Is Your Job Causing You Serious Health Problems?

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 No job is worth sacrificing your health for - and yet many common health problems can be rooted in what we do for a living. Sometimes this is the fault of the employer not putting in adequate protective measures, while in other instances it can be the result of poor personal habits. Below are just a few common examples of how your occupation might be harming your health and how to combat this.

Bad air quality

Start by assessing the air quality at your workplaces. Certain environments like factories, mills and construction sites can expose us to all kinds of pollutants including chemical vapors and dust. Wearing a respirator mask is recommended in these environments to prevent the development of respiratory issues.

Don’t assume that office buildings are always safer - some old unventilated buildings can be full of dust and mold, which can lead to ‘sick building syndrome’. If you and workers notice that you’re feeling sick or wheezy and the air in your workplace seems to be dusty or stale, consider talking to your employer about improving ventilation.

Unsafe noise levels

Some workplaces are very loud. Constant noise exposure could lead to hearing damage and ringing in the ears (tinnitus). This could result in you having to get a hearing aid fitted or seek out tinnitus treatment.

Wearing ear protection is highly recommended on construction sites, on airport runways, at live music venues and in noisy factories. This could include ear defenders or earplugs. 

Lack of exercise

If you work a sedentary job and don’t do any exercise during non-working hours, you could be at risk of all kinds of health problems. This includes weight gain, diabetes and heart disease.

Many desk jobs and driving jobs require you to be in a seat all day and there may not be much you can do to combat this. However, you can reduce the risk of developing health problems by taking small breaks to be active (such as walking somewhere local on your lunch break) or by making an effort to be more active outside of work hours (such as going to the gym, going for local walks or even cycling to and from work).

Poor heavy lifting practices

Many manual labor jobs involve lots of heavy lifting. A common health problem that can develop in these occupations is back pain - particularly if you’re lifting heavy items incorrectly.

You should always lift heavy objects by crouching down and lifting from the knees with your back straight. Test items to feel if they are too heavy, and if they are too much of a strain to lift, get someone else to help you lift that object.

Chronic stress

One of the most common health hazards at work is stress. High-pressure jobs can make us constantly stressed out, which over time can take a toll on our whole body. Health problems linked to chronic stress include depression, anxiety, insomnia, migraine, acne, psoriasis, IBS, stroke and heart disease.

You can’t always avoid stress at work, but you can take steps to destress when not at work. If you feel like stress at work is seriously wearing you down, consider whether it’s time you took a break or looked for another role (sometimes it’s not the job, but the company - don’t assume that a toxic work environment is the norm).