Treat your body as your most important tool

Is your father rattling your ear about having to think about retirement when you've just started your first real job? And then you think: I still have to work for such a long time, my retirement is still so far away. Annoying that interfering father, but in this case he is right. Leave the thinking to Volandis, so you can retire in good health.

Volandis moves employers and employees in the construction and infrastructure sector to work safely, enjoyably and future-proof. This is good for everyone, because healthy and motivated people achieve the best results. We challenge you to get actively involved in this. To retire healthy, you need to start taking action during your working life. Did you know that two-thirds of workers in the construction and infrastructure sector retire with physical complaints?

Medical examination and consultation

I'm sure we don't have to tell you that working in construction is physically demanding work, but you probably didn't expect this much. You can do a lot yourself to prevent symptoms. If you work in construction & infra, you are not only entitled to a medical examination (PAGO), but also to a consultation. Together with a consultant, you look at how you can continue to work healthily, safely and sustainably. The combination of this advisory interview with the PAGO is called the sustainable employability analysis (DIA). 

You are entitled to a DIA and you will receive an invitation for this every four years starting at age 20. A DIA and PAGO are a unique opportunity to see how you are doing. It looks at the health risks from your profession and the risk of cardiovascular disease. After the PAGO you will receive personal advice and, if necessary, a referral or further guidance. This ensures that you are ahead of possible complaints or can be treated quickly, so that you can continue to enjoy working.

Importance of exercise after work hours

Working in construction and infrastructure requires a lot from your body. Just like top athletes, you strain your body every day while working. So your body is your most important tool. It is often thought that moving around a lot during work is enough and that exercise after work hours is not necessary. It doesn't work that way. Young people who just start working often do not experience many physical discomforts yet, so will be less concerned with physical strain than their older colleagues. They also often do not assess the risks of heavy work as well. Still, prevention is better than cure.

What you can influence well is your own fitness. You can get that fitness under control by exercising regularly after work. If you find that difficult, you can start exercising under supervision. Choose a sport you enjoy or exercise in a group. Then you are more likely to stick with it. Do you find that difficult? Then you can be paired with a lifestyle coach free of charge. For example, contact a building physician. He can help you find the right guidance for your exercise needs.

Put your employer to work

Volandis is also there for your employer, so that you can perform your work in a safer, healthier and more enjoyable way. Volandis has various tools to help with this. Volandis encourages your employer to draw up a risk inventory and evaluation (RI&E), which identifies all business risks. Your employer can then draw up an action plan to prevent company risks. This contributes to a safe working environment. Like you, your employer has an important task to protect your body from too heavy work.

Take action even before you retire

To return to that "meddling father," there is much you can do at the beginning of your working life to work safely and enjoyably so that you can eventually retire healthy. Even if retirement still seems very far away, it is wise to start thinking now about what you can do to make good choices. Your body is your most important tool and you will need your body for a long time. Prevent complaints to your body by using it wisely and living a healthy(er) life.