Poster of the Month, June 2016: Preventing foot and ankle injuries

DON'T DO THE TWIST!


To prevent foot and ankle injuries,
wear sensible shoes and watch your
step – especially on uneven floors

If you find flaws in our floors, please report them


June's Poster of the Month is about preventing foot and ankle injuries in the workplace.

Coincidentally, a couple of months after I researched and wrote the words for this poster, this story came out in the news. It concerned a receptionist who was sent home from her job for refusing to wear high heels.

Her refusal was not without good reason. She claimed that her work involved nine hours on her feet, escorting clients to meeting rooms, and that she would be unable to do this wearing heels.

After posting the details of her experience on Facebook, the receptionist realised that other women had been put in the same position. The women in question were not all in desk jobs. Many were required to stand for long periods; some had to walk long distances, including up and down stairs; some had to carry heavy items; and some even had to run across shiny, slippery floors carrying emergency equipment.

It was after hearing some of these stories that the receptionist decided to start a petition to change the law, so companies can no longer legally insist on high heels as part of their dress code.

What's wrong with sensible, comfortable footwear?

High heels are well known for causing severe discomfort, ankle injuries and posture problems. They can also make you unsteady on your feet, more susceptible to slips and trips and more likely to fall over.

For jobs that involve long periods of standing, walking and carrying, we always recommend flat, comfortable shoes with good treads. Where there are additional threats from falling items or vehicle movements, proper safety shoes with steel toe caps are vital.
 
Having worked in health and safety for more than ten years, I'm appalled that women are allowed to wear heels in some jobs, let alone forced to.

Kodiak has many more workplace posters on the subjects of PPE; safety shoes; and slips, trips and falls.

To find out more, please give us a call on 01530 456 000.

Poster of the Month, February 2016: Managing anxiety

WHEN
PANIC
ATTACKS

Nine ways to calm your anxiety

February's Poster of the Month looks at ways to calm anxiety.

Anxiety is described by the NHS as 'a feeling of unease, such as worry or fear, that can be mild or severe.'

Everyone has feelings of anxiety at some point  — for example when taking an exam or in a job interview — but for some, this anxiety is hard to control, can flair up over small things and affects their daily life.

According to the Mental Health Foundation, in 2013 there were 8.2 million reported cases of anxiety in the UK.

Anxiety can be difficult to control at work.

In a pressured environment — where a person is subject to deadlines, demands and the expectations of others — the sense of anxiety can be heightened.

The poster shows nine different ways to calm anxiety, as recommended by people who actually suffer from the condition. In a survey of anxiety sufferers, these activities were listed as instrumental in restoring calm.

Kodiak's workplace posters cover all kinds of health issues, including mental health and wellbeing.

To find out more, please give us a call on 01530 456 000.

Poster of the Month, November 2015: Prepare for winter driving with some emergency travel essentials

BAD WEATHER BASICS

With winter just around the corner, it's a good time to put together some emergency travel essentials

• Warm, waterproof clothing and boots
• Map, in case of unexpected diversion
• De-icer, scraper and snow shovel
• Ready-to-eat food and a warm drink
• Spare glasses or contact lenses
• First-aid kit and essential medication
• Emergency contact numbers
• Mobile phone with charger
• Torch with spare batteries
• Cash and credit cards     

November's Poster of the Month is a reminder to drivers about preparing for the winter driving conditions.

When you consider all the things that could happen, you realise how having some travel essentials in your vehicle could really help in an emergency.

Your vehicle could break down.

According to the AA, the number of vehicle breakdowns nearly doubles during particularly cold spells. 

Increased use of lights, wipers and heating put extra strain on the battery, which explains why battery problems are a major cause of breakdowns. 

No battery means no heat and no lights, so pack warm clothing and a torch. A charged mobile with emergency numbers and a map could help you contact your breakdown service and let them know where you are.

With an increase in breakdowns and accidents, you might be waiting for a while. So make sure you have food and drink with you, just in case.

You could be involved in an accident.

Road accidents increase during winter weather.

In icy conditions stopping distances are 10x the distance needed to stop on a dry road and information from Kia states that 48% of winter road accidents are a result of skidding.

Again, emergency phone contacts are important in case you have an accident. Check the emergency settings on your phone and make sure your preferences are set correctly.

List your emergency contact under the name 'ICE' on your mobile so the emergency services can find it easily, if they need to.

You could be diverted from your route.

Accidents and extreme weather can cause road closures and diversions. If you are affected, make sure you have access to a map or sat-nav to help you find your destination.

You could be stranded.

Every winter we see news footage of cars abandoned on the side of the road. What if that happened to you?

It's a good idea to carry money/credit cards, spare contact lenses and essential medication in case you can't get home.

Your vehicle could be stuck in snow.

If you get stuck, a shovel, some de-icer and an ice scraper could help to get you moving again.

Kodiak Industrial produces posters, like the one featured, to maintain safety and wellbeing.

Our database features many posters on safe driving, during winter and throughout the year.

If you would like to find out more, or purchase posters for your workplace, please visit our website or call us on 01530 456 000.