Tag Archives: changes

General Safety Issues, Health Issues

HOW TO COMMIT TO LIFETIME HEALTH AND FITNESS TO AVOID HEART DISEASE (GUEST POST)

If you want to maximize the quality of your health now while potentially fighting off heart disease in the future, it is first important to look at the lifestyle you are living now. Once you have analyzed your life for places that need a healthier improvement, you will know the types of changes you must make in order to become a healthier person while reducing your risk of heart disease. If you need help figuring out what types of changes are necessary for you to maintain great body and heart health, the following information may help you out. 

1. Quit Smoking

This is probably an obvious bit of information, but smoking is really bad for your health. Not only can smoking cause lung problems, but it can cause a variety of other problems including heart trouble. It does not matter how many years you have smoked because once you stop the damage you have already done will begin to heal. If you truly want to stay healthy while protecting your heart from harm, quit smoking as soon as possible. 
2. Drink Moderately
Recent studies have shown that a once daily glass of beer or wine is actually beneficial to the heart. If you like to drink and you often drink way more than the beneficial amount of alcohol, alcohol can be extremely damaging to your body and the health of your heart. If you drink more than the beneficial amount of alcohol per day, it is wise to cut down on your alcohol intake if you want to protect your heart. 
3. Exercise
If you truly want to create a lifetime of health that will help you avoid heart disease, you must exercise. You don’t have to join a gym to get the exercise you need, simply taking a walk will do. Any type of energy you exert during the day, be it while housecleaning, or from a jog around the neighborhood, exercise is an important way to stay healthy while fighting off heart disease. 
4. Good Diet
What you eat is very important to the overall health of your body and your heart. If you have a diet that consists mainly of fast food or other unhealthy, vitamin lacking meals, you can do damage not only to your body, but also to your heart. Try to make sure that your diet is full of food rich in the important vitamins and minerals that are essential to good health. What you eat can have a drastic impact on the health of your heart so if you want to protect it, you need to eat healthier. 
 
Heart disease is one of the leading causes of death. While it may be a horrible disease to have which can seriously endanger your life, the good news is that you have the power save your heart health. By committing to a lifetime of health and fitness techniques that will keep both your body and heart healthy, you will be committing to a lifetime of good health.
 
Peter Larnick writes about health, finance & more at www.lifeinsurancequotes.org
 
If we could only teach our children to stay away from the junk food and exercise more, we’d see a healthier group of young people, too! pb  Thank you for this excellent article, teaching us the simple basics of a healthy life. pb

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The University of Great Content
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PROTECTING OLDER WORKERS

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According to the U.S. Census Bureau, 330 baby boomers turn 60 every day!  There are almost 78 million persons who are considered baby boomers – those born from 1946 to 1964.  Estimates are that all but the youngest ones will reach retirement age by the year 2018.  With the state of our economy, however, older workers are still going strong, well past retirement age. 

Manufacturing companies and other industries may have trouble filling the jobs held by many types of skilled workers due to the fact that younger workers are looking for white-collar (non-manufacturing) positions.  It is imperative that companies look ahead and support their current base as well as attract new workers.  Companies that can meld all ages into their work- force will be successful with productivity, competitiveness, and safety.  Knowledge that can be passed on from older workers to younger ones in ample time is very important. 

Although older workers normally don’t sustain injuries as often as less-experienced ones, recovery time may take longer.  According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, workers 65 and older may experience an absence time of 16 days, compared to 6 days for workers ages 25-34.  Of course, this depends on the extent of the injury.  An older worker may fracture a bone, rather than experience a sprain or strain, at an earlier age. 

Companies must be mindful that as bodies change, accommodations to their jobs can be made.  Cross-departmental risk assessments can be beneficial, as different groups working together can  furnish fresh pairs of eyes that are able to spot safety issues in new ways.   The training process of new workers is of the utmost importance.  Including the experienced workers into that training process will afford the new employee a “first-hand view” of the job involved.   If it is felt that the older worker has some physical problems, the company can offer him/her alternate tasks, especially those that require repetitive movements during a full shift.  Another option is to ask older workers if they are interested in part-time shifts or job-sharing. 

Annual health screenings are very important, both to companies and employees alike.  Those companies who strive for 100% participation in these screenings will benefit from them.  Especially if they are held during work time, employees will be more likely to participate.  On-site exercise equipment is also a great way to encourage workers (young and old) to stay in shape. 

We all know the importance of wearing the right Personal Protective Equipment.  Experienced workers could be asked to demonstrate to new employees the types of equipment that are required in their particular job, and stress the importance of wearing and maintaining their PPE.  They can explain that they wear it every day – whether it’s goggles, earplugs, OSHA safety glasses, gloves, or any other type of PPE, in order to protect themselves.  They, along with safety leaders, can give details of the hazards that exist.   Sometimes, hearing it from someone who has seen incidents or been involved in accidents, can make a greater impact on a new employee. 

As mentioned earlier, we see more and more of the “chronologically-gifted workforce,” and are thankful for it.  There are many folks well past the baby boomers that get up and go to work every day.  There are many reasons – some simply enjoy staying active and others work because they can use the extra money, or both!  Older workers bring knowledge and experience to businesses.  They are dedicated to their work, and have positive attitudes toward their work and coworkers.  They set a good example to keep the “youngsters” going!  We must keep them and all workers safe!