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The Greeks and Romans used to weave its fibres into clothing. The Vatican preserved their writings on paper made of it. The brake pads in your dad’s car were manufactured from it.
Used in a variety of applications throughout history, asbestos is a naturally occurring mineral that’s infamous for its association with serious and fatal illnesses including pneumoconiosis, lung cancer and mesothelioma.
The earliest documentation about the harmful effects of asbestos can be traced back to Greek authors. In the late 1970s, the global demand for asbestos began to slow as more countries began to take notice of the link between asbestos workers and a high disease rate.
However, it’s been more than 20 years since asbestos was banned in Ireland and across Europe, so why do we still need to talk about it?
It still affects people.
In Ireland, a record number of asbestos-related fatalities are expected this year and in the near future.
“Asbestos is particularly dangerous because related illnesses can take 15-50 years to manifest,” said Chris Ferris, health and safety consultant of Ayrton Group. “Before the ban, it was so widely used that anyone born before 1985 most likely has been exposed at some point in their lives.”
Ferris, who conducts hundreds of asbestos surveys and trainings every year, points to a lack of training and public knowledge about the menace it continues to pose. These long-held assumptions and myths about asbestos continue the cycle of lax procedures and dangerous practices.
Too many contractors and property owners believe the myth that because asbestos has been banned, it’s no longer a threat.
“The biggest problem facing us is the lingering Asbestos-containing Materials (ACMs) that were used prominently in government buildings, council houses, schools, and hospitals,” said Ferris.
Any building renovated during the 1980s and 1990s, or any roof built before 1995 using concrete roof tiles are likely to consist of ACMs. Ferris also estimates over 60% of both public and residential buildings constructed before the 2000s would likely contain asbestos.
As these older buildings get demolished or renovated, if not managed properly, they can expose unknowing workers, their families, and the immediate community to asbestos particles.
Ferris explained, “Asbestos has been mined for millennia for its heat resistant properties. It was an effective and cheap option for use in partitions, roofing materials, cement, tiles, tile adhesive, and pipes.
“Asbestos, if allowed to remain encapsulated and undisturbed, isn’t dangerous. However, as the buildings start to age, the pipes, roofs, tiles become fragile and more likely to break and risk disturbing it.”
For example, the asbestos gauze used around the gunmetal piping for insulation in old buildings will eventually dry out due to years of heat passing through. If the pipe breaks or the gauze cracks, fibres can be released into the air as microscopic particles, smaller than dust. These fibres settle on every surface, easily stirred up and breathed in. If wettened, they can’t disperse as easily but once the moisture dries, then the fibres are prone to be airborne again.
The improper removal or disposal of asbestos heightens the risk of exposure and requires certified personnel to see its safely dealt with.
Another prevalent myth is the idea that if you can’t see asbestos, then you must not have it. Unfortunately, many ACMs are not easily identifiable because the asbestos was used in another substance like adhesive, cement, plastic, or encapsulated in resin.
For example, the popular blue, red, green resin-based floor tiles contained asbestos. More importantly, so does the adhesive used to bind them. The danger emerges during renovations when the floor is broken to remove the tiles, which releases the microscopic fibres into the air.
A growing problem is the lack of workers who know how to recognize ACMs as they get mistaken from their non-asbestos counterparts. More training is needed for the younger workforce to help them identify potentially hazardous ACMs onsite.
Some common places to find asbestos in older buildings include:
The HSA guidelines issued in 2006 state that every house built before the year 2000 should have a survey taken but is often neglected.
When purchasing a building or house, asbestos will appear on the report only if a survey had been carried out. If there is no mention within the report, the best way to know if a building has asbestos is to have a survey conducted by an accredited company like Ayrton Group.
If building works are being carried out, often building contractors will incorporate the survey into the cost. Otherwise, they can be held liable if their workers are exposed to asbestos.
Ferris would argue that it’s too expensive NOT to deal with it. Neglected or mishandled asbestos can cost a company thousands of euro and affects human lives.
“There is no statute of limitations in the eyes of the law related to asbestos, so companies can still be held liable for exposure decades ago,” explained Ferris. “This is because symptoms of asbestos-related illnesses take so long to manifest.”
