5 Exercises You Should Be Doing To Reduce Workplace Injuries

As a manufacturing employee, you are inundated with tips on safe working practices throughout your day. These tips are typically centered around accident prevention like team lifting, keeping work areas free of cords and debris, spill clean-up, etc. However, many safety programs are lax when it comes to helping you understand how you can prevent injuries through exercise. Injuries often occur when muscles are overloaded with stress due to overuse. By exercising and stretching specific muscles, you can protect yourself from very common injuries.

Work these five simple exercises into your daily routine to reduce the chances you’ll be injured on the job.

One: Standing Lunges

  • Stand up.
  • Keeping your upper body straight, step forward with one leg, lowering your hips towards the floor until both knees are at a 90-degree angle. Be careful not to let your front knee go out over your toes.
  • Stand up and return the back foot back to the center. Repeat with other leg.
  • Complete 10 lunges with each leg.
  • You can use a chair or other support device to help you keep your balance.

Two: Toe Touches

  • Stand up and spread your legs hip’s width apart.
  • Bend forward and touch your toes, keeping a slight bend in your knee.
  •  If you cannot reach your toes, rest hands on your shins or knees. Hold for 15 seconds.
  • Repeat several times throughout the day.

Three: Triceps Stretch

  • Stand with hands high above your head and fingers clasped together.
  • Bend your elbows and drop your hands behind your head to try to touch your upper back while keeping your hands clasped together.
  • Keep your elbows as close to your ears as possible.
  • Hold for 15 seconds.
  • Repeat several times throughout the day.

Four: Bicep Stretch

  1. Stand with your hands clasped behind your back, palms together.
  2. Keeping your arms straight. Bend forward at the waist and allow your arms to raise behind your back until you feel a stretch in your bicep.
  3. Hold for ten seconds.
  4. Repeat several times throughout the day.

Five: Rotator Cuff Strengthening

  • Stand upright.
  • Roll shoulders forward ten times. Next, roll shoulder to the back ten times.
  • Keeping your arms straight, move your arms in large circles front and back, ten seconds each.
  • Stretch your right arm across your chest, holding with your left arm. Breathe deeply for ten seconds.
  • Repeat with your opposite side.

Does Your Workplace Promote Health And Wellness?

Manufacturing, warehouse, and plant workers are extremely susceptible to injuries. Exercises like these, performed before work, during work, and after work can help keep muscles loose and pliable. However, it is also essential to work for a company that values your safety, health, and wellness.

If you are seeking new job opportunities and you want to put an expert in your corner, talk to the recruiters at Employment Professionals Canada.   Browse our current openings to apply online or contact us directly to learn more.