Prioritize Health and Fitness
One of the easiest ways to stay safer on the job is practicing good health and fitness habits. Utility workers do a lot of heavy lifting, pushing, pulling and hauling every day, and that strain can take a toll on the body. The back and joints, in particular, are at high risk of injury from manual labor tasks.
Because of the physical nature of their work, utility workers face a high risk of developing musculoskeletal disorders. A simple preventive step that costs nothing and only takes a few minutes is stretching muscles before beginning work. Stretching and strength-training can help reduce the risk of strains. Various stretching tutorials can be found online to prevent cramps and muscle injuries and even improve flexibility.
It is important to remember that if an injury does occur on the job, including any kind of aching or back pain, getting it checked out by a medical professional promptly is vital. Back injuries can be particularly dangerous, so pay close attention to potential signs of harm.