Occupational safety and health

Occupational safety and health (OSH) is a cross-disciplinary area concerned with protecting the safety, health and welfare of people engaged in work or employment. The goals of occupational safety and health programs include to foster a safe and healthy work environment.^[1] OSH may also protect co-workers, family members, employers, customers, and many others who might be affected by the workplace environment.
Occupational safety and health can be important for moral, legal, and financial reasons. All organisations have a duty of care to ensure that employees and any other person who may be affected by the companies undertaking remain safe at all times.^[2] Moral obligations would involve the protection of employee's lives and health. Legal reasons for OSH practices relate to the preventative, punitive and compensatory effects of laws that protect worker's safety and health. OSH can also reduce employee injury and illness related costs, including medical care, sick leave and disability benefit costs.

Workplace hazards

Physical and mechanical hazards

At-risk workers without appropriate safety equipment

Physical hazards are a common source of injuries in many industries.^[4] They are perhaps unavoidable in many industries such as construction and mining, but over time people have developed safety methods and procedures to manage the risks of physical danger in the workplace. Employment of children may pose special problems.^[5]
Falls are a common cause of occupational injuries and fatalities, especially in construction, extraction, transportation, healthcare, and building cleaning and maintenance.^[6]
An engineering workshop specialising in the fabrication and welding of components has to follow the Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) at work regulations 1992. It is an employers duty to provide ‘all equipment (including clothing affording protection against the weather) which is intended to be worn or held by a person at work which him against one or more risks to his health and safety’. In a fabrication and welding workshop an employer would be required to provide face and eye protection, safety footwear, overalls and other necessary PPE.
Machines are commonplace in many industries, including manufacturing, mining, construction and agriculture,^[7] and can be dangerous to workers. Many machines involve moving parts, sharp edges, hot surfaces and other hazards with the potential to crush, burn, cut, shear, stab or otherwise strike or wound workers if used unsafely.^[8] Various safety measures exist to minimize these hazards, including lockout-tagout procedures for machine maintenance and roll over protection systems for vehicles.^[8] According to the United States Bureau of Labor Statistics, machine-related injuries were responsible for 64,170 cases that required days away from work in 2008. More than a quarter of these cases required more than 31 days spent away from work. That same year, machines were the primary or secondary source of over 600 work-related fatalities.^[9] Machines are also often involved indirectly in worker deaths and injuries, such as in cases in which a worker slips and falls, possibly upon a sharp or pointed object.
Confined spaces also present a work hazard. The National Institute of Occupational Safety and Health defines "confined space" as having limited openings for entry and exit and unfavorable natural ventilation, and which is not intended for continuous employee occupancy. These kind of spaces can include storage tanks, ship compartments, sewers, and pipelines.^[10] Confined spaces can pose a hazard not just to workers, but also to people who try to rescue them.
Noise also presents a fairly common workplace hazard: occupational hearing loss is the most common work-related injury in the United States, with 22 million workers exposed to hazardous noise levels at work and an estimated $242 million spent annually on worker's compensation for hearing loss disability.^[11] Noise is not the only source of occupational hearing loss; exposure to chemicals such as aromatic solvents and metals including lead, arsenic, and mercury can also cause hearing loss.^[12]
Temperature extremes can also pose a danger to workers. Heat stress can cause heat stroke, exhaustion, cramps, and rashes. Heat can also fog up safety glasses or cause sweaty palms or dizziness, all of which increase the risk of other injuries. Workers near hot surfaces or steam also are at risk for burns.^[13] Dehydration may also result from overexposure to heat. Cold stress also poses a danger to many workers. Overexposure to cold conditions or extreme cold can lead to hypothermia, frostbite, trench foot, or chilblains.^[14]
Electricity poses a danger to many workers. Electrical injuries can be divided into four types: fatal electrocution, electric shock, burns, and falls caused by contact with electric energy.^[15]
Vibrating machinery, lighting, and air pressure can also cause work-related illness and injury. Asphyxiation is another potential work hazard in certain situations. Musculoskeletal disorders are avoided by the employment of good ergonomic design and the reduction of repeated strenuous movements or lifts

Health Benefit of Moringa

Health Benefit of Moringa… The miracle story of Moringa and Zija
The story begins with one man viewing a Discovery Channel documentary on a plant grown in far away lands. As he watched, his interest piqued when he observed people literally being sustained by consuming small amounts of this miracle plant. So he began asking the right questions and the answers arrived from the likes of scientists, biochemists, and pharmacologists the world over. The man asking the questions was Ken Brailsford, a super achiever in the nutritional supplement industry, the founder of Zija and the father of herbal encapsulation.
With two other hugely successful nutrition companies to his credit, he knew this plant was a true nutritional miracle. Mr. Brailsford immediately recognized the potential of the practically unknown Moringa plant and all of the health benefit of moringa. Fueled by the desire to share this miracle plant with the world, he dug deeper. He enlisted the research skills of medical professionals and found stacks of supporting research. The findings were overwhelming. And, with decades of research and studies, the Zija team knew that it was time for the world to learn about Moringa – the “Miracle Tree”.

