Tag Archives: Health

General Safety Issues

CREATING A HEALTHY WORKPLACE, PART I

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As we come to the end of the year, our thoughts turn to making the same resolutions that we usually make each new year, such as losing weight, quitting bad habits, etc.  How about a different and new resolution?  One that both companies and employees alike would make: to create a healthier workplace for everyone?  There’s always room for improvement –  regardless of policies that are already in place.  Let’s talk about this important issue. 

According to the World Health Organization, “Personal and social codes of behavior and ethics are the foundation of every major religious and moral philosophy.  One of the most basic of universally accepted ethical principles is to “do no harm” to others in the workplace.  This means to ensure employees’ health and safety.”  The World Health Organization’s definition of health is “A state of complete physical, mental and social well-being and not merely absence of disease.”  

Does this definition fit your workplace?  Everyone wins when they have a healthy workplace: the employer, who provides a safe physical work environment to prevent occupational diseases, accidents and injuries, while promoting healthy lifestyles and encouraging personal development.  Employers should have leadership that can  allow workers to meet job demands and control the workload to ensure that those workers are able to balance both their work and personal responsibilities.  They should establish principles of work that will prevent stress and ill health. 

Data demonstrates that in the long term, companies that promote and protect workers’ health are rewarded by retaining those employees, and are more successful and competitive than companies that don’t.  Employers should consider these important factors:

  • Cost of prevention versus costs resulting from accidents;
  • Financial consequences of legal violation of health, safety, and occupational rules and laws;
  • Workers health as an important business asset for the company. 

Of course, the other winners are the employees.  If health initiatives are in the workplace, employees will enjoy greater job satisfaction, being able to balance work and family responsibilities, all the while enjoying a sense of pride and well-being.  Companies will see a reduction in work-related illness, injury and disability when they enforce good safety and health policies. 

Employees who have to face unreasonable deadlines become overwhelmed and out of control, which can elevate stress levels and possibly lead to depression.  They think that their load can be handled better if they are able to do part of their work at home, such as using their laptop, or staying late at the office to catch up.  This takes away from their family and free time, and is a hard habit to break, once they start.  Workers should have the ability to negotiate their workload with their supervisor without fear of reprisal or punishment.  They should be given tasks to do that afford the opportunity to apply their skills and knowledge effectively with colleagues and managers while in a safe and healthy environment.  They are entitled to have the tools to get their job done efficiently and receive fair pay with benefits.  Those employees who are satisfied with their work environment will be more productive and make a better contribution to the company’s success. 

Please stay tuned: tomorrow we will keep talking about ways that will be beneficial both to employers and employees by creating a healthy workplace.

Source: World Health Organization, Centers for Disease Control, Canadian Centre for Occupational Health and Safety

Health Issues

OBESITY IN THE WORKPLACE

Obesity in the workplace is a part of a growing national trend, one that is getting larger at an alarming rate. The cost of obesity in the workplace is in the billions of dollars every year, due to the ill health of millions of employees. Companies who struggle with this problem and take a pro-active stance toward it will be ahead of the curve, not only by saving money, but providing a healthier workplace environment for their employees.

What weight is considered obese? 

  •       Persons who are 30 – 40 pounds overweight are considered obese.
  •       Severe obesity is 60 pounds overweight.
  •       Morbidly obese being 100 lbs. over normal weight.
  •       Super obese is 200 plus pounds overweight.

These classifications aren’t flattering, causing many overweight persons to feel that they are discriminated against because of their weight.  Race, gender, age, disability, religion, and now obesity are reasons that persons may feel  discriminated against. 

There can be many reasons for being overweight.  Some are genetic, caused by certain health issues, or lack of exercise, and eating unhealthy foods.  This problem is going to continue if our schools don’t serve healthy foods and require physical education for youngsters.  It should be a given that kids “get out and play an hour a day.”  Parents should strive to start their families out with a healthy breakfast, and choose fruits and vegetables rather than fast food on a regular basis.  It’s a proven fact that there are more obese youngsters than in past generations.

