3 Health Hazards in the Office and How to Avoid Them​
  • Entrepreneurship
  • Money
  • Leadership
    • Career
    • Education
    • Jobs
    • Men
    • Women
  • Technology
  • Lifestyle
  • Events
    • Black Men Xcel
    • Entrepreneurs Summit
    • TechConneXt
    • Women of Power
    • American Black Film Festival
    • ABFF Honors
  • Lists
  • Magazine
  • Videos
  • TV Shows
    • Our World
    • Women of Power
25 black women who are changing the world

January/February 2018

Black Enterprise
  • Entrepreneurship
  • Money
  • Leadership
    • Career
    • Education
    • Jobs
    • Men
    • Women
  • Technology
  • Lifestyle
  • Events
    • Black Men Xcel
    • Entrepreneurs Summit
    • TechConneXt
    • Women of Power
    • American Black Film Festival
    • ABFF Honors
  • Lists
  • Magazine
  • Videos
  • TV Shows
    • Our World
    • Women of Power

3 Health Hazards at the Office and How to Avoid Them​

Janell Hazelwood
by  Janell Hazelwood
June 20, 2016
3 Health Hazards at the Office and How to Avoid Them​
(Image: iStock.com/Susan Chiang)
Health Hazards

(Image: iStock.com/Susan Chiang)

The average morning commute to the office can be a walk on the wild side for any CEO or entrepreneur with today’s traffic conditions, especially in major cities such as Chicago, Los Angeles, and New York. Hazards might be abound even before you get to the office, but what about those present once you arrive?

With some entrepreneurs spending at least 62 hours per week working–and some burning the midnight oil past 70 hours–it’s evident how vital it is to have a healthy daily workplace experience.

Check out three health hazards that might present themselves in the office, and how you can avoid or combat them:

1. Joint Conditions

Experts say repetitive movements can cause discomfort or even injury from conditions such as carpal tunnel syndrome, and sitting all day can cause stiffness, pain, or even blood clots.

The Solution?

The National Institute of Health recommends participation in on-the-job conditioning, performing stretching exercises, and taking frequent rest breaks. It also suggests having workstations, tasks, tools, and tool handles redesigned to enable your wrists to maintain a natural position during work.

2. Airborne Hazards

According to the CDC, more than 17 million adults in the U.S. have asthma (including allergic asthma). Indoor triggers of asthma include dust mites, mold, and insects.

These triggers also affect those without asthma, causing breathing issues and skin irritations. The CDC indicates that indoor environmental air quality at your workplace can be affected by various factors; from caulks, sealants, and coatings, to air fresheners and other scented products. Potential health issues related to these factors include headaches, dizziness, fatigue, and irritation of the eyes, nose, and throat.

The Solution?

The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) recommends to avoid blocking air vents with office furniture, complying with (or enforcing) a company smoking policy to only smoke in designated office areas, and disposing of all garbage promptly in the proper receptacle.

Employers are also encouraged to create additional policies that protect non-smokers from second-hand smoke, enforce rules on trash disposal, keep up with HVAC system updates, and maintain great pest control practices.

Using environmentally friendly cleaning products, office supplies, and even furniture can do wonders as well. If you have asthma or allergies, be sure to keep a supply of the necessary medications at the office for emergencies.

3. Fatty Food Temptations

This doesn’t have a direct link to immediate health emergencies, however, over time, multiple trips to the vending machine for sugar and fat-filled snacks definitely doesn’t help in reaching wellness goals.

The Solution?

Drink lots of water throughout the day and keep a stash of your own healthy snacks at the office. Experts tout the benefits of drinking a full glass of water before eating to avoid overindulging. Also, the more healthy snacks you invest in to munch on at your desk, the less likely you’ll spend the extra dollar or two on that bag of chips, chocolate bar, or soda.

Join the Conversation


MORE ON BlackEnterprise.com
authentic at work
Career
Millennial Moves: How to Stay Authentic at Work
Janell Hazelwood
by  Alisa Gumbs
Money Smart Week
Featured Stories
Money Smart Week Helps Keep You in the Black
Janell Hazelwood
by  Robin White Goode
obama foundation
Featured Stories
Obama Foundation To Train 200 Emerging African Leaders
Janell Hazelwood
by  Adedamola Agboola

BETV

TRENDING

  • Baltimore May Sell Homes for $1 to Revive Neglected…
  • Spotify is Looking for New Female Podcasters of Color
  • Meet Melissa Harville-Lebron: The First Black Woman to Own a
  • Free Money? The Top 10 Grants Available to Black, Minority…
  • 7 Top Grants Or Free Money For Black Women Entrepreneurs
  • U.S. Small Business Administration and Milken Institute…
  • 5 Books Every Millennial Entrepreneur Must Read
  • Top WNBA Salaries vs. NBA Salaries: Who Earns More? [2017…
  • Meet the Dallas Mavericks’ New CEO
  • Chance the Rapper Hosts Holiday Party to Help the Homeless
Women of Power WOMEN OF POWER SUMMIT
Entrepreneurs Summit ENTREPRENEURS SUMMIT
American Black File Festival AMERICAN BLACK FILM FESTIVAL
Our World OUR WORLD WITH BLACK ENTERPRISE
Women of Power TV WOMEN OF POWER TV
25 black women who are changing the world
SUBSCRIBE
GIVE A GIFT
CUSTOMER SERVICE
  • © 2018
  • BLACK ENTERPRISE
  • Management
  • About
  • Privacy Policy
  • Contact
  • Site Map
  • Masthead
  • Media Kit