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While yes, it’s true most businesses will have some sort of employee injury prevention, they’re usually just low-hanging fruit things like guard rails on stairs, or walking lanes and driving lanes in a warehouse, the most basic things. It’s good these are in place, like theres no doubt about that in the slightest.
But you need to keep in mind that some injuries happen in one dramatic moment, like you trip over a cord, slip on a wet floor, and bam, you’re out for weeks. Yeah, those do happen, and yes, they’re common, but there are ones that are common that don’t get attention, the more ‘sneakier” ones if you wanted to call it that. Basically, they tiptoe in, disguised as “normal work stuff,” until one day your body just taps out.
The worst part is, you probably don’t even notice you’re doing the damage. You think you’re just “getting stuff done,” but really, you’re stacking up little health debts your body’s going to make you pay back with interest.
The Slouch
Ah, the office slouch. It feels innocent enough, leaning in to read something, curling into your chair like it’s a duvet day. But spend a few years doing that and you’re not just looking like a question mark, you’re feeling like one too. There’s the achy shoulders, cranky neck, headaches that arrive mid-morning like clockwork… they’re all part of the bill. Honestly, it’s easy to fix this; you just need better posture, and yeah, most people are guilty of this one. There are posture correctors if you’re dead set on fixing this one, too.
There’s the “I Don’t Have Time” Breaks
It really is unfortunate that this one happens. But yeah, skipping breaks might feel like you’re proving how dedicated you are, but all you’re really doing is grinding yourself into the ground. Your eyes get sore, your back starts to hum with that dull ache, and by the end of the day, you’re absolutely fried.
You can’t do this to yourself, and while yes, there are worker laws put into place, you quite literally have a right to just sit and take a break, and to not multitask in the slightest. So you absolutely need to not think of yourself as some “well-oiled machine” cause you’re not.
You Can’t be the “Office Hero”
There’s always one person in every workplace who’s the “sure, I’ll lift it” person. Okay, but what’s so bad about this? Well, the trouble is, being the office hero often means quietly wrecking your back. No, really, just think about it; lifting without thinking, twisting the wrong way, or carrying too much weight is basically an injury in waiting.
If the job calls for heavy lifting, get the proper gear and ask for help. Yeah, this one specifically tends to be the biggest of the “slow build” injuries, where you very well might need to see a workers compensation attorney if your body is working more and more against for these labor-intensive tasks (especially if this quite literally isn’t even a task you are required to do for your job like a desk job). And yeah, it’s also your boss (or the business owners )’ responsibility to know this, too.
Make Your Body Part of Your Work Plan
While sure, it’s easy to treat your body like it’s invincible, especially when you’re young or you’ve “always done it this way.” But a little prevention now saves you from long, annoying recoveries later. Honestly, if you are dead set on protecting yourself, you’ll have to keep this one in mind.
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