Regardless, no one should be bullied, harassed, or humiliated because of their size.  People that are obese have a higher risk of heart disease, diabetes, arthritis, cancer, gall bladder disease, lung and breathing problems, and early death.  As of now, Michigan is the only state that declares discrimination of this sort as illegal.  There are no federal laws making it illegal.  Some cities do, though.  Through the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission and courts, persons diagnosed with morbid obesity may be seen as disabled, thereby possibly being protected under the Americans with Disabilities Amended Act of 2008.

Companies can achieve having healthier and happier employees through weight-loss plans, employee wellness programs, and/or health club memberships.  Planning a better environment,  such as healthy snacks in vending machines, less fast foods in the cafeteria, and holding health fairs would be good for everyone.  The programs should not be targeted toward certain groups, in order to be nondiscriminatory, but to all employees, and those who wish to enroll may do so on a voluntary basis.  Start up a group walking program during lunch break. Wear a pedometer to see how  any steps you take in a work-day.  If it’s not very many, we need to step it up when we get home!  (The recommended number of daily steps is 10,000.)  You may be surprised at just how much  or little walking you actually do each day.   The Centers for Disease Control report that obesity can cause chronic health issues that equal twenty years of aging. 

Let’s start parking the car a little farther from work, walk up stairs rather than take an elevator, and encourage others to do the same.  If you have a friend or family member that is overweight, offer to go to a wellness center or take a daily walk with them.  Possibly, you can get them started on a healthy path, and reap the benefits, as well.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

General Safety Issues

AN IMPORTANT JOINT TO PROTECT

We’re not talking about the local bar and grill here, but the shoulder!  Have you ever thought about how much we take our bodies for granted, and the shoulder carries much of the burden.

It is one of the most sophisticated and complex joints of the body.  Some thirty muscles provide movement and stability to the shoulder complex.  Did you know that our shoulders have a 360° range of motion?  Because the ball of the arm is larger than the shoulder socket that holds it, muscles, tendons and ligaments serve as anchors to hold it together.

Shoulder injuries are common in athletes: baseball, basketball, tennis and football players, as well as golfers.  Persons who use their arms to work overhead such as construction workers, and painters often complain of shoulder pain.  Injuries to the shoulder are classified as sprains, dislocations, bursitis, tendinitis, arthritis, torn rotator cuffs, and general aging.

Shoulder problems are usually treated with RICE:

Rest – take breaks from the activity that is causing the problem.

Ice – to reduce pain and swelling.

Compression – wrap the area with Ace bandage, and use a sling for the first 48 hours.

Elevation – rest the injured/sore area on a pillow while applying ice anytime you are sitting or lying.

If symptoms occur such as numbness and tingling, range of motion decreases or does not return to normal after using this process, see your physician.

While using your arms for gardening, painting, or work, try alternating your hands if possible, and take frequent breaks.  Use correct lifting methods and avoid overuse of your arms.

Other tips that apply to protecting the rest of the body, as well as the arms and shoulders:

  • Keep your bones strong by doing weight-bearing exercise (such as walking), and including plenty of calcium and Vitamin D in your diet.
  • Don’t smoke.
  • If you are in sports, wear protective gear.
  • Don’t carry objects that are too heavy.
  • Use a stepladder rather than standing on an unstable chair.
  • When riding in a car, always fasten your seatbelt.
  • Cut down on caffeine, which can increase loss of calcium.

Someone may need to cry on your shoulder someday, so keep it strong!

General Safety Issues

PRESCRIPTION DRUG OVERDOSE PREVENTION

It’s a sad fact that almost twenty per cent of Americans have used prescription drugs (mostly pain killers) for non-medicinal reasons.  Some prescription painkillers have now surpassed heroin and cocaine as the leading cause of fatal overdoses.  According to a report by the Baltimore Sun, “drug use accounts for billions of dollars per year in health care costs.  Drug overdoses rank second only to motor vehicle crashes as the leading cause of accidental death.”  Adverse drug reactions from legally prescribed drugs cause about 106,000 deaths per year.

