Sparks Electrical News September 2018

CONTRACTORS’ CORNER

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THREE POTENTIAL HEALTH PROBLEMS ELECTRICIANS FACE Y ou wouldn’t bring dull, broken, tools to a job, would you? Then why are electrical contractors inclined to ignore a sore back? So

Obesity Electricians have demanding schedules and because of intense workloads many are just too tired to exer- cise regularly. This in turn, can cause weight gain. In addition to a less active lifestyle, many electricians eat on the go. A job is across town and starts at 6 am. They head to a breakfast spot, grab a coffee and a bacon and egg roll. They work until 12 pm, then head to another job. On the way, they get a takeaway. They go to the next job. By the time they are done at 6 pm they are so tired they eat whatever is on offer. Does this sound familiar? Electricians tend to eat unhealthy food options, largely because they are running around and need fuel to make it through the day. Between a lacklustre exercise regimen and a poor diet, electricians can become prone to obe- sity, which increases the risk of Type 2 diabetes. How you can prevent it: Prepare a meal in advance and pack it into a lunchbox that is taken to every job. Themore available healthy food is, the more likely you are to eat it. Minimise how much fried food, sweet food, and alcohol you consume. Also, do some stretching before you go to work and try to exercise three times a week after work. Heart disease It has been reported that veteran tradesmen are more likely to suffer from coronary heart disease or stroke. In particular, strokes are most common in male workers over the age of 55 who are current or former smokers. Work stress, noise, second-hand smoke, and particulate matter exposure negatively impact trade workers. How you can prevent it: If you’re a smoker, get medical treatment to help you quit. If you’re not a smoker, try to avoid second-hand smoke. Wear protective gear to minimise exposure to particulate matter. All this is easier said than done, but these tips will help to prevent injury and illness, develop a healthy lifestyle, and sustain your ability to work. T he FLIR ONE® Pro LT is a new thermal imaging attachment for smartphones in the FLIR ONE Pro series. It features many of the professional-level tools and ad- vanced thermal image quality that define the FLIR ONE Pro series, but at a lower cost. Powered by the FLIR Lepton® thermal microcamera core, the FLIR ONE Pro LT builds on the advanced features of the FLIR ONE Pro. Key tools include FLIR’s patented MSX® image enhancement, which combines the thermal and a high-definition visible camera images to produce crisp, detailed images that are easy to interpret. All FLIR One Pro models feature FLIR’s MSX and VividIR™ video signal processing technology to deliver improved thermal image quality and clarity. Additionally, the patent-pending OneFit™ camera connector allows users to adjust the device to attach to their smartphone through many popular protective cases. FLIR is also releasing an updated version of the FLIR ONE App, which includes tools such as multiple spot temperature meters, custom onscreen temperature tracking regions, helpful tips for problem solving and use-cases. Smartwatch compatibility with the Apple Watch and selected Android smartwatches provides the ability to stream live thermal imagery to see around corners and take images or video from your device. LOW-COST THERMAL IMAGING CAMERA FOR SMARTPHONES Adapted from an article on www.iec-cincy.com

that his or her lower back aches. Electricians lift heavy objects, squeeze into tight spaces, and spend huge amounts of time on their feet. Just one of these activities would put pressure on the lumbar region, but electricians do all three, and more, on any given job. The older people get and the more time they have on the job, the greater the risk for back injury and chronic back pain. How you can prevent it: Build core strength by doing lunges, leg lifts, side planks, and hip bridges. See a chiropractor or physiotherapist to help recover from injury, reduce stiffness, improve mobility, and decrease pain.

many electricians take a beating from the job’s long hours and physical challenges and, instead of doing minor things to improve wellness, they ignore the pain and press on. Over time, this die-hard attitude causes their health to suffer, which directly affects their ability to do their jobs. Listed below are the top three serious health issues electrical contractors experience: Lower back pain The most common complaint a tradesman has is

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SPARKS ELECTRICAL NEWS

SEPTEMBER 2018