by Michael Marsh, MS, ATC

As Thanksgiving nears, many of us start to reflect on what we’re grateful for. And for most, that starts with family. Family is the reason we push through the long days, the early alarms, and the hard work. It’s the reason we’re out here doing what we do: to provide, protect, and make it home safe and sound to the ones we love. This is certainly true for me with my wife and three little ones at home. I know the pure happiness I feel when I arrive home to see them. It motivates me when I’m able to help the industrial athlete do the same.

What It’s All About

For an industrial athlete, safety isn’t just something we talk about on the job; it’s personal. It’s about knowing that each shift, each task, is a step toward getting back home safely. The daily grind becomes a bit easier to handle when we think of it as working for the people who rely on us most – our kids, our partners, our parents. Those small hands waiting to high-five you at the door, those family meals, the laughter around the table. It’s what it’s all about.

Safety at Work. Memories at Home.

To keep safety front and center, here are a few ways we can keep safety front-of-mind and ensure we’re ready for life at home:

• Lift Properly – Keep that good lifting form on the job, and we’ll be able to pick up our kids for bear hugs, piggyback rides, or that nightly toss into bed – without the twinge in our backs.

• Participate in Pre-Shift Warm-Ups – Those few minutes of stretching might seem small, but they mean fewer muscle strains, so we’re ready for backyard soccer, impromptu dance parties, or lifting little ones onto our shoulders.

• Get Enough Sleep – Clocking solid rest each night means staying sharp on the job and having the energy (and patience) for homework help, bedtime stories, or a family game night without nodding off halfway through.

• Hydrate and Eat Well – Staying hydrated and well-fed keeps us alert and focused, so we’re not running on empty when it’s time to coach our kid’s team, prep dinner, or cheer them on from the sidelines.
  
• Use Proper Equipment and PPE – Following safety protocols protects us from injuries, making sure we’re there for Saturday morning pancake flipping, weekend adventures, or just being the one they run to when they need us most.

Working hard. Working smart.

At Work Right, we understand that family is the driving force for so many of our industrial athletes. It’s the connection that reminds us why we do what we do. And as we wrap up each shift, think of each careful step as a gift to your loved ones, a way to be there for Thanksgiving dinner, for story time, or simply for those quiet moments at home.

You’re not just working hard; you’re working smart, because there’s a lot waiting for you when you walk through that door at the end of the day.

Michael Marsh, MS, ATC || With a Master’s in Athletic Training from Shenandoah University and a Bachelor’s in Exercise Physiology from West Virginia University, Michael brings 9 years of athletic training expertise, including the last year with Work Right. Passionate about outdoor adventures, sports, and family time, he’s dedicated to helping industrial athletes stay strong and injury-free.

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Be sure to check out our other blogs for further injury prevention education and tips for the industrial athlete from Work Right NW!