Hi lovelies,
Taking care of your health isn’t just about working out and eating well. It’s also about minding health and safety in every aspect of living, especially when it comes to where you work. After all, most of us spend nearly half of our waking life, five days a week, in the workplace. As such, here are some of the risks of the workplace that you could stand to be a lot more aware of, and what to do if you’re affected by health issues caused by work.
Stress isn’t something you should just shrug off
The workplace can impact your health in a range of ways, but you shouldn’t assume that all of those impacts are on your physical health. Overworking, taking on too many responsibilities, and having to deal with potentially harmful workplace relationships and conflicts can lead to you getting overly stressed. We all deal with some stress now and then but if it feels like it’s affecting you more often than not, at work, then there’s a good chance you’re dealing with chronic stress. This can affect every facet of your quality of life, from your general mood to your sleep, not to mention raising blood pressure and increasing your risk of a heart attack. Finding your means to manage stress and vouching for yourself at work can help.
Be mindful of accidents
Accidents can happen everywhere an in every kind of work environment. They are not solely relegated to the kinds of workplaces that have obvious hazards, such as warehouses and construction sites. The most common workplace accident is a slip, trip, or fall, which can happen in any kind of workplace, including the office, retail store, and anywhere else. If you spot any potential or frequent tripping hazards in the workplace, then you should highlight your concern with your employer to make sure that they’re taking action to mitigate those issues. The average employer is wise enough to understand that accidents can be greatly costly, not to mention awful for the workplace morale, so will work to fix it.
Your work environment
You don’t always have to be posed with a specific risk of an accident or an injury for your workplace to affect your health. Sometimes, the workplace itself might be a health risk. Many older workplaces could have substances like lead paint or asbestos present in the air if the employer hasn’t done anything about it. If you’re concerned that your workplace isn’t safe, then it’s worth taking the time to raise the alarm bells as soon as possible. Some health issues caused by pollutants can be incredibly serious, as outlined by the mesothelioma survival rates. If you believe that you are experiencing a health issue that has been caused by issues with your place of work, then the legal responsibility, not to mention any costs associated with treating that illness should fall squarely on the employer, rather than forcing you to deal with it.
The risk of a sedentary life
While it might not seem as serious as a life-threatening illness or an injury that could leave you temporarily disabled, there are work habits that can have just as serious an effect on your long-term health. For instance, if your job involves sitting at a desk for long periods of time, then it could be contributing to an increased risk of obesity, diabetes, and heart attack, all products of an overly sedentary life. As such, it’s a good idea for those with a desk job to routinely try and inject some physical activity into their life, even at work.
The risk of musculoskeletal injuries
A sedentary life can also increase your risk of injuries to your back and joints which are, above all else, the most common cause of workplace disability. It is the responsibility of the employer to help you avoid the strain that can be caused by your work by, for instance, implementing ergonomic furniture such as standing desks or supportive chairs that can help to reduce the strain on your back. For physically strenuous work, there is no replacement for being able to take breaks now and then, giving your body the rest that it needs.
Your employer might be the boss of you, but that doesn’t mean that they have the right to endanger your physical or mental well-being. In fact, the opposite is true. They have the responsibility to mind your health and keep you safe as best as possible. If they fail to do that, it’s important to hold them responsible.