Are You Having Trouble Staying Healthy at Work?
Stuffy nose, headaches, watering eyes…we have all, at some point in our lives, experienced a change in physical health due to the environmental conditions around us, whether it’s due to the change in weather or perhaps season.
While we often dismiss these symptoms, or simply blame them on Mother Nature, there are several occasions in which bodily reactions to certain conditions should serve as warning signs that something isn’t right with the surrounding atmosphere.
Here are three telltale signs that your workplace could be making you sick…literally:
1. Headaches
Mold exposure is widely considered as a silent killer, especially in the workplace.
Mold typically hides behind things such as window panes and base boards. Because of that, many employees often struggle with headaches and sinus inflammation without truly understanding why.
They may never realize that those symptoms are attributed to workplace toxins. In order to identify whether or not your headache is worksite-related, it’s important to pay attention to your body.
Do you feel sick the moment you walk into the office? Do you feel yourself getting sicker as the day progresses, but feel better once you’re at home?
These could all be signs that your headaches are more than just typical seasonal allergies.
2. Constant Sneezing
When was the last time you dusted your computer keyboard’s keys?
If you can’t remember, you may be well overdue. Computers and other office equipment are neglected areas, thus havens for dust mites.
If you find yourself constantly coughing and sneezing while engaging in your daily job tasks, a mix of airborne toxins, dust and poor ventilation may be to blame.
Some other factors that contribute poor indoor air quality (IAQ) are: Problems controlling temperature, high or low humidity, and recent remodeling.
In some cases, asbestos exposure has been linked to constant workplace sneezing, and that could lead to even more serious health problems later in life.
3. Skin Irritation
Many people often overlook skin irritation as a symptom caused by chemicals in the workplace.
According to NIOSH, more than 13 million workers in the United States are potentially exposed to chemicals through the skin, which can result in a variety of occupational hazards, such as occupational skin diseases (OSD) and systematic toxicity.
This statistic is even more prevalent in industries in which employees are exposed to paint, cleaning products, and construction materials. If you’ve got irritated skin, it might not stem from the soap you used in the shower.
**Did you know that if the paint is being sprayed in a confined work space, employees continuously exposed must be protected by air line respirators? Even in large, well-ventilated areas, employees, under the same circumstances, must be protected by respirators when paint is being sprayed.
Medical Surveillance Testing
As per OSHA, “medical screening and medical surveillance are two fundamental strategies for optimizing employee health.” In many cases, medical surveillance testing is required
For repeat violations, those penalties may increase up to ten times that amount. If you or your team members are experiencing any of the aforementioned symptoms, it’s vital that you discuss having your worksite assessed, and employees medically tested.
Create a Less Disruptive, More Productive Occupational Health Plan with Worksite Medical!
Are you looking for a way to keep your team safe, while also limiting risk and increasing production? Simplify your medical plan today. We help team leaders like you develop less disruptive, more convenient occupational health plans that comply with complex industry standards, thus creating a healthier, more productive workforce. Take control of your medical testing program, and make sure your team is within NFPA 1582 requirements.
