From safetyandhealthmagazine.com
Advice for workers and employers
The decision to tell people at work that you’ve got a medical condition can be a difficult one.
For workers with diabetes, a condition that requires regular monitoring, fear of “being judged” may lead them to say nothing to supervisors or co-workers, says Kathy Utter, director of health and safety for the Midwest Region Laborers’ Health and Safety Fund.
“Some people view diabetes as a poor lifestyle, which is a very common misconception,” Utter said. “That stigma can make people not want to reach out for help.”
Diabetes is a chronic condition in which the body doesn’t produce enough insulin – or any at all. Insulin, the hormone made by the pancreas, helps move glucose from the bloodstream into the cells for energy. Without sufficient insulin, glucose remains in the blood instead of entering the cells.
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention estimates that 38.4 million people in the United States (about 12% of the population) have diabetes.
Managing the condition can lower the risk of developing related health issues, such as damage to the heart, eyes, kidneys or nerves, as well as some types of cancer, according to the National Institutes of Health.
“If you’re not telling people about it, that makes it harder to manage your diabetes,” Utter said.
Signs and symptoms
Diabetes symptoms can vary, so making sure colleagues know about them can help keep everyone safe at work.
“A person has to advocate for themselves when they’re living with diabetes,” Utter said. “They need to let their HR, their managers and their colleagues know. Speak out and educate others, not just your family, your friends, your community, but also your workplace.”
When workers with diabetes have high glucose (blood sugar) levels – known as hyperglycaemia – they may experience frequent urination, drowsiness, thirst, shortness of breath, and nausea and vomiting.
On the other hand, hypoglycaemia (low blood sugar) can result in symptoms such as sudden dizziness, shakiness, mood change, headache, confusion, sweating and pale skin (depending on the person’s skin colour).
To help prevent the onset of symptoms, planning for the workday is a necessity – especially for those who work in unique settings such as a remote location or confined space, or who spend their days on the road. That plan may include taking a cooler with snacks and medications to the jobsite, along with a monitor and test strips. Physical activity required for various tasks can also affect a diabetic’s blood sugar levels.
“Every day you’ve got to be thinking, ‘What am I doing and what do I need to manage my diabetes?’” Utter said.
Tips for employers
Supportive employers and managers can help spread knowledge and awareness of diabetes through education and training.
Formal education can involve first aid training from organizations such as the National Safety Council or a local community group.
Informal training, meanwhile, can include toolbox talks or safety talks.
“It’s critical to have that training,” Utter said. “You learn those signs and symptoms and what to do. It lets employees know about diabetes and does help reduce that stigma.”
CDC says employers who are more aware of diabetes can “maximize” worker health, and it may require only small adjustments.
Reasonable accommodations – many costing little to nothing, according to the American Diabetes Association – include:
- Breaks to check glucose levels, eat a snack, take medication or use the bathroom
- A place to rest until glucose levels return to normal
- The ability to keep diabetes supplies and food nearby
- Being allowed to test glucose levels and inject insulin anywhere at work, including a private place, if requested
- Working a modified or standard schedule instead of a swing shift
- Permission to use a chair or stool for workers with diabetic neuropathy, a nerve disorder
- Larger computer monitors or other assistive devices for workers with diabetic retinopathy, a vision disorder
Utter added that HR teams can assist by ensuring employer health insurance plans include a diabetes management program, along with coverage for glucose monitors, test strips and medications.
A shared responsibility
For anyone facing the idea of disclosing a diabetes diagnosis, “it’s normal to have emotional strain or stress, anxiety,” Utter said.
But having multiple resources can make managing the disease easier.
“It’s going to help you with not only the management of your condition, but make you feel better about your mental health too,” Utter said.
Most importantly, she added, sharing a diabetes diagnosis at work can enhance the employee’s safety and the safety of others.
“Everybody has a part to play to make that individual safe at work and to make other people safe as well.”
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