Moringa is a natural, nutritional powerhouse

While it’s one of the newer discoveries to modern science, Moringa has been making strides in various societies for thousands of years. Moringa continues to amaze the scientific world with its amazing balance of antioxidants, minerals and amino acids. Discover the health benefit of moringa by requesting a FREE Sample of our Zija Smart Mix.
Ancient Indian writings, dating as far back as 150 B.C., refer to the Moringa plant and its uses. Early Romans, Greeks, and Egyptians prized Moringa for its therapeutic properties and also used it to protect skin, make perfume, and purify water for drinking. Now this humble plant, often called “the Miracle Tree,” is coming to the forefront through Zija, the Moringa company. We are breaking new ground with the health benefit of moringa.

Nourishing the world

Dozens of humanitarian organizations now promote the use of Moringa in poverty-stricken areas to combat malnutrition and its adverse effects on the body. Groups such as Church World Service, Educational Concerns for Hunger Organization, National Science Foundation, and others are reintroducing the different health benefits of this fast-growing, drought-resistant plant to malnourished people in various underdeveloped areas. While conventional treatments for malnutrition normally take months, healthcare professionals have discovered that people taking Moringa show improvement within days. One of the more amazing things Moringa is being used for is to prevent childhood blindness, a condition that can develop from vitamin A and retinol deficiencies. Moringa contains sufficient amounts of these nutrients to eliminate this condition. To learn more about the health benefit of moringa, request a FREE Sample above.

The word on Moringa is out

Biochemists, natural scientists, and healthcare workers are busy substantiating ancient claims of Moringa’s effectiveness in treating more than 300 conditions. Their research has led to the documentation of its astonishing range of natural vitamins, minerals, and other nutrients.
Many people taking the Health Benefit of Moringa have reported rapid improvements in skin, digestion, eyesight, mental clarity, and overall well-being, plus a reduction in symptoms associated with fatigue, arthritic-like conditions, and aging to name a few.

Eye Health Tips

 

Simple Tips for Healthy Eyes

Your eyes are an important part of your health. There are many things you can do to keep them healthy and make sure you are seeing your best. Follow these simple steps for maintaining healthy eyes well into your golden years.

Have a comprehensive dilated eye exam. You might think your vision is fine or that your eyes are healthy, but visiting your eye care professional for a comprehensive dilated eye exam is the only way to really be sure. When it comes to common vision problems, some people don’t realize they could see better with glasses or contact lenses. In addition, many common eye diseases such as glaucoma, diabetic eye disease and age-related macular degeneration often have no warning signs. A dilated eye exam is the only way to detect these diseases in their early stages.
During a comprehensive dilated eye exam, your eye care professional places drops in your eyes to dilate, or widen, the pupil to allow more light to enter the eye the same way an open door lets more light into a dark room. This enables your eye care professional to get a good look at the back of the eyes and examine them for any signs of damage or disease. Your eye care professional is the only one who can determine if your eyes are healthy and if you’re seeing your best.

Know your family’s eye health history. Talk to your family members about their eye health history. It’s important to know if anyone has been diagnosed with a disease or condition since many are hereditary. This will help to determine if you are at higher risk for developing an eye disease or condition.

Eat right to protect your sight. You’ve heard carrots are good for your eyes. But eating a diet rich in fruits and vegetables, particularly dark leafy greens such as spinach, kale, or collard greens is important for keeping your eyes healthy, too.ⁱ Research has also shown there are eye health benefits from eating fish high in omega-3 fatty acids, such as salmon, tuna, and halibut.

Maintain a healthy weight. Being overweight or obese increases your risk of developing
diabetes and other systemic conditions, which can lead to vision loss, such as diabetic eye disease or glaucoma. If you are having trouble maintaining a healthy weight, talk to your doctor.

Wear protective eyewear. Wear protective eyewear when playing sports or doing activities around the home. Protective eyewear includes safety glasses and goggles, safety shields, and eye guards specially designed to provide the correct protection for a certain activity. Most protective eyewear lenses are made of polycarbonate, which is 10 times stronger than other plastics. Many eye care providers sell protective eyewear, as do some sporting goods stores.

