3 health hazards in the office and how to avoid them

Originally published on June 20, 2016

The average morning commute to the office might be madness for any CEO or entrepreneur with today’s traffic conditions, especially in major cities like Chicago, Los Angeles, and New York. Hazards may appear before you even get to the office, but what about people who will likely be present when you arrive?

Some entrepreneurs spend a minimum of 62 hours every week at work – and some people burn the midnight oil for 70 hours – it is clear how necessary it’s to have a healthy every day life in the workplace.

Check out three health hazards which will arise in the office and how to avoid or combat them:

1. Common Terms

Experts say repetitive motions may cause discomfort and even injury from conditions reminiscent of carpal tunnel syndrome, and sitting all day may cause stiffness, pain and even blood clots.

Solution?

The National Institute of Health recommends performing fitness exercises at work, doing stretching exercises and taking frequent rest breaks. It also suggests redesigning workstations, tasks, tools and tool handles to allow the wrists to maintain a natural position while working.

2. Airborne threats

According to the CDC, greater than 25 million adults in the US have asthma (including allergic asthma). Indoor asthma triggers include dust mites, mold and insects.

These triggers also affect people without asthma, causing respiration problems and skin irritation. The CDC indicates that quite a lot of aspects can affect indoor air quality in the workplace; from sealants, sealants and coatings, to air fresheners and other scented products. Potential health problems related to these agents include headaches, dizziness, fatigue, and irritation of the eyes, nose, and throat.

Solution?

The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) recommends that you simply avoid blocking air vents with office furniture, follow (or implement) your organization’s smoking policy that smokes only in designated office areas, and get rid of all trash immediately in an appropriate container.

Employers are also encouraged to create additional policies to protect nonsmokers from secondhand smoke, implement garbage disposal regulations, track HVAC system updates, and employ excellent pest control practices.

Using eco-friendly cleansing products, office supplies, and even furniture also can work wonders. If you suffer from asthma or allergies, make certain to keep a supply of essential medications in your office in case of emergencies.

3. Temptations for fatty foods

This will not be directly related to immediate health problems, but over time, repeated visits to vending machines for snacks containing sugar and fat definitely don’t provide help to achieve your health goals.

Solution?

Drink loads of water throughout the day and keep a supply of healthy snacks at the office. Experts (*3*)tout the advantages drinking a full glass of water before eating to avoid overeating. Plus, the more healthy snacks you invest in at your desk, the less likely you’re to spend an additional dollar or two on a bag of chips, a bar of chocolate, or a soda.