(Updated on September 7, 2023)
Domestic workers often experience various physical pains due to the nature of their work and long-hours taking care of the household and children for their employer.
Common Physical Issues For Domestic Workers
Here are some common physical issues that domestic workers may encounter:
- Back and shoulder pain: Domestic workers often engage in physically demanding tasks such as lifting heavy objects, cleaning, and carrying the child. These activities can strain the back and shoulders, leading to muscle tension, stiffness, and pain.
- Knee and joint pain: Frequent kneeling or squatting while cleaning floors, gardening, or doing laundry can put strain on domestic workers’ knees and joints, leading to pain and discomfort.
- Foot pain: Domestic workers who spend long hours on their feet, particularly on hard surfaces, may experience foot pain. Wearing uncomfortable or ill-fitting shoes can exacerbate the problem and lead to conditions like plantar fasciitis or bunions for domestic workers.
- Hand and wrist pain: Repetitive tasks such as scrubbing, sweeping, or ironing can strain the hands and wrists, potentially causing conditions like carpal tunnel syndrome or tendonitis for domestic workers.
- Headaches: Stress, long working hours, and exposure to loud noises or strong cleaning chemicals can contribute to headaches among domestic workers and disturb their sleep at night.
- Fatigue and body aches: The physically demanding and often long working hours of domestic workers can lead to overall fatigue and body aches. Lack of proper rest and sleep can worsen these symptoms.
It is important to note that the working conditions, work environment, and employer treatment can significantly impact the physical well-being of domestic workers. Employers should prioritize the health and safety of their domestic worker, provide proper training, ergonomic equipment, and regular breaks to minimize the risk of physical pain and discomfort.
Tips For Relieving Physical Pain For Domestic Workers
Here are some useful tips that employers can share with their domestic worker and encourage them to try and relieve physical pain:
- Rest and relaxation: Ensure your domestic worker get sufficient rest and allow their body time to recover from the physical demands of their work. Take breaks when needed and try to get an adequate amount of sleep each night.
- Stretching exercises: Encourage your domestic worker to engage in regular stretching exercises to alleviate muscle tension and improve flexibility. Focus on stretching the areas that are particularly prone to pain, such as the back, shoulders, knees, and wrists and take gentle care of these areas.
- Correct lifting techniques: When lifting heavy objects, advise your domestic worker use proper techniques to avoid straining their back. Provide them the safety guidelines and advise them to bend their knees, keep their back straight, and lift with their legs instead of their back.
- Apply heat or cold therapy: Domestic workers can use a heating pad or a warm towel to apply heat to sore or tense muscles. Heat can help relax the muscles and relieve pain. Alternatively, domestic workers can use cold therapy, such as ice packs or cold compresses, to reduce inflammation and numb the area.
- Pain relief medication: Over-the-counter pain medications like ibuprofen or acetaminophen can provide your helper temporary relief from mild to moderate pain. However, it is important to follow the recommended dosage and consult a health care professional if the pain persists or worsens.
- Massage: Consider getting a massage to help relax the muscles and alleviate pain. Domestic workers can either visit a professional massage therapist or learn self-massage techniques to target specific areas of pain.
- Proper ergonomics: Advise your domestic worker to pay attention to their posture and ergonomics while performing tasks. Ensure that their work environment is set up in a way that minimizes strain on their body. Use supportive chairs, adjust the height of work surfaces, and maintain a proper posture to reduce the risk of pain.
- Footwear and supportive accessories: Wear comfortable and supportive footwear that provides cushioning and proper arch support and protections for domestic workers. Consider using shoe inserts or orthotics if necessary. Additionally, using supportive accessories or protections like knee pads or wrist braces can help alleviate strain on those specific areas.
- Seek medical advice: If the pain persists or worsens despite trying self-care measures, it is important for domestic helpers to seek medical advice from a health care professional. They can assess domestic worker’s condition, provide appropriate treatment, and recommend further interventions if necessary. As per the requirement of Labor Department Hong Kong, it is mandatory for employers to purchase health insurance (known as “Domestic Helper Insurance”) to cover medical fees during the two years employment contract. Employers may contact their corresponding insurance company for the policy details.
See also: Mandatory Helper Insurance
Remember, it’s crucial to show your care towards your domestic worker’s health and well-being. If possible, communicate with them about any physical discomfort you experience, so they can work with you to find solutions and make necessary adjustments to the work environment.
How Can Employers Support Their Domestic Worker?
Employers can play a significant role in supporting domestic workers and helping to alleviate physical pain. Here are some ways employers can help:
- Provide proper training: Ensure that domestic workers receive adequate training on proper lifting techniques, ergonomics, and work safety practices. This can help prevent injuries and minimize physical strain.
- Create a safe work environment: Assess the work environment and make necessary adjustments to reduce physical strain. For example, provide comfortable and ergonomic furniture, adjustable work surfaces, and appropriate tools and equipment.
- Offer regular breaks: Encourage and allow domestic workers to take regular breaks during their work hours. This gives them an opportunity to rest, stretch, and alleviate muscle tension.
- Promote work-life balance: Encourage a healthy work-life balance by setting reasonable working hours and providing adequate time off. This allows domestic workers to rest, recover, and engage in activities that promote their well-being. Try avoiding overtime work. Long hours work will harm both mental and physical health.
See also: 10 Tips To Help Your Helpers Deal With Emotional Distress - Provide necessary equipment and protections: Supply domestic helpers with appropriate tools, equipment, and aids that can reduce physical strain. For instance, providing trolleys or carts for heavy lifting, ergonomic cleaning tools, and supportive footwear can make a significant difference.
- Offer health benefits: Provide your domestic worker access to health care benefits, including medical insurance and regular health check-ups. This enables domestic workers to address any health concerns promptly and receive appropriate treatment.
- Foster open communication: Create an environment where domestic workers feel comfortable expressing their physical discomfort and concerns. Encourage your domestic worker to have open communication so that you can help address her issues promptly and provide appropriate support.
- Support professional development: Encourage domestic workers to attend workshops or training sessions that focus on occupational health and safety, ergonomics, and self-care techniques. This empowers them with knowledge and skills to take care of their physical well-being.
- Show appreciation and recognition: Recognize the hard work and dedication of domestic workers. Express appreciation for their efforts and acknowledge the physical challenges they may face. A positive and supportive work environment can have a significant impact on their overall well-being.
By implementing these measures, employers can create a healthier and more supportive work environment that prioritizes the physical well-being of domestic workers. It is important to remember that domestic workers are individuals who deserve fair treatment, respect, and consideration for their health and safety.
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