Quit smoking or never start. Smoking is as bad for your eyes as it is for the rest of your body. Research has linked smoking to an increased risk of developing age-related macular degeneration, cataract, and optic nerve damage, all of which can lead to blindness.^{ii, iii}

Be cool and wear your shades. Sunglasses are a great fashion accessory, but their most important job is to protect your eyes from the sun’s ultraviolet rays. When purchasing sunglasses, look for ones that block out 99 to 100 percent of both UV-A and UV-B radiation.

Give your eyes a rest. If you spend a lot of time at the computer or focusing on any one thing, you sometimes forget to blink and your eyes can get fatigued. Try the 20-20-20 rule: Every 20 minutes, look away about 20 feet in front of you for 20 seconds. This can help reduce eyestrain.

Clean your hands and your contact lenses—properly. To avoid the risk of infection, always wash your hands thoroughly before putting in or taking out your contact lenses. Make sure to disinfect contact lenses as instructed and replace them as appropriate.

Practice workplace eye safety. Employers are required to provide a safe work environment. When protective eyewear is required as a part of your job, make a habit of wearing the appropriate type at all times and encourage your coworkers to do the same.

5 Ways to Take Care of Your Skin

5 Ways to Take Care of Your Skin

Taking care of the skin is very important before using makeup. Makeup itself isn't necessarily good for the skin, it's something to enhance or emphasize something on your beautiful face. It enhances and has the ability to change your skin. Take care of your skin, and your skin will be radiant!

1. Drink lots of water. This is legit because drinking water can hydrate your body. It makes your skin youthful and more elastic. Drinking water also prevents acne because your body is 'pure' inside. Drinking water prevents dry skin.

2. Eat right - meaning veggies and fruits. They are nutritious, so what more can I say? This also helps with purifying your body. Lessen up on the oily foods. Clogged arteries means less blood flow. Less blood flow means bad skin.

3. Change your pillow weekly. Think.. All those times you sleep on your pillow, oil accumulates. Think of it as sleeping on the oils your face accumulated within the two weeks you didn't change it.

• It's natural for your face to have oils. That's why if your body is clear from toxins, you'll less likely break out. I'm not saying to cut out all the good foods out of your life. Just limit them.

4. Wash your face daily. It will clear the oils on your face so pimples don't accumulate. Use a scrub to get rid of blackheads and exfoliate your skin, making your skin feel refreshed and youthful.

• Finding a facial cleanser may take a while depending on your preference. Or you can go all natural by using oatmeal.

5. You MUST moisturize your skin after washing. It's like taking a shower and putting on lotion. Even though it takes more time out of your day, it's worth it in the long run. If you have oily skin, use a little bit of moisturizer so you don't feel oily by mid-day.

• Moisturizer and lotions are different. Not all lotions are moisturizers. Lotions tend to have things like oil, which you don't want on your skin since that's what you basically washed off. Use a SPF moisturizer when going into the sun.

Have More Sex

Have More Sex

Blame stress, hormones, or just plain exhaustion, but women just aren't feeling as frisky these days. So says a National Health and Social Life survey, which reported that 32 percent of women lacked sexual interest for several months last year. Which is a shame, since sex brings remarkable boosts to your health (studies say it can build up your immune system, relieve stress and anxiety, fight aging, and more). So, in preparation for Valentine's Day - or just any day - here are some quick tips to get you in the mood the natural way.

Sex tip #1: Herb it up

Like an all-natural Viagara, certain herbs and medicinal plants support a healthy sex drive in men and women. According to Chris Kilham's book Hot Plants: Nature's Proven Sex Boosters for Men and Women, plants like maca, rhodiola, and the aptly-named horny goat weed are all adaptogens, or natural substances that are believed to increase your resistance to physical and emotional stress, fatigue, depression and illness. So not only can they make you healthier, but they just may make you more ready to amp things up in the bedroom, too.

Sex tip #2: Eat food that gets you frisky

When it comes to aphrodisiacs, we've all heard about oysters, caviar and chocolate – but what about salmon and mackerel? (Or these 30 aphrodisiac foods?) According to experts, foods rich in omega-3 fatty acids increase circulation and stimulate your sex drive. Other omega-3-rich foods to work into that candlelit dinner? Try walnuts, broccoli, cantaloupe, kidney beans, spinach, grape leaves or cauliflower. (Here are a few more delicious ways to feed your lover on Valentine's Day.)

And if you're more of a nibbler, try snacks packed with arginine, an amino acid that also increases circulation and is found in cashews, walnuts, peanuts, granola, oatmeal, green veggies, garlic and chickpeas.

Sex tip #3: Stress less for more sex

No surprise, stress is a huge detriment to your sex drive. According to a recent study, women reported stress to be the number one factor foiling their sexual desire. So to get yourself in the mood, take time to relax – whether it's a bubble bath, a yoga class, or just winding down on the couch with a good book. Exercise helps, too, as the endorphins released when you sweat it out increase testosterone levels – and your sex drive. (Click for more simple steps to reduce stress.)

