Becoming A Healthy Worker

Terms Addiction – a physical or psychological need for a substance Emergency Action Plan – guidelines for handling safety hazards, fire, chemical spills, or other accidents Ergonomics – a field of applied science that aims to make workstations safer and more comfortable First aid – what to administer in an emergency before help arrives

Terms Cont’d MyPyramid – a guideline created by the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services Nutrients – the substances in food that the body needs to produce energy and stay healthy Sedentary – requiring much sitting Workers’ compensation – laws that guarantee financial help to workers injured on the job

What it Takes to be Healthy – Eating Wisely Being in good health means having enough mental and physical energy. MyPyramid can help you eat a balanced diet. The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services recommends at least 3 cups from the milk food group daily for the average year old. The MyPyramid guidelines help you learn how to get the right nutrients.

Exercising for Fitness You can reap the benefits of exercise by exercising a minimum of three times a week for 20 minutes. Exercise can impact your career decision making process because it helps you feel mentally alert.

Recharging Yourself - Sleep In order to practice good sleep hygiene you should avoid caffeine-rich foods and drinks after noon each day.

Staying on Guard Addiction can lead to depression, heart attack, and liver disease. Diet, exercise, and rest are health factors you can control in your life.

Managing Stress – Stress-Positive and Negative Stress becomes negative when your body stays in an unnecessary state of alertness. One of the most effective ways of dealing with stress is to identify the source of the stress and address it directly. One relaxation technique for coping with stress is visualization. Stress is a natural reaction of the body to conflict.

Safety on the Job

Rules and Regulations – The Government’s Role The Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) sets safety standards and inspects job sites.

Employer’s Roles The science of ergonomics tries to prevent repetitive stress injuries.

Worker’s Responsibilities To prevent MSDs, hold your wrists and neck straight while working on a computer keyboard.

Responding to Emergencies Your emergency preparedness kit should contain a flashlight. According to the American Red Cross, the first emergency action step you should follow when someone has an accident is to check the scene to make sure you can approach and help.

When the Elements Strike During earthquakes, stay away from windows and brace yourself against an interior wall.