Businesses are responsible for the health and safety of their employees. Failure to follow the Safety, Health and Welfare at Work regulations related to asbestos can leave businesses vulnerable to future litigation. Property owners and building contractors who haven’t done their due diligence to properly survey and remove any ACMs could be held accountable under the Air Pollution Act, Water Pollution Act, or several other regulations informed by the HSA.
A recent example follows the Dublin court case of a building contractor from McAleer & Rushe UK Ltd. He pled guilty on behalf of the company to allegations of failing to carry out an asbestos risk assessment on a Dublin city building and exposing employees to asbestos.
Instruct an accredited company like Ayrton Group to provide Asbestos Consultancy and Training. They will efficiently manage the complete lifecycle of an asbestos project from the identification of risk to remediation and air monitoring.
If your company needs additional training for managers to onsite workers, Ayrton Group can provide private asbestos awareness courses, which give attendees a broad understanding of the dangers associated with asbestos and measures required to protect their safety.
The awareness training will be useful for property owners, building contractors, and anyone else who has responsibility for health and safety in the workplace. This training is especially helpful for those most at risk from inadvertent exposure such as maintenance personnel, electricians, plumbers, fitters, painters and decorators, demolition and construction workers, roofers, telecommunications engineers, fire and burglar alarm installers, computer installers and building surveyors.
At Ayrton Group we have a wide range of expertise in the area of Asbestos Consultancy and Training including risk assessment, surveys, sample testing, removal project management, air monitoring, and awareness training.
If you require our expertise for your facility or project, get in touch on (01) 8385595 or (021) 4210331.
There’s nothing like warming frosty hands in front of a roaring fire in the dead of winter. Many treasured Christmas memories are set to the backdrop of lighting candles, hanging up fairy lights, or decorating Christmas trees.
But in this busy time of year, we at Ayrton Group have noticed that safety around fire and electrics is often overlooked in favour of a quick “ah, it’ll be grand” solution. It’s our job to notice these things, afterall!
Since we’re serious about safety, our experts have made a list (and checked it twice!) of seven things you can do at work or home to prevent a fire and make sure your Christmas is merry for all.
Real trees get thirsty even after they’re cut down. Over time they lose their moisture and the needles begin to dry out and turn brown, which makes for fantastic fuel for a fire. In fact, a significant number of fire brigade callouts at this time of year are to attend tree-related fires. Watch just how quickly a dry tree can go up in flames in this video by the US National Institute of Standards and Technology.
Keep your tree green and hydrated by ensuring the bottom inch of the trunk is submerged in water. If you opt for an artificial tree, make sure it’s fire resistant. Use only indoor lights on the tree and turn them off at night.
Are you wearing your favourite Christmas jumper right now? Chances are that it and those warm, fuzzy socks you love are made with a synthetic material, which can be highly flammable. Check the clothing tag and mind any dangling material when lighting candles, cooking over the hob, or warming your stockinged feet by the fire’s edge.
Nothing makes a room warmer than the glow of a candle. But just like Christmas trees, unattended candle blazes are a big part of what keeps the fire brigade busy at this time of year. With so many realistic battery powered options on the market, consider replacing the wax candles in your windows or on your tables with battery alternatives.
If you must use real ones, never put lit candles on a Christmas tree and don’t leave them unattended– blow them out when you leave the room. Place them away from flammable materials (eg wrapping paper, plastics, hairspray, oils), out of reach of little one’s hands, and avoid places where they can be easily knocked into.
If you’ve lost count of how many Christmases you’ve had that strand of lights, consider replacing them. Choosing LED bulbs over incandescent ones not only saves you money but can reduce the fire risk as they don’t get as hot. Always look for the CE safety mark to ensure the wiring has undergone rigorous safety checks.
Proper storage and handling can elongate the life of a strand, but be sure to check for broken coating or exposed wiring. Never switch out a burnt out bulb while the strand is plugged in. Only use indoor lights indoors and outdoor lights outdoors; indoor lights are not as resistant to moisture and therefore more prone to shorting out, while outdoor lights produce too much heat for indoor use.
One more thing plugged in won’t hurt, right? It’s so tempting, especially when short on sockets and time. Yet even a small surge can cause havoc on already overloaded outlets.
