Preventing Overexertion

One of the hot topics the National Safety Council (NSC) is focusing on as a part of National Safety Month is overexertion. The organization cites that overexertion is the third leading cause of unintentional injuries treated in emergency departments. The most common overexertion injuries are sprains and strains, most commonly of the lower back. Here are some simple prevention tips from the NSC that can help keep your workers from overdoing it on the job:

• Place objects as close to you as possible
• Always keep your body positioned square to your work (your toes should always point in the same direction as your nose)
• Limit the amount of weight you carry--once you are unable to maintain the posture outlined above, the load is too heavy for you
• Give yourself enough room to work in a neutral position
• Keep all tools in good working condition, since many overexertion injuries happen when people overcompensate for worn or broken tools
• Take frequent, short breaks to avoid repetitive stress injuries, which happen when muscles are not given proper time to recover

Of course, everyone should also keep these tips in mind when off the job, as well, since 'tis the season for do-it-yourself gardening, and mulching is a big culprit when it comes to overexertion!