Hospitals have reported that poisonings by prescription sedatives and tranquilizers jumped 65% from 1999 to 2006.  One-third of addicts questioned report that their first drug experience was from prescription drugs.  Mixing multiple drugs is a serious health risk.  Ask your physician if you question the interactions between medicines you are taking.  Patients should read the label and information provided with a new prescription drug.  Your pharmacist can also advise you on drug interactions, if you take more than one.

We’re certainly not telling you to not take medications that were prescribed for you by your physician; however, you should report to your doctor any side effects you may have from a new medicine.  The main thing to keep in mind is to keep your prescription medications in a safe place.  If you have small children, of course, you will.  But if there are teens in your house, you should also take precautions.  If you are taking a pain killer, your teen may think it’s o.k. to experiment with it.  Many times they prefer to use a prescription drug recreationally, thinking it is safer than street drugs.  Don’t let your medicine cabinet become a “free” pharmacy!

June is National Safety Month.  This first weekly theme is “Prescription Drug Overdose Prevention.”  It is hoped that you will consider how serious this matter is.  Senior citizens may be confused about their medications and need help monitoring them.  We should be vigilant about prescription drugs in our homes and keep them in a place where they aren’t accessible to others.  The abuse of prescription drugs is as serious as abusing street drugs or alcohol.  That abuse can lead to serious illness, or death.

General Safety Issues

THE IMPORTANCE OF BEING PHYSICALLY FIT

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Because the month of May is National Physical Fitness and Sports Month, we want to talk about how important it is to take care of our bodies by being active.  President Dwight Eisenhower started the Presidents Council on Youth Fitness back in 1956, emphasizing the importance of ensuring that our youngsters were as physically fit as their European counterparts.  Through the years, different Presidents have given the project various titles, always emphasizing fitness of young people, followed later by promoting physical fitness of all ages.

According to findings by the following: The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, National Center for Health Statistics, Office of the Surgeon General, Call to Action to Prevent and Decrease Overweight and Obesity, and the Office of Disease Prevention and Health Promotion, we want to highlight some valuable information.

  • The ideal requirement for adults (18 or older) is 30 minutes of physical activity for 5 or more days per week, and children and teens should get 60 minutes of activity every day for their health.  Thirty to sixty minutes of activity may be broken into smaller segments of 10 or 15 minutes throughout the day to count toward your total exercise time.
  • Physically inactive people are twice as likely to develop coronary heart disease, the leading cause of death among U.S. men and women.
  • Inactivity and poor diet can lead to overweight/obesity.  This increases the risk for heart disease, high blood pressure, stroke, gallbladder, respiratory, diabetes, and other serious health problems.  Nearly 60 million Americans are obese.  Sixteen per cent of children and teens aged 6 to 19 are now 3 times more overweight in 2002, than in 1980.  The number of overweight children ages 2 to 5 has doubled since 1980.
  • Not all high school students participate in regular school physical education.  It is important that schools emphasize the need for physical education.
  • A study done by the National Association of Sports and Physical Education (NASPE,) shows that infants, toddlers, and pre-schoolers should engage in at least 60 minutes of physical activity daily, and should not be sedentary for more than 60 minutes at a time except when sleeping.
  • One-fourth of U.S. children spend 4 hours or more watching television daily.

In the old days, we would play outside with neighborhood kids until our parents called us in for supper (dinner).  We rode our bikes, roller-skated, played hopscotch, and did all kinds of activities, simply having fun, not knowing it would possibly have health benefits in later years.

Not all kids are into sports, but parents can do things with them, like taking them bowling, playing miniature golf, or doing other fun things that keep them moving.  It’s good for mom and dad, too!  By showing them there’s more to life than playing video games for hours, texting on a cell phone all day, or sitting in front of the television or computer, they will develop healthy habits for the rest of their lives.

It’s never too late for us grownups to locate a fitness center.  Just taking thirty or forty minutes out of your day to work out, or take a daily walk (cost is free), will be worth the effort.  Many companies and schools provide places for employees and students to exercise.  You don’t have to be a professional athlete, just get out those jogging shoes or barbells and see if you don’t feel better!  Last, but not least, choose healthy foods.

