Job fitness
- Pre-season /pre-work fitness will help prevent discomfort and pain and help you do your job better such as, jogging, arm strengthening, etc
- At the start of each new task/season, pace yourself.
- Start slow and build up so your body can adjust to the work. If you go too hard and fast you may injure yourself and not be able to continue
- Remember each day to warm up and cool down
- Stretch regularly through the day.
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Hydration
- Dehydration can make you fatigued, affect judgement, cause cramps, heat stress or heatstroke. Even low levels can cause problems
- Drink water regularly throughout the day. 1.5 to 2 litres is usual, but your fluid needs will vary depending upon your activity levels, temperature, humidity etc
- If you're sweating a lot you need replace extra fluids regularly
- Avoid overloading on coffee, tea and fizzy drinks they may make you lose water
- Urine should be 'light straw' coloured.
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Eat well
- Healthy foods provide energy to function and nutrients to help you stay well
- Eat plenty of fruit and vegetables every day
- Drink water regularly throughout the day
- Drink more if high temperature and/or heavy activity means you sweat a lot
- Take lunch breaks away from your work area. Your digestion works best when you are relaxed.
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Cope effectively with stress
- Find positive ways to deal with stress at work and home
- Face up to the big issues, e.g. family/relationship, financial and health. Get professional help/counselling if you need it
- Stay positive. Managing a stressful situation well can make you feel good
- If your work is stressful, tell your boss
- Healthy food, plenty of sleep and exercise are vital
- Alcohol and tobacco reduce your ability to cope with stress
- Allow yourself time to relax and recover from stress. Schedule fun times!
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Noise hazards
- Identify and report sources of excess noise
- Ensure noisy machinery is maintained regularly
- Always wear appropriate hearing protection when working, keep it in good condition and replace it when worn.
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Site specific hazards
- People
- Environment
- Process
- Communication
- Plant
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Self help for arm/hand pain: A
ENSURE THAT:
- Talk to your supervisor: report any discomfort/pain and ask if there are any alternative jobs/rotations that may help
- Breaks: are taken regularly (and rest at break time) and, between break times, do short (1-5 secs) micropauses
- Exercises: are done before work starts (warm up and stretch), during breaks (stretch) and after work (cool down and stretch)
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Self help for arm/hand pain: B
- Recovery time: between episodes of work, ensure your body gets chance to recover by not doing similar activities outside of work. Don’t take on extra jobs/work. Make sure you get good amount of rest
- Health: ensure you eat well and drink lots of water
- Take prescribed medication as directed.
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First aid for injuries: Part A
FIRST TWO DAYS - USE R.I.C.E.D. REST: To limit further damage, avoid moving the injured part as much as possible. ICE: Put ice in a damp towel and place on the injured part for 20 minutes. Do this every two hours for the first 48 hours after injury. COMPRESSION: Bandage the injured part between ice treatments. ELEVATION: Keep the injured part raised as much as possible. DIAGNOSIS: If pain or swelling isn't significantly less after 48 hrs seek professional medical help.
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First aid for injuries: Part B
FIRST THREE DAYS - AVOID H.A.R.M.
HEAT: Avoid hot baths and showers, saunas, hot water bottles, heat packs and liniments. ALCOHOL: Alcohol increases bleeding and swelling at the injury site and delays healing. RUNNING: Don't exercise the injured part for 72 hours unless approved by a medical professional. MASSAGE: Massaging an injury in the first 72 hours can slow down recovery.
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Red flags: Part A
SEEK MEDICAL ADVICE IF YOU HAVE:
- Severe, unremitting night-time pain
- Severe burning pain with associated pins and needles
- Significant loss of weight over a period of weeks to months
- Significant trauma (e.g. fall from a height, motor vehicle accident, crush, etc.)
- Feeling systematically unwell – e.g. with fevers, night sweats, flu-like symptoms.
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Red flags: Part B
SEEK MEDICAL ADVICE IF YOU HAVE:
- Obvious swelling or lump/s
- Redness – especially around joint/s
- Several different joints being affected at the same time
- Skin rash associated with joint pains
- Significant visible bruising in the affected area
- Paralysis or significant loss of function of the limb or part of the limb.
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