Controlling Stress - Safety Topic

Stresses, 

Many of us are faced with it every day, but we might not know how to deal with it. It is important to learn how to handle stress because it can affect our performance and relationships in our work and home. At work, stress can lead to distraction and cause an unfortunate accident. At home, stress can put a strain on family relationships.

Stress usually occurs when there are changes in our lives and we feel that we don't have enough resources to deal with those changes and demands. 

Which of the following do you think causes stress: getting married, winning the lottery, or having an argument? 

It is all of them. Stress can occur not only from negative life experiences, but also from positive ones. People react and deal with stress differently, but common stress symptoms include upset stomach, fatigue, tight neck muscles, irritability and headaches. Some people react to stress by eating or drinking too much, losing sleep or smoking cigarettes. Stress may also make you more susceptible to illnesses, including the common cold, ulcers, and some cancers.

The first step to managing stress into identify your "stressors"; trothing's that are making you react. Stressors may not only be events that cause you to feel sad, frightened, anxious or happy. You can cause stress through your thoughts, feelings and expectations  

Look at the list below. 

Which cause you stress? Can you think of other stressors?

Not enough time

• Unexpected change
• Family problems
• Extra responsibility
• Personality clashes
• Money difficulties

Everyone has to deal with life's problems. A key to dealing with the big and little everyday stressors is coping with stress in a positive way.

1. Acceptance

• Many of us worry about things we have no control over. For example, a family illness, great deal of change at work, or finding out that your basketball team lost. One way to manage stress is to accept when things are beyond your control. It may be helpful to think positive thoughts such as, "Someday I'll laugh about this," or "It's a learning experience."

2. Attitude

• Try to focus on the positive side of situations. Ask yourself, "What good can come out of this?" "What can I learn from this situation?" and "How can I handle this better when it comes up again?" Solutions come easier when you focus on the positive and your stress level will be reduced. 

3. Perspective

• We often worry about things that never happen. Keep things in perspective by asking yourself, "How important is this situation? Can I do anything about it?, In five years, will I even remember it happened?"

Think about situations in your life that cause you stress. 

Are they important or un important? 

Are they controllable or uncontrollable? 

If they are controllable events, you can take action to change the situation; if they are uncontrollable, you can use your skills in acceptance, attitude and perspective to reduce the stress.

Think safe - work safe - live safe

Think safely in everything you do 

Safety First

Safe Lifting Techniques - Safety Topic

Can you think of even one job or occupation where you never have to lift an object?  - I can't. 

Lifting of objects can range from very light objects such as a piece of paper, a pin or a pen to very heavy objects like loads of boxes. Lifting is very much a part of our every day jobs. And, because it is something we do so often, we tend to do it without thinking, or at least we do until we strain a muscle, or worse, hurt our backs.

Lifting incorrectly can result in a variety of injuries. Back strain is a very common one. It results from over-stretching certain muscles, but it can be avoided by practicing safe lifting techniques. A hernia is another injury associated with lifting. A hernia does not generally result from a single lifting effort. It is usually the result of continued extreme exertion, especially done contrary to the structure of body.

Don't underestimate the importance of being in good physical condition. Years of poor posture, overeating, lack of exercise, stress and improper lifting can catch up with you. Learn how your back works and what you can do to keep it strong. Ask for your physician's recommended stretching, warm-up, and reconditioning exercises; then practice them regularly.
Safe lifting plays an important role in keeping your back healthy. Although there doesn't seem to be just one right method to lift an object, there are lifting techniques that take strain off the low back area.

These techniques have several steps in common. They recommend you "size up the load". That is, look it over. Decide if you can handle it alone or if you need help. When in doubt, ask for help. Moving a box or other object that is too heavy for one person is not worth strained and sore back muscles.

You should also "size up the area". Look over the area where you are carrying the object to, and make sure it is clear of obstacles before beginning to carry the object.