General Safety Issues

PASS ON THE SALT!

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Our goal is to encourage our readers to be safe in their every day lives; whether they are working or doing other activities.  Every once in a while, we enjoy presenting articles about health issues as well, because staying in good health allows us to enjoy life.  If we don’t feel well, we aren’t going to do a very good job for our employer.  And not doing a good job can compromise our safety as well as the safety of others.

“In the U.S., we eat more than twice as much salt per day as we really need,” said Dr. Lee Goldman of Columbia University.  “We found that increased salt intake in the U.S. is now as big a problem as cholesterol, almost as big a problem as smoking,” Dr. Goldman added.

A study in the New England Journal of Medicine estimates that cutting out just three grams of salt per day could prevent anywhere from 54,000 to 99,000 heart attacks and 32,000 to 66,000 strokes.  Three grams of salt equals ½ teaspoon.  The recommended daily salt intake is 3.7 to 5.8 grams. In the United States,  the average male consumes over 10 grams – or almost two teaspoons each day,  and the average female over seven grams.

The vast majority of salt in the American diet comes from processed foods, not from people adding it themselves.  Our bodies need a certain amount of salt, as its ingredients, sodium and chloride regulate the body’s fluid balance.  The body can require only 200 milligrams per day to stay healthy, depending on exercise and work conditions. The National Academy of Science recommends at least 500 mg but less than 2300 mg per day.  We all know that too much salt is harmful to your health. Researchers say that cutting one gram per day could be more cost effective than using medications to lower blood pressure in all those persons with hypertension.

How can we cut the salt? Start with salty snacks. The three most popular ones in America are loaded with it; potato and tortilla chips have almost half a gram in one serving and popcorn has nearly three quarters of a gram.  According to the New England Journal of Medicine’s report, probably 75% to 80% of dietary salt in the U.S. is “hidden” in processed foods.  Some fast food meals have almost three times the amount of salt needed in a day.  In addition to flavoring, salt adds to food preservation, so things such as soups, packaged meals, cottage cheese and packaged snacks contain high sodium levels.

To stay healthy, check the sodium content on food labels.  Use pepper, spices, herbs or lemon juice as seasonings instead of too much salt.  When eating a meal in a restaurant, I am guilty of sprinkling salt on my food before I even taste it!  But I am going to use this information to cut down on my salt intake, in order to keep my heart a little healthier.  I hope you will, too!

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NOTES ABOUT APRIL

On April 1st, we’ve probably all been the victims of innocent pranks, either at school, or our place of work.  It’s all in fun, and can’t be too bad for only one day.  Just remember to be ready for someone to try to trip you up on April Fools Day!

This week, Christians observe Good Friday on the 2nd of April, followed by Easter Sunday on the 4th.

Focusing on health, the month of April is Cancer Control Month, time to renew our commitment to fighting this dread disease by knowing more about prevention and early detection.  Persons are encouraged to adopt healthy lifestyles through exercise, proper diet, and regular checkups by their physician.  Go to www.cancer.org, or www.cancer.gov for in-depth information to learn about research and what you can do to stay healthy and help others.

Since 1987, April has been designated as Alcohol Awareness Month, to raise public consciousness and educate people about the devastating effects alcohol can have on our youth, individuals, and families.  In the U.S., the Number One drug choice for young people under age 21 is alcohol, according to the National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism.  Every day in America, 7,000 underage youths take their first drink.  The misuse of alcohol and drugs has a huge effect primarily on families; however, these problems carry over to the workplace, as well.  For more information on this problem, go to www.niaaa.nih.gov.   If you suspect a family member or co-worker is dealing with this problem, encourage him/her to get help.

Three other April reminders:
1.    Income tax filing deadline is the 15th.

