An injury-free Christmas
Having to endure a bad back or other aches and pains can really spoil your fun over the Christmas period, so it’s worth taking extra care to avoid suffering any preventable injuries.
With this Christmas set to be our busiest on record with more letters and parcels to deliver than ever before, colleagues might be tempted to take shortcuts, whether that’s rushing around the office or trying to carry too much at any one time.
It’s human nature to want to get a job done as quickly as possible. But unfortunately, rushing and/or failing to take any necessary safety precautions, can all too often lead to manual handling-related musculoskeletal injuries.
Follow our top tips below to stay injury-free this Christmas.
- If you have a number of heavy or awkward parcels, or multiple items for the same delivery or collection point, ask your manager for a sack truck.
- Avoid having to take the full weight of heavy items. Depending on the size and shape of the item, it may be possible to pivot, slide, tilt or roll it into position without taking the full weight.
- Let your manager know if you doubt your ability to handle a heavy parcel safely on your own.
- Check out our poster on how to avoid two-person lifts when handling heavy parcels. If you need to carry out a two-person lift, make sure you are both wearing a face mask or covering.
- 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 ensure you have suitable clothing with you in case the weather changes.
- Take extra care when carrying heavy loads in wintry conditions. Bear in mind the ground may be wet, icy, or slippery with dead leaves. If you lose your balance when carrying heavy items, you are likely to injure yourself.
- Take your allocated breaks. Tired muscles and joints can contribute to the cause of workplace injuries.
For information and support on how you can improve your mental and physical health and wellbeing visit www.feelingfirstclass.co.uk – use the code FFC1 to sign up.
