| For Immediate Release | Contact: Joyce Faria Brennan |
| December 13, 2007 | 508-961-5270 |
| brennanj@southcoast.org | |
 Get this release in Word format |
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NEW BEDFORD, Mass. — Southcoast Hospitals' Occupational Health works with employees and businesses on programs for prevention, regulatory compliance, safety education, injury management, and rehabilitation. This winter they remind the community to practice safe shoveling to reduce strain on the heart and avoid injury.
Wear proper clothing
"Wear layers to allow for better evaporation of perspiration. Use scarves, gloves, and warm socks to protect your nose, ears, hands and feet. Remember to wear a hat because a large percentage of body heat escapes through your head," said Kathleen Nelson, PT, Occupational Rehab Team Leader at Southcoast Hospitals Group. "Rubber-soled shoes also help to prevent slips and falls."
Warm up
It is also important to pace yourself and "warm up" before heading out, Nelson said. "You should stretch your arms and legs prior to shoveling the same way you would before exercising. Try back bends, hamstring stretches, marching in place and warm up walking to help modify cardiovascular strain. Take frequent rests to give your heart a rest."
Using a shovel of modest size and keeping the load light also helps to reduce stress on the heart. "The weight of the load lifted rather than the number of movements made is the reason for overexertion. Lightening the load reduces the strain on your stomach, back and abdominal muscles and reduces pressure and demand on the heart," she said.
Avoiding big meals, caffeine and nicotine prior to shoveling also reduces stress on the heart. Drink water often to keep the body hydrated.
Ergonomic tips
Push — rather than lift — when you can to reduce the strain on your heart, back and extremities. "Don't twist or throw snow over your shoulder," she said. "This can easily injure your back or shoulders."
About Southcoast Occupational Health
Southcoast Hospitals Group Occupational Health provides a broad spectrum of services, partnering with the business community and their affiliates. Services are provided directly or through a collaborative network of Southcoast Health System resources. The occupational team of experts and professionals strives to maintain the employee health and safety for local community businesses, thereby reducing company costs and improving the quality of life for their workers. For more information or a company evaluation, please call 508-910-3456 or 508-679-7044 or visit www.southcoast.org/occhealth/.
About Southcoast
Southcoast Health System, a not-for-profit charitable organization, is a community based health delivery system with multiple access points, offering an integrated continuum of advanced health services throughout Southeastern Massachusetts and East Bay, Rhode Island. It includes Southcoast Hospitals Group, formed in 1996 from the merger of Charlton Memorial Hospital in Fall River, St. Luke's Hospital in New Bedford and Tobey Hospital in Wareham.
Southcoast has more than 40 ancillary facilities, including the Southcoast Health Van, home health care, hospice and infusion services, numerous outpatient medical services, an assisted living facility and a wellness center. For more information visit www.southcoast.org.
Southcoast is one of three community hospitals approved by the Massachusetts Department of Public Health to perform open heart surgery and primary angioplasty beginning in Spring 2002.
Media Contact
Joyce Faria Brennan
Public Information Officer
Phone: 508-961-5270
Pager: 508-387-9605
Fax: 508-961-5876
brennanj@southcoast.org
