What to do Before Taking a Physically Demanding Job

Physically demanding jobs aren’t like other jobs. You don’t get to sit around at a desk all day looking at spreadsheets or answering phones. Instead you’re on your feet, possibly lifting heavy items or doing some other strenuous task. Physical jobs are demanding, and they come with a certain level of risk. This is why it’s important to assess a few things before you take the job, to ensure that it’s a good fit for you.

Learn About the Workday

The first thing you should do is try to learn about the workday. What will your average day be like? What are the working conditions? See if you can find a description of the job online, either through the employer or through company review sites. Another option is to talk to someone who has had the job and see if they can give you any information as to what the job will entail. You don’t want to show up at the job unprepared and end up surprised by the amount of work you have to do.

Assess Your Own Fitness Level

Next, you need to give yourself an honest assessment of your own fitness level. What kind of shape are you in? Do you get out of breath easily? How much can you lift? How long can you stay on your feet? These are the sorts of questions you need to ask yourself and be honest when you answer them. Compare your answers against the job requirements, and make sure you’re applying for a job that you can actually do. There’s no shame in finding another job that is a little less physically demanding.

Visit a Doctor for a Checkup

Even if you’re honest with yourself about your fitness level, it’s a good idea to get an expert second opinion. Make an appointment with your doctor and have them give you a complete physical. Discuss with them the job you want to do and get their feedback. While you may feel like you can life heavy boxes all day, your body may not actually be up to the task. Talking to a doctor can help keep you save by preventing you from doing a job that you’re not ready for. Or your doctor can recommend a workout plan so that you can get yourself in shape for the job.

Check Your Employer’s Insurance

With a physically demanding job comes a certain level of risk. Before you take the job, you want to make sure that the company you’re going to work for has insurance. All companies are required to have worker’s compensation insurance, but it doesn’t hurt to check before you agree to the job. Talk with the employer about what should happen if you injure yourself and make sure that they have a legitimate plan in place.

Gauge the Level of Risk

Of course, it would be better if you never hurt yourself in the first place. So how likely is this at the new job? What sort of risks are associated with this job and how likely are you to become injured? These are important questions that can help you decide if you really want the job. You should also keep in mind that, according to West Coast Trial Lawyers, “Worker’s compensation payouts generally do not cover pain and suffering. At best, you can hope to recoup your lost income during your injury recovery.” So if this is a job where you might lose your hearing, or develop some other form of long-term injury, you may want to rethink it.

Learn Safe Work Habits

If you’ve decided to accept the job, there are some things you can do to keep yourself safe. For example, if your job is to life heavy materials or boxes all day, you should learn the proper way to lift. Or if you’ll be working around loud machinery, you should bring protection for your ears. Little things like this can go a long way towards protecting you at a physically demanding job and allow you to perform it for a long time to come.

Don’t Rush into a Decision

Physically demanding jobs are not something you should rush into. They can take a toll on your body, and if you aren’t careful, leave you with an injury. That’s why you need to take your time with the decision, think about whether you are really right for this job, and the risks that come with it. Hopefully after this time you’ll decide that not only can you do the job, but you can do