WORLD HEALTH DAY
care, and committing to even a few steps can help a great deal with day- to-day health. Keeping track of blood pressure can be done within some forces, and at your local GP’s. High and low pressure are warning signs for other conditions that need immediate attention – or, more seriously, can lead to possible strokes or heart attacks. Making sure you take time out for
regular exercise is not only good for you physically, but mentally too. Stepping away and taking 30 minutes of exercise every day is known to have a significant positive impact on general health. Switching off and getting sufficient rest can sometimes prove difficult, especially if you are exposed to distressing events during a shift. However exercise, switching off devices an hour before retiring to bed, and something as simple as reading a book can all promote better sleep. Hydrating is important for
overall health – it can improve the cardiovascular system, stop muscle and joint pain, and prevent headaches. Your body is made up of around 60 per cent water. The NHS
recommends a consumption of six to eight glasses a day to keep you hydrated. Digital consumption and being exposed to negative media coverage about police can really affect our emotions, and it can be very harmful on top of the daily exposure to dangerous work-related situations. Always try and limit time on mobile devices and social media, or avoid looking at distressing content that can trigger feelings of anxiety and depression. Sometimes, just talking to someone like a friend or a colleague can help with releasing troubling thoughts and emotions you might be carrying. Saying these out loud can help relieve the stress you might be feeling regarding a particular incident or situation that you have experienced.
Ignoring minor injuries sustained in the line of duty can also lead to further health problems. If you are injured at work, no matter how minor, always ensure the injury is acknowledged and seen to straight away. Doing this can prevent further long-term issues, so always make sure you raise these concerns and seek medical attention.
HELP IS AT HAND
As an officer, you have access to several third-party providers and services that are available to you through your PFEW membership, or group insurance scheme, that can be used to help you, including:
•
www.bluelightcard.co.uk •
www.perkjam.com •
www.polfed.org/support •
www.thepolicetreatmentcentres.org
For further information, contact your local Federation representative to discuss any issues affecting your current health. Finally, always listen to your body, and remember your health is essential.
REMOVING THE STIGMA
OF HEALTH AND SAFETY Often dismissed as boring and all about high- vis jackets and form-filling, health and safety is in fact essential. An annual event aims to educate officers about the benefit of policies that protect everyone
Each year on 28 April, World Day for Safety and Health at Work is observed to promote the prevention of occupational accidents and diseases globally. This awareness day is a campaign which is intended to focus internationally on highlighting the problems and promoting and creating a safety and health culture which can help reduce the number of work-related deaths and injuries. Mark Andrews, PFEW health and safety lead, said: “World Day for Safety and Health at Work is an excellent opportunity to remind us of all of our responsibilities to each other. No one should expect to be caused harm
within the workplace and our PFEW health and safety leads are able to influence significant change in support of the health, safety, and welfare of our members across England and Wales. “Health and safety has often had a bad reputation and is seen by many as boring. There is no getting away from the fact that trying to get people excited about high-vis and fire extinguishers can be challenging; however, it is a lot more than that. Health and safety legislation has real teeth, spreads across everything we do and, when used right, can hold chief constables to account if they fail to comply with the law as an employer.
To find out more about bone marrow and stem cell donation in Wales, please visit:
www.welsh-blood.org.uk/ giving-blood/bone-marrow- donor-registry/
To
find out more about donating nationally, please visit: Home - British Bone Marrow Registry - NHS Blood and Transplant (
bbmr.co.uk)
“I will continue to work with our leads to provide them with the tools they need to push forces to do better for our members: Better uniform, PPE and equipment; better welfare facilities; better training to do their role safely and better Occupational Health Services to proactively support officers to prevent injury and illness, instead of waiting until something happens. “The reminder this day gives us is great, but we will be working 365 days a year to ensure we achieve the best we can to assist in getting all officers home safely at the end of their shifts.”
11 | POLICE | APRIL 2023
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