Study shows forty (40) per cent of pupils don't feel comfortable sitting on their chairs, and at the same time fifty (50) per cent of them think that the physical environment is important, or even decisive, for how they feel at school. Their teachers agree: two out of three teachers think that the physical environment is important for the pupils' performance." (Anders Larsson, Kinnarps)
The combination of ergonomic school chairs and desks is essential in ensuring better student sitting posture and increasing the level of focus in the classroom. A more flexible design can support the learning process and increase the level of student creativity when learning.
Figure 5: Classroom in United Kingdom (www.theguardian.com)
5. Conclusion
With these guidelines in place, the procurement of school furniture in Malaysia can be implement more systematically. In addition, the design used by school students in Malaysia is safer and can prevent students from getting involved with spinal problems and other health effects. Schools in Malaysia need to reconsider the classroom layout so that the learning environment can be implement efficiently.
References
Dunstan, D. W., & Owen, N. (2012). New exercise prescription: don't just sit there: stand up and move more, more often: comment on “sitting time and all-cause mortality risk in 222 497 Australian adults”. Archives of internal medicine, 172(6), 500-501.
Watanabe, J. (2019). Health Risks Involved with Prolonged Sitting: Spreading Awareness to College Students
Department of Occupational Safety And Health Ministry of Human Resources (2003).
Guidelines on Occupational Safety And Health for Seating at Work
Kementerian Pendidikan Malaysia (2020). Statistik Pelajar Sekolah Rendah dan Menengah Tahun 2020.
Anders Larsson, Kinnarps. How Do You Create Good Ergonomics at School?
