Sprains and strains can happen at any time, in the workplace and outside of work, and they can have a big impact.

Whether it's a rolled ankle that puts an end to your footy season, a shoulder strain that prevents you from hugging your kids, or a sprained hand that means you have to take time off work, strains and sprains can impact multiple areas of your life!
So here's some tips to make sure you return home safely every day from work:

​

How to protect your muscles during winter

Muscle strains and sprains represent more than half of the injuries we see in our workforce, often due to cold muscles. As the weather gets colder, here's what you can do to protect your muscles and reduce the risk of injury:

1. Don’t start cold

Blast the heat in the car on the way to work and always stretch to warm up before you start, especially if it's an early one!

2. Wear layers

Bring extra layers (like a jacket and beanie) that you can easily put on to stay warm as you move between different areas.

3. Stretch after breaks

Even with layers on, your body can cool down quickly, so take a few minutes to stretch before heading back to work.

​

Common workplace injuries

• Head injuries - Bending down and bumping your head when getting up.

• Back or shoulder strains - Packing and unpacking shelves.

• Strained hands, wrists and forearms - Strapping and wrapping large objects.

• Hand injuries - Lifting objects beyond your capacity and by yourself.

• Feet or leg injuries - Pulling or pushing trolleys.

• Rolled ankles - Same level slips and trips or stepping on uneven ground.

• Muscle strain - Lifting, carrying and putting down heavy or awkward objects. Twisting, bending and stretching movements. Pulling trolleys or loaded pallet jacks.

​

Top tips to avoid injury

​

​Got questions? Let's chat.

If you have any questions or concerns relating to Health & Safety in your work environment, contact your AWF Consultant directly or call us on 0800 88 88 60.