Smoke alarms and carbon monoxide alarms (if you have a fuel burning stove) should be tested twice a year, especially when the kitchen and cooking appliances will be in such high demand. Keep extra batteries on hand for new toys so you’re not tempted to remove them from the alarms. Store a fire extinguisher and fire blanket in or near the kitchen and know how to use them.
You’ve taken all the precautions but still accidents happen! Acting quickly will minimise damage and save lives. Prepare in advance by reviewing with others what to do in case of a fire, especially if people are unfamiliar with the building.
If you need to become certified in fire safety or first aid for the workplace, take one of our training courses. New courses begin weekly.
Bonus tips: never pour water on an oil or electrical fire; instead use the extinguisher or sand. Cut off the oxygen supply with a fire blanket or a lid (if cooking). If clothing alights, smother with a fire blanket or stop, drop and roll.
We wish you a safe and Merry Christmas from all of us at Ayrton Group.
It’s the most magical time of year! Children wait with excited anticipation for Santa to visit. Families get together, sharing laughter, food, and memories that will last a lifetime.
It’s a time to cherish. When accidents happen around Christmastime, it is even more devastating simply due to the near fairy-tale vibe of this time of year. Keep your holidays merry and your days bright and safe with these 12 days of Christmas safety tips!
“I’ll be home for Christmas” Prepare your car for the hours of Christmas carols as you drive to Grandmother’s house. Build an emergency kit and include items such as blankets, jumper cables, road maps, shovel and extra clothing.
Santa’s sleigh and reindeer may be equipped to travel through snowstorms, but for us humans – avoid driving in a storm. If you must travel in bad weather, let someone know where you are going and when you expect to arrive. “My mother will start to worry… my father will be pacing the floor…So really I’d better scurry… maybe just a half a drink more”
“May your days be merry and bright!” It’s hard to feel merry while nursing a flu. If you do get sick,help prevent the flu from spreading. Stay home, cuddle up with a blanket and Christmas movie, wash your hands with soap and water as often as possible or use an alcohol based hand rub.
Maybe, just maybe, it’s layers – lots and lots of layers – that Santa is sporting. Leaving room for just one more plate of cookies and milk! When it’s cold outside, layered lightweight clothing will keep you warmer than a single heavy coat.
Stay safe while roasting chestnuts on an open fire. Stay in the kitchen when frying, grilling or broiling food. If you do leave the kitchen, even for a very short period of time, be sure to turn off the stove.
The greatest gift of all is life – make sure to get your first aid and CPR/AED training!
Designate a driver or skip the holiday cheer. Don’t drink and drive – limits have tightened lately, so even one glass is too much!
‘The weather outside is frightful, but in here it’s so delightful’. Heat your home safely – never leave portable heaters or fireplaces unattended, and be sure to install smoke alarms!
“Baby it’s cold outside’ If there is ice, be sure to salt your front step
to avoid slipping and falling and hurting yourself!
Cut down on your heating bills without being a Grinch. Get your furnace cleaned and change the filters. Make sure your furniture isn’t blocking the heat vents
“I’ll be home for Christmas…”. Going home for the holidays? Travel safely. Give your full attention to the road — avoid distractions, please don’t text and drive and wait for the Christmas drinks until you actually arrive home.
Resolve to be Ayrton Ready in the New Year. Get ready now for emergencies in the coming year by scheduling your safety training and consultancy today!
The good news is that, for the last five years in the UK, fewer injuries are occurring from scaffolding accidents. 2017 represented an all-time low for injuries resulting from falls from scaffolds. However, this still means that there were 89 injuries from scaffolding use. That’s 89 injuries too many. The statistics for Ireland are harder to define, and the most recent available are from 2016, however there is a general downward trend over the years as well, which is good news.
These reductions in injury are, without a doubt, a positive development. However, there is still a long way to go in ensuring working with scaffolds is always safe. As such, working at height is one of the primary areas we’re concentrating on during our upcoming Safety Week, with Monday 22nd October being dedicated to this area of Health and Safety.
Working safely with scaffolds
A key piece of information, for those in the construction trade, is the code of practice produced by the Health and Safety Authority.
Fundamentally, before considering human behaviours, we need to consider the scaffold design itself. This is set out within the code of practice, but ensures such things as careful calculation of the design by a skilled and competent individual. They are trained to understand the elements of design which affect rigidity, stability and strength. This is a skilled task.
