Workers who have had a previous injury should consult their doctor before starting an exercise program. If you work out, that helps. In fact, ergonomics experts strongly recommend doing this. If you feel pain, you've stretched too far. Stretching helps opposing muscle groups work in a more coordinated fashion. Morning warm-up exercises conducted with construction workers, for example, can be beneficial for increasing or maintaining joint muscle flexibility. There are two types of stretches – static and ballistic stretches. Body stretches. These can be done as start-of-shift warm up exercises. Stretching enhances nerve impulse velocity (the time it takes an impulse to travel to the brain and back to the muscle). Am I right? Below are links to a number of resources that will help you evaluate the merits of workplace stretching programs. Farm work is hard work, and farm workers feel the results. Also, apply a fulcrum to increase the intensity. These workers typically are exposed to manual materials handling and strenuous working positions. A third of the injuries that cause them to miss work are sprains and strains, and a quarter are back injuries. Promoting a health, safety and team culture. Hold a sustained stretch for 30 seconds - Don’t bounce when stretching. Better yet, stretch after a workout. And if you think that’s without it’s health risks, you’d be seriously mistaken. You might drive to work, sit down at your desk for at least 6 hours at work, drive home, and sit down to watch TV or read a book. Practical training in warming-up, stretching and manual handling Many work-related injuries can be avoided if workers physically prepare themselves before engaging in demanding activities. Get advice to avoid injury - Check with your doctor or health professional before stretching if you have an injury, are unsure of how to stretch properly or have had a previous injury. Static Stretches – stretching when the position is held for a given amount of time, usually 15-30 seconds. Before stretching, warm up with five to 10 minutes of light activity. • You should not feel pain when stretching Office STRETCHES ©2014 1. These are also the most common causes of disability. That’s also true if they have current back pain. In time, the manual material handling injuries at this company went way down and the moral improved – both due to my pre-shift on-the-job stretching program. Rest periods give the body time to recover from work; breaktime exercises and stretches strengthen the body. So next time you’re feeling a bit fidgety or you’re on your lunch break, try these 15 office stretching exercises. TYPES OF STRETCHES . When I was doing an intense manual stretching session and then I was putting the extender , during the 1h ext session my fsl was a lot smaller cause my tissues was becoming harder from the manual stretching prior to extending. Workers should think of themselves as Industrial Athletes; athletes wouldn’t participate in a sport … Instituting a Work Readiness System promotes a health, safety and team culture day in and … Heavy manual labour is most demanding on the muscles of the middle and lower back, shoulders and hips, and to a lesser extent, on the muscles of the arms, forearms and knees … They can be done before and after heavy work. Hold a stretch for about 30 seconds, to the point of a slight pull, on each side. Breathe through your stretches. Keep stretches gentle and slow. 2. Ergonomic injury risk factors include forceful movements, repetitive motions, awkward postures, and lack of rest. Farm workers get backaches and pains in the shoulders, arms, and hands more than any other health problem. These stretches are for heavy work such as digging, lifting, wheel barrowing and general labouring. 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