Start the day with your mind and body ready to work 

By Mike Costigan, IBEW Local 11 Safety Officer 

When I worked in the field, it was imperative that our minds were focused on the tasks we were going to be performing that day, and just as important was preparing our bodies to be able to perform those tasks. Let’s take these two items one at a time. 

At the start of each workday, we should be going through a comprehensive stretch and flex program. It takes minimal time and reaps many benefits. Stretching improves flexibility, increases blood flow, reduces muscle tension, and boosts energy levels, just to name a few of the benefits. Increased flexibility can help with reducing muscle pulls and strains. Increased blood flow to the muscles and brain delivers more oxygen and nutrients which help wake up the body and improve alertness. 

It can also reduce tension and stiffness accumulated overnight, alleviating aches and pains, especially in the back and joints. So, as you can see, performing a morning ritual of a stretch and flex program could save the employer from loss time of their employees more than the actual time it takes to perform the stretch and flex. 

For the second item, a detailed JHA [Job Hazard Analysis] should also be performed every workday morning. Getting your mind focused on tasks to be performed will put you in the mindset on how to do it safely and productively. 

When filling out a JHA, we should be talking about every aspect of the task to be performed. Another part of a complete JHA is to look for the worst possible scenarios and how to mitigate those hazards. 

When we prepare our minds and bodies to work in harmony, there’s no task that can’t be accomplished.