10 Quick Health Tips

1. Drink water throughout the day. Most of us don’t get the amount of water we should. There are so many health benefits to drinking water. One important fact that many people do not know is, water speeds up your metabolism which helps you burn fat throughout the day. Men should consume 4 litres and women should consume 2 litres of water per day.
2. Steam your Vegetables. Most of the nutrients are lost in the water when you boil vegetables. Steam them whenever you can. If you have a chance to throw them on the BBQ, that is also a better choice.
3. Don’t skip breakfast. Breakfast really is the most important meal of the day. We are doing exactly what the name says, breaking a fast. Our metabolism comes to a screeching halt without having food in our bodies for 6-8 hours, depending on how long you sleep. The first thing you should do when you wake up is get that metabolism burning again. You will also have more energy and feel better about yourself.
4. Make small adjustments to your diet. Don’t make drastic changes all at once. Ease into a healthier lifestyle. Taking small steps is the best way to go about it. A couple examples would be, change white bread to whole wheat and drink low fat milk instead of milk with higher fat content. If you make little adjustments it will be easier in the long run.
5. Exercise. We need to exercise and be active to be healthy. There are many health benefits to exercise. A couple worth noting are Heart Disease and Osteoporosis (loss of bone density). You should get at least 30mins of some sort of activity every day.
6. Prepare. Preparation is everything. It’s easy to grab the closest thing in the cupboard when you’re hungry. Make sure you have food prepared, cooked and ready so when you want something to eat you aren’t snacking on junk food.
7. Eat small balanced meals through the day. I’m sure you’ve heard this one a thousand times. This one is all about metabolism. We can’t lift weights or do cardio all day long, but we can keep our metabolism burning. We do this by eating balanced meals every few hours. Eating well balanced meals will prevent you from snacking on unhealthy foods and keep you burning fat when you aren’t being active.
8. Balanced Meals. This one goes right along with the above tip. A balanced meal consists of protein, fat, fibre and complex carbohydrates. These should all be included in some way in every meal.
9. Quick Fixes. Diets and quick fixes don’t work. Living a healthy lifestyle is a choice. Choose to live a better healthier life by exercising and eating right. Don’t expect huge changes over night. You have been living your life a certain way for years. Give your body some time to adapt to the healthier decisions you make.
10. Set Goals. Set yourself one large goal, and then break down this goal into smaller reachable goals. This is a process. Take small steps towards each goal on your way to the top of your mountain. Focus on the smaller steps and before you know it you’ll be standing at the top looking down.

Train Now, Triumph Later

Enough with the same workout. Your sports training should be targeted. These routines will help you play better and fire up your metabolism, says their designer, Jason Karp, Ph.D., an exercise physiologist and running coach based in San Diego, California.

Squash

Intervals with direction changeUse cones to mark a 20-by-20-foot square on a field. Start at the first cone and sprint to the second, quickly turn and shuffle sideways to the next cone, turn and sprint to the fourth cone, and then shuffle sideways back to the start. Take a 1-minute rest and repeat 9 times.

Why it works This drill improves your acceleration, agility, and ability to react to an opponent’s shot, says Karp. For a more difficult challenge, place the cones (or other small objects) into different patterns that force you to sprint in varying directions and distances.

Basketball

Wind sprintsThis classic “suicide” routine will bring you back to your high-school days and improve your on-court performance. With a basketball in hand, stand at the baseline of a basketball court. Now sprint while dribbling between your starting baseline and the following spots:

1. free-throw line

2. midcourt

3. opposite free-throw line

4. opposite baseline.

Each time you hit a free-throw line, take three shots before continuing on. Rest 2 minutes and repeat 4 more times. No court? Find a large outdoor space, estimate the distances, and do it without a ball.

Why it works This workout improves your speed and forces you to focus, aim, and maintain form when you’re fatigued, says Karp.

Running

Interval trainingImprove your 5-K race time with this endurance-boosting technique, performed on any flat surface or treadmill. First, the math: Find the time it takes you to run 3 miles, divide that by 3, and subtract 30 seconds. That’s your goal interval pace—about 30 seconds a mile faster than your 5-K race pace. So if you run 3 miles in 21 minutes, say, your target interval pace is a 6:30 mile. Run at that pace for 3 minutes, jog for 2 to 3 minutes, and continue this sequence for 3 or 4 more intervals.

Why it works High-intensity intervals increase your heart’s ability to send blood and oxygen to working muscles, says Karp. Do this once or twice a week, and watch that race time plummet.