Safety and Health at Work - Protecting Your Body at Work
According to healthyworkplace.ie;
“World Day for Safety and Health at Work, recognised internationally and supported by the United Nations. The day promotes the prevention of workplace accidents and occupational illnesses, and highlights the importance of strong health and safety systems.
Workplaces can use the day to review safety practices, encourage reporting of hazards, and reinforce the importance of creating safe and supportive working environments.”
Protecting Your Body
Workplace accidents are usually associated with high risk environments, however everyday jobs can place significant strain on the body. Weather you’re working at a desk, on your feet all day or in a more physically demanding job, repetitive tasks and poor movement habits can lead to injury or chronic pain over time.
Common Workplace Injuries
There are many injuries that can occur in the workplace, depending on your environment. However there are some common workplace injuries;
Lower back pain
One of the most common workplace complaints we see in the clinic is lower back pain. This can result from prolonged sitting, poor posture, or frequent lifting. Over time, strain on the lower spine and muscles can lead to stiffness, pain and reduced mobility.
Neck Pain
We often see this type of injury with desk based office work. Neck pain can develop from poor workstation setup, forward head posture, or long periods of looking down. This can also contribute to headaches and shoulder tension.
Tennis Elbow
Despite its name, tennis elbow is often caused by repetitive movements like gripping or lifting activities at work. It results in pain and tenderness around the outside of the elbow and can affect daily tasks such as typing, lifting, or carrying objects.
Tendinitis
Tendinitis refers to inflammation or irritation of a tendon, commonly caused by repetitive strain or overuse. It can affect various areas such as the shoulder, elbow, wrist, or Achilles tendon, leading to pain and limited movement.
Carpal Tunnel Syndrome
This condition develops when the a nerve is compressed at the wrist, often due to repetitive hand and wrist movements. Symptoms may include numbness, tingling, weakness, or pain in the hand and fingers.
Preventable Injuries
The good news is that many of these injuries are preventable with simple changes:
Set up your workstation to support good posture
Take regular breaks to move and stretch
Use proper lifting techniques
Avoid staying in one position for too long
At our clinic, we help patients address pain early and prevent small issues from becoming long-term problems. On this World Day for Safety and Health at Work, it’s a great time to check in with your body and make small changes that can have a big impact.
If you’re experiencing discomfort at work, don’t ignore it, early treatment can make all the difference.
Physiotherapy
We specialise in the treatment and prevention of injuries and conditions. If you are suffering with any health aliments that you feel we could help you with, get in touch today. We provide treatment for a wide age range from 9 years to 90 years old.