Attention needs to be given to the three stages of scaffold use: erection, duration and dismantling. Safety needs to be considered at each of these points independently. Furthermore, scaffolding should always be fit for its intended purpose, and never a ‘make do’ situation.
Ensuring that the scaffold itself is actually secure to work on is just the first hurdle. It is vital to remember that these are working platforms. They are only fit for purpose if construction workers can fully perform their tasks safely.
Workers using scaffolds
To minimise the risk of injury involving scaffolding, individual workers also need to be equipped with both the protective equipment they need, but also the knowledge to work on scaffolding safely.
Our top recommendations for working safely with scaffolds:
To learn more about working safely with scaffolding, click here
When work is a pleasure, life is a joy! When work is a duty, life is slavery.
– Maxim Gorky
The truth is, we spend most of our daytime hours at work. There are simple tweaks and changes that can be made to make life at work more comfortable and keep productivity at it’s peak. We call this Ergonomics.
Ergonomics in it’s simplest form, is maximizing the usability of any object. In an office environment, good ergonomics can make a tremendous difference to the quality of your staff’s day, which impacts the quality of their work and happiness.
Poor posture, ill working conditions result in more sick days, poorer productivity, higher chances of injury (In an office, this is usually back or neck pain) which ultimately results in greater expense to the company.
This can all be done by having an Ergonomic Risk Assesment done and making simple tweaks.
It is commonly believed that correct posture is the key to avoiding back pain while at work. Without doubt, good posture affects your overall comfort and health. However, posture change is as important as posture correctness. Simply getting up periodically through the day and having some movement has a huge impact.
People who sit all day tend to have back problems. But so do people who stand all day. One possible solution is to have an area with standing tables where staff who spend most of their day sitting can get up and have a ‘standing break’ for short periods of time.
The workstation is where staff will spend the bulk of their working day, which makes it a priority when planning for comfort and productivity.
Standard workstations are usually set to approximately 74 cm – this rarely suits everyone. Desks that are adjustable for height could be a viable solution. If this is not possible, something as simple as height adjustable keypads can make a difference.
In order to effectively design a workplace for maximum output, we need to ask the question, ‘What will each employee be doing at their workstation?’
Employees who spend all of their working hours on a computer will do well with a simple rectangular layout. If handwriting and computer input is required, they will find their work flow easier with a curved L desk. Avoid 90 degree corners as they tend to create increased demand for reaching.
Will multiple screens be used? If so, allow enough room for proper setup.
If multiple screens will be used the workplace should allow enough room for proper setup.
What about keyboard trays?
Keyboard trays are unnecessary with adjustable work desks. If the desk is a standard height, keyboard trays should be wide enough to support both the mouse and keyboard on one level surface. Reaching to the desktop to operate the mouse is not ergonomic.
Is storage required? Pedestals or drawers under the work area may restrict leg clearance. Cupboards positioned over the work area can promote reaching if materials are accessed regularly.
If you’re going to spend money on only one thing, it should be the chair. Office seating is the best place to spend money with the highest return on investment in regards to comfort, spinal health and productivity. Look for a good quality, fully adjustable ergonomic chair that allows movement and ease of adjustment. Back support is key. The chair should first and foremost provide sufficient lumbar support in an adjustable height and tilt back rest. Buy the best you can afford.
You’d think buying a chair would be fairly straightforward, but there are several things to consider. Fabric or mesh? Dynamic or static? Armrests or no armrests? Will more than one person be using the chair?
The right answer varies (except regarding dynamic vs. static… dynamic is always the winner). In a warm environment fabric chairs are the best way to go. Armrests are ideal IF they adjust and do not restrict proper set up. They are also perfect for meeting rooms. If more than one person will be using the chair, look for the most adjustment possible to accommodate all sizes of people.
Once again, it is important to understand what each individual employee will be doing. What software will they be using? Do they use touch screen technology? If so, standard setup will encourage awkward postures such as reaching.
