Health & Safety

Health & Safety

Care For Your Limbs And Joints

During September our health essential is Care For Your Limbs and Joints… take some time to think about the health of your bones, muscles, ligaments, tendons and other soft tissues on your joints – shoulders, elbows, wrists, hands, hips, knees and feet.

The most common problems are tendonitis, strains and sprains and other injuries in the limbs and their joints. The symptoms are mainly pain, stiffness, numbness or tingling.

The main risk factors are prolonged awkward postures, forceful exertion, repetitive motions, poor flexibility, incorrect equipment and improper adjustment of equipment, infrequent breaks, vibrations, etc.

Risk factors may be experienced during non-occupational activities (e.g. certain sports, gardening, exercising, playing musical instruments, computer use, etc).  Some ways to avoid injury are to:

  • Know your job. Reduce your risk of injury by improving your work posture, look at your work space, handle loads properly and select the tools that fit the job.
  • Take regular rest breaks and alternate your duties. Avoid holding one position for too long.
  • Keep fit. Regular exercise will build strong muscles around your joints. Choose low-impact exercises.
  • Warm up and stretch routines help prevent injuries and pain.
  • Control your weight to take stress off your knees and hips with a healthy diet and good hydration.
  • Moderate alcohol consumption and don’t smoke to protect your joints.