2.    Earth Day is observed on the 22nd.

3.    Administrative Professionals are honored on their special day, the 22nd.

Although the first day of Spring occurred in March, April always brings feelings of new beginnings.  Enjoy your thirty days of April, and keep safety in mind when you start more outdoor activities.  When you get in the mood to do those outdoor chores, don’t be fooled. Wear your safety glasses when mowing or edging the grass and gloves for gardening and other tasks.

General Safety Issues

DEALING WITH STRESS

When you think of stress in the workplace, what type of work do you think of, other than your own?  I think of stressful situations in emergency services, medical, rescue, fire, and law enforcement.  Then there’s delivery people, who are rushed to get all their deliveries done on time, regardless of the miles they must drive in order to do so.  Whether you are at the top of the corporate ladder, or not, working under stress is a common part of the job description.  We know that some stress creates productivity, but too much is not a good thing.  Effective communication between supervisors and workers is the key to keeping things calm.

A tense part of a new employee’s job orientation is becoming acquainted with the culture of the workplace.  In addition to performing a new job, it’s difficult to learn the patterns of co-workers,.  Office politics or gossip in the workplace can lead to stressful conditions. Sophisticated technology that exists now – computers, cell phones, faxes, pagers, and the internet have created added expectations for fast and efficient productivity.  Employees are expected to learn new software often. Persons who operate heavy machinery or drive trucks are under constant pressure to be alert at all times.

Research has shown that it is as dangerous to be stressed or fatigued as to be legally intoxicated.  The current economic situation is one of the major reasons for stress in today’s workplace.  Companies have merged, restructured, or downsized, resulting in putting more demands on their workers.  Sometimes unhealthy and unreasonable pressures are put on workers who are expected to do the job of two persons instead of just one.  Some workplaces have persons who constantly harass other workers.  This should not be tolerated, and the person who is the victim should report it to their supervisor without fear of retribution.

We see “burnouts” in every walk of life.  Signs of burnout are when one can’t say “No” to added responsibilities, can’t delegate part of their work to others, (because they think only they can do that particular task), are under intense pressure most of the time, or are trying to do too much for too long.  Many workers can’t help but take their personal or family problems to work.  Living in a fast-paced world, it’s no wonder there are so many employees that just can’t take time to “stop and smell the roses”.

There are many ways to try to keep stress away: find a hobby that’s fun to do, that makes you forget about work.  Get some type of exercise.  Getting seven or eight hours of sleep regularly and eating healthy foods can help keep you in shape and ready for your days’ work.  When you need support, talk to family or friends.  Sometimes, just getting your worries off your chest will make you feel much better.

Take those appointed breaks while you are on the job!  Walk outside and get a whiff of fresh air! Think about it: in most workplaces, there’s no one that can’t be replaced.  Someone was there before you, and someone will replace you when you leave.  No job is worth ruining your health for; so try to chill out, be thankful that you have a job, and make it a pleasant experience each day.  By doing so, you may ease someone else’s stress, as well.

General Safety Issues, Respiratory Safety, Weather Protection

IT’S ALMOST TIME FOR THE WINTER OLYMPICS!

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If you are not among the lucky ones that are going to the spectacular country of Canada for the 2010 Winter Olympics, get out the hot chocolate, popcorn, candy and other goodies and get ready for some excitement and beautiful scenery.   British Columbia, Canada, is home to the 2010 Olympic Winter Games from February 12 through 28, and the Paralympic Winter Games from March 12 through 21.  Host venue cities are Vancouver, Whistler, and Richmond.  The official torch is already crossing Canada.

Officials have been preparing for months, and Canadians are excited to welcome athletes and fans from all over the world.  The government is taking serious precautions with safety, health and security concerns for all visitors and athletes, as well as their own citizens.

One of the health issues is the spread of the H1N1 virus.  The World Health Organization is sending a representative to monitor for potential disease outbreaks, but officials feel the threat has passed.  However, British Columbia health officials have been planning for the possible impact it would have on the games since before the pandemic was declared in June.  In their planning, they decided to keep a large supply of antiviral drugs on hand, just in case.