Will staff spend hours on the mouse scrolling through documents or typing? This will help to understand if the number pad on a keyboard is an irritating addition or a necessity. Keyboards that come with number pads can cause staff to reach for their mouse over the number pad – resulting in awkward static shoulder postures. If the employee is going to be spending the bulk of their time typing, a keyboard with a natural layout that separates the keys and promotes neutral wrist postures is perfect.
How big a monitor do employees really need? Bigger is not always better. For multiple users, monitors should be mounted on adjustable arms. This allows employees to position the height and avoid awkward neck postures.
Lighting is another issue worth consideration.
Envision yourself in a fancy restaurant with dim lighting – how do you typically position yourself when trying to reach the menu? Head bent forward? Squinting your eyes? This happens in workplaces too. If lighting is poor, workers spend more time with heir neck bent down trying to read documents. This leads to muscle strain and fatigue.
In contrast, too much light can lead to glare, which causes eye strain, dry eyes and headaches. Picture yourself on a patio on a sunny day trying to read.
So how can we provide good lighting?
Some guidelines include:
Once again, in order to provide the best ergonomic solution, it is important to understand what the employee will be doing and how they will spend their day. Staff who spend all their time on the computer require much lower light levels than those who will be engaging in meetings, reading and paperwork.
In this article, we’ve given you a number of tips on how to provide an efficient, comfortable workplace with the goal of maximizing productivity and employee satisfaction (while minimizing sick days and the expense of missed days… which brings it’s own kind of sickness!)
However, the best results are unique to the various work conditions and goals of each company. For the best results, have an Ergonomic Risk Assessment done. At Ayrton we can work with you to review the current work design and organizational factors in your workplace, identify ay ergonomic equipment requirements and provide on the spot advice and assistance to attain optimum layout of the workstations. This varies from computer workstations to machine set up on a production floor. There are minimum legislative requirements and we can help assure you’re workplace meets them. Applying ergonomics in the workplace reduces the likelihood of accidents, reduces the potential for injury and ill health such as aches and pains of the wrists, shoulders and back, and improves performance and productivity. Get in touch today!
(021) 421 0331
Info@ayrton.ie
Tips To Improve Food Safety in Your Business
A big problem for managers and food business owners is keeping their employees motivated about food safety. Hospitality workers have long grumbled over the seemingly excessive rules and regulations when dealing with food prep and service. They feel like recording everything to within an inch of its life, ticking off endless checklists, responding to the same questions again and again, knowing instinctively that the answer will be near identical, is a waste of time. And this is the attitude that can get businesses in trouble.
The Food Safety Authority are there to act as a body to which all food businesses are answerable and their tight grip over food prep and service, should not be underestimated considering that every month the HSE food safety authority take action on noncomplying food businesses around the country.
A strict and well documented food safety strategy is a must. At the end of the day, the steps taken are there to protect both the business and the consumer from harm and it is with this in mind that managers and employees should approach this responsibility. Acceptance is the only path forward, so you might as well start today (especially if you consider that a closure order is tantamount to a death sentence for a food business)
If you have been lagging behind on your food safety management within your food business, the first step you can take is to establish a HACCP system within all food prep and handling areas. And you can do that today.
Have a sconce at the FSAI website here https://www.fsai.ie/food_businesses/haccp/principles_of_haccp.html to begin this process and reaffirm your commitment and obligation as a food service provider to maintain the highest standards possible when cooking and preparing food.
The next logical step is to ensure that all your staff are trained up, signed off and diligently working to maintain these standards that you as a business owner, have spent money and time investing in. If you are looking into making this step, you can check out our courses here https://www.ayrton.ie/course-category/food-safety/
The number one cause of food poisoning is poor personal hygiene. So, if you’re looking to hammer home the idea of food safety with your employees here are some simple tips to get you started:
Let us know what you’re biggest challenge is in your food business or any tips you might have for keeping food safety at the fore of your business.
The sun is shining across our beautiful country and long may it last!
We should make the most of it as it doesn’t happen very often but it’s still important to know there is a dark side to sunshine – or that there is a risk of getting skin cancer from the sun in Ireland, but there is! Workers in the construction, outdoor and farming industries need to take special care as The Irish Cancer Society reports that one in four skin cancer deaths are in these sectors.
Research conducted in the UK emerged showing that working in the sun could lead to one death and five melanoma cases each week! Construction workers diagnosed with melanoma skin cancer had the highest number of deaths (4 in 10), followed by agriculture workers (2 in 10).
