32 HEALTH AND SAFETY
stress-free life but learning to deal with it can help you fight fatigue . Consider relaxation techniques like meditation , tai chi , yoga , massage , aromatherapy and progressive muscle relaxation .
Tips for Plumbers Rest For some people , rest helps relieve fatigue and is an important part of fatigue management . Resting can prevent you getting to a point of complete exhaustion and coming to a sudden halt , mid task . A few small breaks are best for some people ; or you might feel better after just one longer rest at a particular time . For example :
○ Try taking a few short rests or ‘ power naps ’ through the day
○ Try just one longer rest , at the same time each day
○ Take a break between coming home from work and getting ready for an evening out
Prioritise tasks Prioritising activities can mean you save energy for the things you really want or need to do . It can help you plan your activities and your time to rest and recuperate . You might find it useful to make a list of all the activities you do in a typical day or week . Can they be done in a more energy-efficient way , or at different times of the day , to make them easier ? Can you get help with any of these tasks ?
Whatever your priorities are , try to be realistic about how much you can get done - don ' t try to take on too much .
This could be a tough one , as a plumber has no idea what their day might bring , but try to get all the heavy lifting of plumbing materials done early in the day when you feel rested and satisfied . During the afternoon period , focus more on tasks that require less strenuous actions . Perhaps offer the routine geyser installation in the morning , only .
Posture You could save energy on a lot of everyday tasks if you have a good , relaxed posture . Keeping a good posture takes practice , but with time it can become easier , as your body re-aligns itself . Make sure you have a good posture when lifting sheeting or equipment ; when using tools and handheld power tools such as drills , avoid bending over or awkward positions .
A physiotherapist can help you identify any problems you might have with posture and suggest suitable exercises to help .
Exercise It almost goes against common sense to exert yourself if you experience fatigue , but exercise helps keep your body working at its best and can improve strength and fitness and mood . It ’ s possible to do too much exercise , so balance the exercise with rest , and keep cool while you exercise , especially if heat makes your fatigue worse .
Ensure that you first and foremost confirm all health-related conditions or needs with your medical practitioner or doctor before taking any advice offered in this article . Ensure that you maintain a healthy lifestyle within the boundaries of what your doctor prescribes .
As part of the plumbing industry , we should be committed to providing information and instruction to employees regarding fatigue management and endeavour to assist plumbers to get the needed health care or advice necessary . Plumbers should ensure that no medication other than what is given by a doctor is taken while performing plumbing related tasks . PA
1 . Reference : The Impact of Worker Fatigue on Workplace Injuries and Employment-Related Accidents
2 . References : Weycer Law Firm
Image by The Yuri Arcurs Collection on Freepik www . plumbingafrica . co . za @ plumbingonline @ plumbingonline @ PlumbingAfricaOnline January 2025 Volume 30 I Number 11