To avoid a major outbreak, the best practices are to continue with these sanitary protocols: washing hands often, covering coughs and sneezes, and when sick, don’t get out in public.  Persons traveling to the games need to be watchful for exposure to sick persons, and not touch surfaces if they can keep from it.  Those with children should be extra cautious in protecting them from the illness.  Keeping hand sanitizer in ones’ bag or purse will serve as a reminder to keep your hands clean.  First and foremost, persons planning to attend need to get both the seasonal flu shot and H1N1 shot.  Hopefully, the athletes will have had theirs.  More than 100 staffers of the U.S. Olympic Committee are getting their H1N1 vaccines before they head to Vancouver.  Athletes are saying there may be more “elbow bumps” than hand shaking this time!

The Canadian organizers of the games have contingency plans for staffing should the virus affect regular staff members.  A security team of 750 officers will be on stand-by in case of illness or emergency.  There is a pool of volunteers that can be ready in short-order time.  Although they can’t make it a requirement, all staff members and volunteers have been asked to take the vaccine.  Many teams are arriving this month, and will have the opportunity to take the vaccine in time for it to be effective, if they haven’t already taken it.  Public health nurses will be at the athletes’ villages, as well as venues, including hotels where officials and sponsors will stay to monitor for illnesses.

We wish the country of Canada much success in keeping athletes, their families, and all the visitors to the Olympics both safe and well.  There are many security issues that they are dealing with, as well as health concerns.  With the very best athletes representing their home countries, this is a time for focusing the eyes of the world toward the good sportsmanship that is displayed by those who have worked so very hard to achieve their goals.  We wish good traveling and health to all those who are fortunate to attend these Winter Olympics, in addition to the excitement of seeing the true beauty of Canada.

General Safety Issues, Respiratory Safety

TAKE PART IN THE “GREAT AMERICAN SMOKEOUT”

Smokers will think “Bah, humbug” when they hear about the Great American Smokeout planned for Thursday, November 19.  This is a day sponsored by the American Cancer Society back in 1977, and since that time, has encouraged tobacco smokers and chewers to quit for the day, and hopefully, forever.  The Smokeout draws attention to deaths and health damage caused by smoking.  It has also contributed to bans on smoking in workplaces and restaurants, increased taxes on cigarettes, limitations on cigarette promotions in the media, attempts to discourage teen smoking, and other countless actions to reduce tobacco use.

There are approximately 46 million Americans that continue to smoke.  According to the CDC, 440,000 deaths and $193 billion in health care costs and lost production occur annually.

Here are some facts from the U.S. Surgeon General and American Cancer Society that point out the benefits of quitting:

  • Your heart rate and blood pressure drop 20 minutes after quitting.
  • Your circulation improves and your lung function increases within 2 weeks to 3 months after quitting.
  • The carbon monoxide level in your blood drops to normal 12 hours after quitting.
  • One to nine months after quitting, coughing and shortness of breath decrease; normal function in the lungs is regained, which reduces the risk of infection.
  • One year after quitting, the risk of coronary heart disease is half that of a smoker’s.
  • Five years after quitting, the stroke risk is reduced to that of a nonsmoker 5 to 15 years after quitting.
  • Ten years after quitting, the lung cancer death rate is about half that of a continuing smoker’s.  The risk of cancer of the mouth, throat, esophagus, bladder, cervix, and pancreas decrease.
  • Fifteen years after quitting, risk of coronary heart disease is that of a nonsmoker’s.

It is a very hard habit to break, but consider the health benefits as listed above, not to mention creating a safer environment for those non-smokers who have to breathe secondhand smoke!

Workplaces that make the choice to become smoke-free would see increased productivity, fewer sick days and lower insurance claims by employees.  Employers could reward their workers that stop smoking by paying a membership fee to a health club, treat non-smokers to an occasional free breakfast or lunch, or come up with other ideas.

People have the right to choose what to do with their body; however, when facts prove that smoking damages almost every organ in the human body and is linked to at least fifteen different cancers, that should be reason enough for tobacco users to stop and think about it.  Besides that, look at all the money that could be saved!  So, Thursday, come on, we dare you!  You can do it for at least one day…then another….and another!