In a country like Ireland where sunshine is measured in hours, rather than days, it’s hard to believe that in 2014, for example, we had around one death every week related to sun exposure at work. Every year in Ireland, over 10,000 people are diagnosed with skin cancer.
Here are 5 actionable tips to stay safe when working in the sun:
Something’s Shady
Where possible, stay in the shade to limit your direct exposure to UV rays from the sun.
Cover up!
Wear a hat with a brim that gives shade to the face, neck, head and ears. Cover up as much exposed skin as possible.
Sunglasses
Longterm exposure to UV exposure can lead to cataracts and cancer so wear sunglasses on sunny days to protect your eyes.
Sunscreen
Wear sunscreen of SPF 15 or higher from May to September. Don’t forget that sunscreen has an expiration date, so make sure yours is still good.
Know your local UV index
If your local UV index is 3 or higher, then you have to be extra careful in the sun and be sure to stay sun safe!
The mere mention of asbestos is enough to send a shiver of concern through most people – and rightly so. Asbestos is still a cause of many work-related deaths and remains a source of misery and ill-health all over the world over. Deaths from asbestosis are exceptionally rare in Ireland but cases of pleural mesothelioma, a cancer of the lung linings caused by inhaling tiny amounts of asbestos fibres, often decades earlier, are on the rise.
However In Ireland, Asbestos-related deaths are expected to hit a record high in the next few years as the legacy of decades of ignorance about the cancer- causing building material hits home.
Asbestos has some remarkable properties
Asbestos is the common name for six different naturally occurring silicate minerals. They comprise of long, thin fibrous crystals, and many can be mined and manufactured into an astounding array of construction materials and commercial products.
It can also be added to cement, plastics and other substances and can be extremely resistant to heat, flame, and electrical and chemical damage. It can absorb sound. It also has a high tensile strength and is very flexible and lightweight.
Asbestos is a natural product – and still mined today
Unlike many toxic substances found in the workplace and which are manmade, asbestos is a naturally occurring material. A silicate mineral with long, thin fibrous crystals, asbestos is mined from the earth – a practice which is still carried out in Russia, China, Brazil, Kazakhstan and, up until 2011, in Canada. In 2009, two million tonnes of asbestos were mined worldwide.
The body isn’t equipped to flush out Asbestos
Unlike many toxins, which the human body can cleanse out, asbestos fibers remain in the system once they are inhaled or ingested. Since they are microscopic, the fibers can slip through the lungs’ natural filtration system. Typically, after being inhaled, they then penetrate outwardly through the membrane which covers the lungs and lines the chest cavity, called the mesothelium. The fibers can also be swallowed, in which case they may end up in the peritoneal (stomach) cavity.
Asbestos can cause several different diseases
Asbestos is a carcinogen, and may lead to one or more diseases in those who have inhaled it. The most common asbestos-related condition is pleural plaques, which are small areas of fibrous collagen tissue that usually occur on the parietal pleura. They are not pre-cancerous, but they do indicate asbestos exposure. Prolonged inhalation of Asbestos fibres can cause various serious and fatal illnesses including pneumoconiosis, lung cancer and mesothelioma.
Asbestos is a key concern in residential properties
While new construction regulations require homeowners to appoint a project supervisor for health and safety when carrying out works, which would include checking for asbestos. The residential sector is very hard to monitor and awareness among homeowners needs to be increased.
Ayrton combine specialist qualifications with over 25 years experience having undertaken surveys on projects of all sizes in the asbestos field. The company are members of “Asbestos in Materials Scheme” (AIMS) for the analysis of materials for asbestos fibres and the “Regular Interlaboratory Counting Exchange” (RICE) for airborne fibre counting and analysis. These schemes are required by the HSA “Practical Guidelines on ACM Management and Abatement” for Asbestos Consultancy companies as proof of competency.
For more information on Asbestos related courses here
April brings us Stress Awareness Month, which aims to increase our awareness about stress; highlighting the causes, the negative effects on the mind and body, and how to relieve stress.
