Health Essentials
How safe is your workplace?
We all agree that “decent work must be safe” yet many of us have not shown enough commitment; governments, employers and employees all have duties, rights and responsibilities to ensure the highest priority is accorded to the principle of prevention.
Statistics show that where institutions invest in prevention measures over a period of time, a significant decrease in work-related accidents and occupational disease takes place.
This is an opportune time for all workplaces to start the process of ensuring their workplaces are safe and providing the appropriate information that all categories of staff can understand is the best start point.
Guy Ryder ILO Director General could not have put it better when he stated; “to move forward it is necessary to close the data gap, because knowledge is the key to prevention.”
Some areas that require prompt action in most workplaces include:
• Signaling that safety is a priority
o Right from the entrance to the workplace, appropriate notices should show the commitment to safety and health.
• Appropriate markings for walkways
o Vehicles and humans should not compete for the right of way especially in places with trucks etc. there should be clearly demarcated areas for pedestrians.
• Management of extreme temperatures
o In our setting, extreme heat is a major challenge. Workplace design should place emphasis on proper ventilation and in places that are already built, structural changes may be needed in addition to industrial fans and easy access to clean drinking water.
• Fire drills and evacuation plans
o If employees are not aware of what to do in the event of a fire for instance, then it needs to be tackled immediately.
o There should be a plan in place and all team members must know the plan.
• First Aid awareness
o What does one do in the event of an injury or other potentially fatal event occurs? Employees and even employers need to be equipped with basic first aid skills.
• Ergonomics
o Many of the aches and pains we experience are caused by poor posture at work and even beyond. This affects those seated in offices as well as those operating machinery or working on the floors. Correct techniques, taking appropriate breaks and balancing effect on the body should be taught and practiced.
• Use of PPEs
o Many employees have access to these and know its use but still fail to make use of them. Regular knowledge sharing and understanding will eventually bring a positive change.
• Managing Stress
o Stress is a window to many disease conditions and poor performance and it is important all workplaces address this.
o Time management and wellness programmes including exercises help to combat this.
• Avoiding clutter
o When your work area is messy, not only are you at risk of injury, you also feel harassed or stressed out and cause more errors.
• Other Interventions
o I believe workplaces should have happy hours for more interaction (may not need to be physical only), they should also take part in programmes like DUMP where unused or expired medicines are collected safely and the appropriate agency contacted to help dispose off. Harbouring such medications has often resulted in poisoning, addictions etc.
o Once again won’t it be great if your workplace actively encourages “ICE” – IN CASE OF EMERGENCY. Save at least two numbers on your cell phone beginning with ICE e.g. ICE Kojo 090…..when you are not in a position to help yourself, anyone who picks up your phone will be able to contact someone who knows a lot about you.
• Create a Green-Space
o Concrete has taken over most of our living spaces. It is very rewarding to have some plants indoors and outdoors as well as greenery such as a lawn. It doesn’t matter even if it’s a tiny strip. People will gladly take their lunch breaks in “nature” and return to work invigorated.
The list is endless but let us start with the basics and work our way to a safe and healthy work environment with PREVENTION at the fore.
Employers need to be aware that provision of personal protective equipment is not the all in all. PPEs should be seen as the last line of defense for the employee. Prior to using the PPEs the employer must ensure that machines, equipment, processes and the premises are free of risk to the health of all workers.
Employees also play a crucial role and it is expected that they will all actively cooperate with employers in the implementation of the preventive and protective measures.
It is important that workplaces have a visible occupational health and safety specialist or in the absence of one a safety officer who will coordinate all processes such as risk assessment and management, monitoring of working environment and practices that may affect worker’s health, advice on planning and organisation of work, designing and implementation of preventive programmes and even appropriate referrals to healthcare and rehabilitation.
If we made a conscious effort to calculate the money drained off that is related to lost working time, treatment of occupational injuries and diseases, interruptions in production, rehabilitation and compensation, it will leave no doubt in our minds that prevention is a PRIORITY!
AS ALWAYS LAUGH OFTEN, ENSURE HYGIENE, WALK AND PRAY EVERYDAY AND REMEMBER IT’S A PRICELESS GIFT TO KNOW YOUR NUMBERS (blood sugar, blood pressure, blood cholesterol, BMI)
Dr Kojo Cobba Essel
Health Essentials Ltd
dressel@healthessentialsgh.com
*Dr. Essel is a medical doctor with a keen interest in Lifestyle Medicine, He holds an MBA and is an ISSA Specialist in exercise therapy, fitness nutrition and corrective exercise. He is the author of the award-winning book, ‘Unravelling The Essentials of Health & Wealth.’
Thought for the week – “Economic recession or pressure to maximize profits cannot justify cutting corners in workplace safety” – Guy Ryder. ILO Director General. (28th April 2015)
References:
• United Nations Website (un. org)
• International Labour Organization website
- A messy work area puts one at risk of injury
By Dr Kojo Cobba Essel
Health Essentials
Demystifying nausea
Nausea is a very common complaint and almost everyone experiences this sometime in their life. It is an experience that occurs with the feeling that you are about to vomit. When you are nauseated you may feel weak, sweaty and have too much saliva in your mouth.
You may even vomit. Pregnancy, illness and motion sickness are among the long list of conditions that may cause nausea.
Over the past 48 hours I have had at least six people complain about nausea to me, and I feel that is a signal that we re-visit this common complaint.
Nausea and vomiting are usually completely normal reactions but may also signal an underlying serious condition.
They are often your body’s response to foreign substances or irritants. Your brain may signal the urge to vomit if you eat contaminated food or contract a stomach virus.
Common causes of nausea
Nausea is often associated with distaste for food or an urge to vomit. People with nausea may also feel the urge to retch. This occurs when your chest and abdominal muscles contract without your control.
Some of the common conditions that may present with nausea (with or without vomiting) include:
1. Abdominal causes
a. Gastroenteritis – may be caused by a viral or bacterial infection
b. Peptic ulcers
c. Food poisoning or food allergies
d. Overeating
e. Liver disease
2. Medication
a. Several medicines may cause this. Antibiotics are a common culprit and so are drugs used in the management of cancer.
3. Problems with the head and neck
a. Migraine headaches or motion sickness.
b. Stroke
c. Head injury
d. Infection in and around the brain or brain tumour
e. Diseases of the ear
4. Hormonal changes
a. Including those that lead to morning sickness during pregnancy
5. Toxins in the blood
a. Such as alcohol and nicotine
6. Other conditions
a. Diabetes
b. Appendicitis
c. Urinary tract infection, intestinal obstruction
7. When to seek emergency care
Quite often nausea will not require urgent medical attention. The problems are usually short-lived, lasting just a few minutes to several hours and subsiding on its own within 24 hours. Seek immediate attention if you have any of the following:
1. Vomiting that is blood or bile stained
2. Fever greater than 38 degrees Celsius
3. Severe abdominal pain
4. Headache and a stiff neck
5. Vomiting for more than 24 hours
6. Signs of dehydration, including increased thirst, dry mouth or infrequent urination.
Tips to make recovery brisk and smooth
• Take small amounts of clear liquids such as water or flat ginger drinks
• Avoid caffeinated beverages such as cola, coffee and tea
• Eat small meals every few hours. This helps your stomach digest food gradually
• Avoid odours such as tobacco, perfumes or strong cooking smells
• Bland foods that can absorb stomach acids are preferred and these include rice, crackers and unbuttered bread.
Dear reader, next time you experience that uncomfortable feeling in the chest, stomach or back of the throat, remember that it may stop as suddenly as it started but never ignore it if it is associated with major warning signs.
AS ALWAYS LAUGH OFTEN, ENSURE HYGIENE, WALK AND PRAY EVERYDAY AND REMEMBER IT’S A PRICELESS GIFT TO KNOW YOUR NUMBERS (blood sugar, blood pressure, blood cholesterol, BMI)
Dr. Kojo Cobba Essel
Health Essentials Ltd (HE&W Group)
(dressel@healthessentialsgh. com)
*Dr. Essel is a Medical Doctor with a keen interest in Lifestyle Medicine, He holds an MBA and is an ISSA Specialist in Exercise Therapy, Fitness Nutrition and Corrective Exercise. He is the author of the award-winning book, ‘Unravelling The Essentials of Health & Wealth.’
