February is Heart Health Month, and we’re taking the opportunity this month to spread awareness about how recent research has revealed adults in the construction industry have a higher risk of cardiovascular disease as compared to other industries.
Increased risk is attributed to lifestyle factors, and this industry works hard. Physical strain on the job is common; extreme temperatures, tight spaces, risky heights, and physically demanding labor, at an often intense pace, put your team at an increased risk for cardiovascular injury.
According to the American Heart Association, 1 in 25 construction workers have been diagnosed with cardiovascular disease.
The Mount Sinai Selikoff Centers for Occupational Health sheds further light on the specific risks encountered in the industry, symptoms of a heart condition, and prevention tips.
There is no better time than now to emphasize the importance of cardiovascular well-being, on the job site, and for life.
Rental equipment can be a valuable tool in safeguarding the cardiovascular well-being of your team by minimizing risks and achieving tasks with less required physical strain.
1. Reducing Physical Strain: Continuous manual lifting of heavy objects, climbing risky heights, or transporting bulk industrial material can exert pressure on the heart. Power lifts or material handlers can lessen the physical toll that hard work can put on your team and maximize safety.
2. Mitigating Environmental Exposures: Sometimes your team needs to work in environments with pollutants or extreme temperatures; enclosed and climate-controlled cabs can offer your workers an extra layer of protection from these environmental factors, safeguarding your team’s cardiovascular health.
3. Minimizing Stress and Pressure: Knowing your equipment is well-maintained, meets safety standards, and is available when you need it means that you and your team can focus on the job. Your heart is healthier when physiological stress is reduced!
4. Promoting Safe Practices: Leave the heavy lifting to the equipment built for it. Our rental equipment comes with important built-in safety features and ergonomic designs to reduce the risk of accidents and injuries, mitigating potential risks that could strain the heart.
5. Encouraging Movement and Ergonomics: Musculoskeletal strain can occur from repetitive movements and awkward postures, increasing the risk of developing cardiovascular diseases. Utilizing rental equipment such as scissor lifts and aerial platforms can promote better ergonomics by providing adjustable working heights and improved accessibility.
Let’s look out for each other, and prioritize the health of our teams!
For more information on the Occupation Safety Trainings offered by Atlantic Lift Systems, check out our Operator Training Programs.
Stay safe out there!