It doesn’t matter if you work in an office or have a manual job, various hazards can impact your health and safety at work, such as slip and fall accidents, neck pain, or an overuse injury.
While your employer has a duty of care for your safety and well-being at work, there are steps you can take to avoid an accident, injury, or illness. Learn how to protect your health at work.
Avoid Tension Neck Syndrome
If you spend much of the working day on the phone or at a computer, you will have a greater risk of developing tension neck syndrome (TNS). According to the National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences, health issues can develop if a person sits in an awkward, fixed position for a long period.
Prevent TNS by paying close attention to your posture during the working day. Try to avoid bending your neck to one side for a long time, which can stop muscle tightness, neck and shoulder pain, and tenderness. Also, ask your employer for a headset, shoulder cradle, or speakerphone to improve your comfort and posture.
Care for Your Vision
Good vision is essential in many professions. For example, a construction worker will have a greater risk of an accident on-site if they have poor eyesight. If your vision has deteriorated or you rely on glasses or contact lenses each day, you could restore your vision with PRK Brisbane laser eye surgery. As you will be able to see clearly, you can avoid various hazards in the workplace, which can help you remain safe at work.
Take a Break During the Work Day
Your job cannot only affect your physical health, but could lead to the development of depression, anxiety, or a low mood. According to a recent survey by Mental Health America, 71% of respondents strongly agreed that their work affects their mental health.
If you often need to tackle a lengthy task list or your employer is a little demanding, you must take a break during the working day to lower your stress levels and improve your mood. For example, you could:
- Go for a walk on your lunch break
- Make yourself a cup of coffee
- Call a loved one
- Play a fun game on your smartphone
- Play with an evil eye ring
Stay Hygienic
As you will know, illnesses can quickly spread across the workplace. Avoid sickness by staying hygienic throughout the day. For example, you should keep a bottle of hand sanitizer at your desk, which you should use after touching door handles, a communal coffee machine, or shaking someone’s hand. Also, you should bring your mug and cutlery to use at work to avoid sharing the items with colleagues.
Wear the Correct PPE
Personal protective equipment (PPE) can keep you safe at work, so it's important to browse websites to find what you need. Even if an item feels uncomfortable, the clothing or accessories could prevent an unnecessary accident or even a serious or fatal injury.
Familiarize yourself with the PPE you must wear in your role to ensure you remain safe on-site, such as protective eyewear (goggles or safety glasses), respiratory protective equipment (RPE), or protective clothing (hi-vis jackets, safety helmets, etc.).
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