Don’t  engage  in  recreational  activities  unless you are physically able to do so without harm. Wear  necessary  and  prescribed  protective equipment and clothing. Avoid overexertion and excessive fatigue. Such conditions can lead to injuries. Don’t engage in an activity if you have an old injury  that  may  be  aggravated  by  additional activity. Warm-up  properly  before  engaging  in  any vigorous sport. Avoid horseplay. This is a common cause of accidental injuries. Obtain medical attention immediately if you are injured, feel faint, become dizzy, or ill. Alcohol and sports do not mix. Drinking while participating in sports increases your chances of injuries. Don’t try to play a new game or practice new athletic skills unless you are under the direction of a qualified instructor. Don’t take unnecessary chances. Always  keep  a  safe  distance  from  sporting equipment being thrown, such as the discus and bats. Remember, when engaged in a recreational activity, you are responsible for protecting yourself from injury. Therefore,  you  must  observe  all  rules  and  safety measures. MOTOR VEHICLES You may be assigned duties as a driver. As a driver, you are responsible for the safe operation of the vehicle while it is assigned to you and for the safety of the passengers  and  cargo.    You  (as  a  passenger  or operator) are required to wear seat belts. You are to make daily inspections of the vehicle assigned to you. If the vehicle is found to be unsafe, you aren’t permitted or required  to  operate  that  vehicle  until  it  has  been repaired.  You  must  obey  all  local  traffic  laws  and ordinances while operating a motor vehicle on and off duty. Except under extreme emergencies when no relief is available, you should only drive for short periods of time. If you must drive for a long period of time or if you become fatigued (tired) or drowsy when driving, pull off the road and stop for a few minutes to rest. Never operate a vehicle if you have been drinking alcoholic beverages, if you are taking medication that will make you drowsy, or if you are sick or physically unfit to drive. LIFTING Lifting is so much a part of our everyday jobs that we don’t think about it, and most of the time we do it wrong. Results of improper lifting may be a painful hernia, a strained or pulled muscle, or a disk lesion. For the sake of your back, you should observe the following rules and precautions for lifting: Don’t lift an object if it is too heavy or too clumsy for good balance. Get help, or use mechanical aids such as a dolly or hand truck. Keep the load close to the center of your body. The farther the load is from the small of your back, the greater the strain. That is the reason a heavy compact load is easier to lift than a bulky, lighter load—you just cannot get the bulky object close to you. The best way to handle a compact load is to squat down close to the load with one foot alongside it and the other foot behind it. With the feet comfortably spread, you will have better stability with the rear foot in the position for the upward thrust of the lift. Pull  the  load  toward  you;  then  lift  it gradually. Avoid quick and jerky motions. Push up on your legs (fig. 19-4) while keeping your back straight. A straight back keeps the spine, back muscles, and other organs of the body in correct alignment. Tucking in your chin helps to align the spine. No matter what size the load, get as close to it as you can; then get a good grip by using the full palm and extending your fingers and hands around the object. Remember that your fingers 19-20 Student Notes: