June is National Safety Month, and while staying safe on the job is a year-round priority for All-Tex Pipe & Supply, it’s a good opportunity to highlight some important safety practices for the workplace.
Overexertion, especially in the brutal Texas summer heat, is a leading cause of injuries in the United States. According to the National Safety Council (NSC), overexertion causes 35% of all work-related injuries and is the largest contributor to workers’ compensation costs. In 2014, the construction and manufacturing industries saw over 65,000 workplace injuries because of overexertion.
Overexertion is really all about ergonomics – ergonomic injuries occur to soft tissues like muscles, tendons, joints, cartilage and spinal discs. They can occur as a result of excessive lifting, working in awkward positions, repetitive motion, sitting or standing for long periods of time and even temperature extremes. Symptoms present themselves in the form of discomfort, tendonitis or chronic pain. It’s important to recognize the signs of an ergonomic injury early, so it doesn’t develop into an overexertion injury.
Luckily, overexertion in the workplace can be prevented. The NSC recommends these tips in preventing these injuries at work
- Lift heavy objects with your legs, keeping your back straight
- Take frequent breaks from any sustained position every 30 minutes
- Limit the amount of time you spend doing a repetitive motion
- If you’re working in the heat, stay adequately hydrated and take frequent breaks in the shade or indoors
All-Tex is committed to ensuring the safety of our employees as we work to provide our customers with the best in PVF products and industry expertise. Contact our team today to get the critical advantage you’re looking for.