EBLO organizes OV occupational health and safety information day

'Sit well, sit better' 

We use this phrase regularly. The majority of the working population performs his or her function sitting most of the day, but are we responsible? Because EBLO supplies seats to various public transport companies and also regularly provides seating advice (on location) to bus drivers in particular, we notice that there is a great need for good seating advice. To give more attention to the importance of sitting well, EBLO organized an instructive ARBO day for employees and board members working in public transport. 

Various speakers were discussed, including Henk Willem van der Kamp. Van der Kamp is a recognized orthopedic manual therapist and physiotherapist with 38 years of experience as a posture and movement expert and supervisor of the Dutch Olympic team.

Evert Mallie, technical ergonomist and director of EBLO welcomed everyone and kicked off the afternoon with an introduction about EBLO. The ISO-certified EBLO has been an expert in the field of seats and seating for 40 years. This ranges from small seats for a forklift truck to driver seats for the tram, to even large crane seats. 

ISRI is the best-known brand of driver seats for trucks and public transport, such as (city) buses. EBLO has been an importer of this German brand for several years. Trucks and buses from well-known brands such as Mercedes and DAF are fitted with ISRI seats as standard.

Because driver seats have many adjustment options, drivers often do not know what all the buttons are for. That is why there is regular demand for instructions on how to adjust the seat. We also advise which sitting position is best to adopt. 

With the help of a pressure mat, Ergonomist Jan Berrevoets made it clear what the pressure distribution is like when the driver is sitting on the seat. Ideal is to distribute the pressure evenly over the bottom and thighs. However, what is almost always the case is that the pressure is more on the back part of the pillow. In this case, one is sitting a little too far back. To best distribute the pressure over the bottom and thighs, the seat cushion should be tilted forward. This way of sitting is also called the 'new sitting'.

Henk Willem van der Kamp responded to this with his vision of the 'new sitting'. Seating behavior should change. 50 to 80% of the population has (had) back pain. This is usually (in)directly a result of poor sitting posture. With the seat cushion inclined forward, a natural posture is automatically assumed by the back and pelvis. A hollow back forms, in an S-shape. Characteristic of this sitting position is that the knees are lower than the hip. 

The best sitting position is an alternating sitting position, also known as 'dynamic sitting'. So change your attitude every now and then. And try, if possible, to walk a bit in between, or at least to move. This gives the back a rest and the back does not experience the same pressure on the intervertebral disc for hours.

Finally, Marcel Kool spoke about vibrations. Every vehicle experiences movement and vibrations, whether through bumps, an uneven road or just by accelerating the vehicle. Fortunately, the suspension system of the seat and the seat cushion reduce a large part of these vibrations. Unless, for example, the seat cushion has lost its resilience and density due to too long and intensive use. It is therefore important to keep the cushion in good condition by, for example, replacing the seat cushion or providing it with new foam after a certain number of kilometers. 

We thank all visitors for their interest in this OV ARBO information day. 

Want to know more?

For more information, also watch the  video that was made as a result of this informative afternoon!