Helping Yourself – #WinterWithSelectequip

Welcome back to another instalment of #WinterWithSelectequip. In recent posts we’ve spoken about the external ways you can stay safe within the workplace this winter but now we want to talk about how you can help yourself. PPE workwear and equipment is a must for ensuring you’re not exposed to any workplace incidents but you must also remember to take care of yourself, especially when it comes to the winter months. You’ll be faced with harsh weather conditions, a change in mood as well as longer nights. Helping yourself, when partnered up with the correct PPE will ensure you have a safe and efficient working experience.

Typically, most people develop ‘winter blues’ during this time of year and general moods are said to be lower meaning it’s harder to keep energy levels up- which isn’t great for those who work in industries such as construction and maintenance; you need all the energy you can get, especially if you work through the night. When it comes to working later hours, there’s an increased risk of injury because of the lack of alertness at that time of day. An external factor to consider is the impact the cold can have on your physical wellbeing, during the winter months you may carry out exactly the same tasks that you would in the summer but because of the harsh weather conditions, the risk of injury heightens. Without the consistent and healthy flow of blood round your body, you may experience muscle tightness and tearing, which in some cases can be extremely painful. Excessive exposure to the cold, snow and rain may over time mean you fall ill and even affect you externally, by drying out your hands which could have extremely painful implications. There are many other factors to consider when it comes to seeing what risks you face whilst working through the winter months, so it’s important you make yourself aware of these factors going forward in the workplace.

So what can you do to help yourself?

Stay hydrated: A general rule for life but even more so for when you’re exposed to the harsh conditions of winter. You want to ensure that you stay hydrated in order to stay alert. Your body will reward you whilst working if you fuel it.

Get enough sleep: You should always make sure you get enough sleep in order to make sure you can carry out your work well. Being tired on the job could influence a machinery accident meaning injury or in some circumstances, death. If you work through the night then ensure that you find time to sleep during the day, you need to be fully alert no matter what time of the day you work.

Eat well: Working in an environment where your physical capabilities are tested, you need to give your body the best fuel possible. Eating processed sugar will not help in the workplace, whilst it may give you energy for a short amount of time it won’t keep you going throughout the entire day. Instead think of exploring slow energy releasing foods with natural sugars, such as porridge and bananas.

Keep moving: If you’re working in a physically demanding job then you will be moving around a lot. You need to make sure that you take part in physical activities outside of work to make sure you don’t strain yourself in the workplace. If you’re off work for a week and you go straight back into lifting heavy objects then you might find yourself with an injury. Help yourself and keep the blood moving outside of work… a brisk walk or gentle jog will even help.

Join us on the next and final instalment of #WinterWithSelectequip where we’ll be talking through the top 5 winter workplace dangers and how to avoid them.