Everyone’s job is stressful in its own way, whether you are office or site based, but what makes the difference is the way you respond to these situations. Also more physically demanding jobs like working in construction can more often than not be associated with more physical affects on our health and the affects on our mental wellbeing gets forgotten.
It’s normal to get stressed or down over work issues, we’ve all been there. But we sometimes need to take a step back and look at how we respond to stressful situations, to avoid it affecting our mental wellbeing and day to day life.
Here are 5 stress busters to help you get through the day happily and stress-free!
1. Label your feelings. Sometimes, just admitting your feelings can calm you down. Try to figure out what that negative emotion is and just boil it down to two words. Thinking to yourself “I’m overwhelmed” or “I’m frazzled” can surprisingly go a long way into calming yourself down. Also focus on the positive aspects of your day, even if they’re only small, to lift your mood and help you focus on other problems.
2. Take a breath. Yes this might seem like an obvious one, but it’s important to breathe slowly & deeply. Before reacting to the next stressful occurrence, take three deep breaths and release them slowly. If you have a few minutes, try out a relaxation technique such as meditation.
3. Grub. Food glorious food! Now we don’t mean go out and buy a box of donuts (although that’s definitley an option!) but sometimes, stress can be seriously intensified by certain mundane things—like taking care of your physical needs. If your
blood sugar level is low, eating can help turn your bad mood around after just a few bites. Fatty acids and spicy foods might even help a little extra. Go out and buy your favourite lunch, it will help big time!
4. Laugh out loud! We all know laughing can put us in a better mood, but it’s a better stress cure than you may realize. Studies show that people who laugh the “most heartily,” show bigger drops in stress levels. Laughter really is the best medicine, and while it isn’t always possible to plop down on the couch and watch your favorite comedy, you can surround your self with upbeat, positive and comedic people when feeling the crunch of stress.
5. Run and Exercise. Yep, would be everyone’s first choice. Going hell for leather on a treadmill isn’t everyones cup of tea, or doing that gym class your mates keep going on about isn’t for you. BUT exercising is good for the body AND mind. Exercise prepares your body for stress, because your body thinks you’re in a stressful situation. So, your brain releases chemicals to help fight that stress, which is why you feel that endorphin high after you’re finished. Even if it’s short, get a little exercise in and you’ll feel much better.
Ayrton Group provide a Stress Management course which is designed to help you identify symptoms of stress and locate the source of stress. This course can show you how to be more aware of yourself and your surroundings and how to take an active role in caring for yourself and others in your workplace that may be affected by stress. See more here: https://bit.ly/2q3jOWr
What is Ergonomics? It is the science of designing a workplace with the capabilities and limitations of your employees at the forefront. Poor worksite design leads to fatigued, frustrated employees which can consequently leads to poor performance, productivity and potentially injury. Ergonomics is concerned with the relationship between people, the tasks they undertake, the equipment they use and the environments in which they work. It aims to put people first, taking account of their capabilities and limitations. Applying ergonomics in the workplace reduces the likelihood of accidents, the potential for injury and ill health such as aches and pains of the wrists, shoulders and back.
Therefore, a systematic workplace ergonomics improvement process removes risk factors that lead to injuries and allows for improved human performance and productivity and therefore lowers cost.
In a nutshell, a proactive approach to Ergonomics is a strategic continuous improvement process that makes a positive impact on the entire business.
Here are some of the positive benefits;
By reducing ergonomic risk factors, you can ensure you prevent costs associated with any employee injuries which can be prohibitive.
By designing a workplace to allow for good posture, less exertion, fewer motions and better heights and reaches, the workstation becomes more efficient and therefore employee productivity.
Poor ergonomics leads to frustrated and fatigued workers that don’t do their best work. In particular, when a job task is too physically taxing on an employee, they may not perform their job like they were trained too.
When companies put forward their best efforts to ensure health and safety, employees notice. If an employee does not experience fatigue and discomfort during their workday, it can reduce turnover, decrease absenteeism, improve morale and increase employee involvement.
Ergonomics promotes a stronger safety culture in your organsations and shows your commitment to safety and health as a core value. Healthy employees are your most valuable asset; creating and fostering the safety & health culture at your company will lead to better human performance and lower costs for your organisation.
Ayrton Group can carry out an effective Ergonomics Risk Assessment for your organisation and employees, please contact us for more information.