Thought for the week – “The next big thing in Healthcare in Ghana is the Medics Clinic. Send me an email at dressel@healthessentialsgh. com for more information.”
References:
1. www.webmd.com
2. Health Ink Communications
By Dr. Kojo Cobba Essel
Health Essentials
Are you still waiting to fall sick before eating well?
This week I feature an amazing writer as we take a break from the discussion on Nutrition. After reading the article I just had to share.
Diet tips nauseate many people, they just do not want to hear them. Often, they say, now that they can afford food; they are being asked not to eat. These comments make us dieticians feel unwanted by such persons.
We do know that people who make excuses to be able to eat just any how do lack the necessary understanding of how food can damage their health and ruin their lives. To them, food is just meant to be enjoyed as a reward for their hard work. This is a sorry situation, I must admit. Not everything you can afford is good for your health.
On the contrary, I have come across some persons who can even afford all the food in the world but exercise a lot of restraints, just so they eat only what is healthy and safe for them. They are well informed about the fact that eating just anyhow can make them sick. This is good and anyone who falls under this category is encouraged to continue being who they are.
The food you eat determines how healthy you become in the medium to long term. Non-communicable diseases i.e. diabetes, hypertension, obesity, heart diseases, etc can be brought upon you just because you eat just anything food in the wrong quantities and at the wrong times.
And so, eating the right foods can also make it possible for you to avoid these lifelong diseases.
Pay attention to what you eat, let what you eat be in your plans for the day. Then plan for the food to be available, so you eat on time. Do not be like those who just start their day and only know about food when hunger strikes; such people always end up eating any food that comes their way.
If possible, cook your own food, and even take some along for lunch when going to work. If you must buy food and you can talk to your catering service provider, talk to them about the need to go low on oil, salt and frying.
Get the catering service provider of your company trained on healthy cooking methods by a qualified dietician so that whatever they churn out for your consumption at work is healthy. On the contrary, when you leave them to do their own thing, you are sure to be eating unhealthy foods. They will only serve you what is delicious and appealing, not what is healthy.
The question is are those nice smelling and nice tasting foods healthy for you? Remember that repeated intake of the wrong foods at work means a lifelong habit of eating bad foods which is a sure way to developing non-communicable diseases.
Do not join those who care-less about what they eat; such people are planning a future of misery with bad diseases. Get it done right and eat the right foods in the right proportions and at the right time.
Get a dietician’s advice on how best to cook and eat your food; you will thank me later!!!
The writer is a Dietician with LETS Consult (Dieticians, Diet foods, Diet books) & Author of the following books;
1. Eating to prevent and manage lifestyle diseases.
2. Live long by eating well – Vol. 1
3. Be your own dietician – Vol. 1
Tel/WhatsApp: 0595667197, Email: letsconsult@gmail.com, Website: www.letsabooks.com
AS ALWAYS LAUGH OFTEN, ENSURE HYGIENE, WALK AND PRAY EVERYDAY AND REMEMBER IT’S A PRICELESS GIFT TO KNOW YOUR NUMBERS (blood sugar, blood pressure, blood cholesterol, BMI)
Dr Kojo Cobba Essel
Health Essentials Ltd (HE&W Group)
(dressel@healthessentialsgh.com)
*Dr. Essel is a Medical Doctor with a keen interest in Lifestyle Medicine, He holds an MBA and is an ISSA Specialist in Exercise Therapy, Fitness Nutrition and Corrective Exercise. He is the author of the award-winning book, ‘Unravelling The Essentials of Health & Wealth.’
Thought for the week – “The majority of us need to Eat Less and remember that one cannot exercise or medicate himself out of a bad diet.”
By Wise Chukwudi Letsa