Got your back

Struggling with a bad back or other aches and pains can really spoil your fun over the Christmas period, so it’s worth taking extra care both at work and at home to avoid any preventable injuries.

In these final weeks leading up to Christmas, colleagues will be out later in the day and evenings delivering festive parcels, cards and online shopping orders to our customers.

During this busiest time of year, some colleagues might be tempted to rush, take shortcuts or carry too many items at once, heightening the risk of workplace accidents, and in particular, the chances of suffering musculoskeletal injuries.

Please remember that your own safety and the safety of others must always remain paramount.

• Ask for help with heavy or awkward parcels
• If you have heavy or awkward parcels, or a pile of boxes for the same delivery point, ask your manager for a sack truck to deliver them
• Break down heavy pouches or use a trolley
• Stay warm to avoid pulled muscles, aching joints or cramps. Don’t be tempted to wear shorts when the weather is cold. It’s a good idea to check the weather forecast and make sure you have suitable clothing with you in case the weather changes
• Take extra care when carrying items in winter as surfaces may be wet, icy, slippery or strewn with dead leaves. It could also be windy or dark, so if you lose your balance with your arms full you could be likely to injure yourself
• Take your allocated breaks. Remember, tired muscles and joints are more likely to become injured.

For information and support on how you can improve your mental and physical health and wellbeing visit www.feelingfirstclass.co.uk and use the code FFC1 to sign up.