For that period of time spent lifting, the load becomes a part of your body. You support and propel the object while it is attached to you. This attachment should be firm and sure. Get a good grip.
Attaching yourself to a load will change your balance. To keep this change of balance to a minimum, keep the load close to your body, to your normal center of gravity between the legs, between the shoulders.

Good foot position allows you to keep your balance and bring into play the full power of your leg muscles. Leg muscles are more powerful and more durable than back muscles. Let your leg muscles do the work. Again, footwork is important once you avoid twisting your upper body. Use your feet to change direction. Don't twist your body. Twisting compounds the stress of the lift and affects your balance.

When you have someone helping you lift an object, teamwork becomes important. If you're going to be carrying the load to another point, both of you should decide in advance how it is to be handled. Check the route and clearance. One person should be the leader and be in a position to observe and direct the other. Lifting and lowering should be done in unison. Don't let the load drop suddenly without warning your partner.

Everyone has a way of lifting that seems most natural. Examine yours to see if you are using lifting techniques that reduce strain on your lower back. As the employee making the lift, you're being counted on to make lifts that are safe and comfortable for you based on the items we've discussed:

• Size up the object – is it too heavy or awkward in shape or size?
• Consider asking for assistance or using suitable equipment (eg trolley).
• Consider achieving the “lift” by performing several smaller safe lifts, rather than one unsafe lift.
• Stand close to the object
• Keep your arms and elbows close to your body.
• Bend with your knees don’t stoop.
• Position your feet shoulder width apart or with one foot ‘beside’  and the other foot ‘behind’ the object.
• Maintain a “long” spine. (Think about a line that goes from your head through your spine all the way down to your tail bone)
• Tighten your abdominal core stability muscles.
• Use your thigh and buttock muscles to lift the load
• Don’t twist while carrying the object. To change direction, shift your foot position and turn your entire body.
• Avoid lifting after prolong sitting  or forward bending (eg  long drives or weeding the garden).

Check out a You Tube Video of safe lifting on the link below:

Think safe - work safe - live safe

Think safely in everything you do 

Safety First

Teamwork prevents incidents and accidents - Safety Topic

Teamwork keeps employees safe and production high at any job. Teamwork prevents accidents.

All we have to do is: think of the other person’s safety as well as our own. Think about driving as one example of teamwork for safety. 

Safe drivers not only look out for their own safety, but make sure they do not endanger the lives of the other drivers. They give up their right-of-way to help another driver. They slow down to let a driver cut back in after that driver has tried to pass and discovered a vehicle coming in the other direction. It is not just a matter of one driver having the right of way or being in right; it is a matter of a little teamwork to prevent accidents.

The safe driver knows that someday, it may take teamwork from some other safe driver to prevent accident.

It is not just a matter of your working safely and following all the rules yourself; you must think about the other person’s safety, too. You must lend a hand once in a while to prevent or avoid an accident that may involve another worker.
You can never tell what kind of situation will require teamwork to prevent an accident. You must solve each situation by working together and helping other people on the job. We all know what teamwork means when we think of team sports, but do we know what teamwork means when we think of work? 

Good team leaders know what makes a successful team and good team members make it happen. 

• Communication: Team members always talk to each other. They know they are part of a team and they communicate with their teammates
• Responsibility: Team members are thinking about the safety of people who work at their sides, and the rest of the project, and doing the best job they can, safely
• Coordination: Coordination means the team functions like clockwork. Every member does their part to bring out the best in the team
• Safety: Teamwork means that on and off duty the safety of your team should be number one on your list; your safety is the team’s safety

What characteristics make a team unsuccessful?

• Taking unnecessary risks: Focusing on getting the job done, no matter the risk to your fellow employees
  
• No Participation: Lack of participation by the leader or employees within the group
  
• Complacency: Knowing the team’s weaknesses and not taking steps to improve or eliminate those shortcomings
  

Think safe - work safe - live safe

Think safely in everything you do 

Safety First