The Czech Association for Textile Care celebrated Laundry Day by organizing the APaČ Road Show. The second year of the educational event showed the employees of three member laundries and dry cleaners how to take care of their bodies from the outside and the inside.
Laundry Day is celebrated on August 9, when the first electric washing machine was patented in 1910. “At the Association, we see this day as a special day for everyone who is dedicated to providing clean bed linen, towels, clothes or uniforms. And this would not be possible without the workers who perform this demanding work. As a thank you, we have come to them again with exercise and nutrition experts so that they can learn how to properly take care of themselves,” explains the motive of the event, the executive director of the Association, Monika Býmová.
Last year, the event took place in one operation, this year three laundries have applied to participate. “My task is to shake up the workers of laundries and dry cleaners from their everyday work stereotype,” explains strength and conditioning trainer Svatopluk Býma. For example, he gave advice on how to relieve one-sided load, which is a frequent problem in this work. Marcela Barošová, the owner of the Blankyt Plus laundry and dry cleaner in Valašské Meziříčí, knows about this. “We are glad that the Czech Association for Textile Care allowed us to try this event firsthand. Diseases of the locomotor system are very common among laundry workers, and thanks to this project we want to prevent these diagnoses. Employees will realize that it is necessary to prepare for work, perhaps to stretch, as they experienced today.”
The second key topic of the event is nutrition, which nutritionist Nicol Winterová talks about with the laundry teams. “This summer has been very warm, so our big theme has been hydration. This is also linked to a mineral imbalance, when it is no longer enough to replenish not only water, but also electrolytes, because the worker sweats a lot in this environment. Electrolytes can be found in some mineral waters, in bananas or perhaps in avocados.”
During visits to three laundries in three days, more than 30 workers passed under the hands of our experts, among whom was Petra Bambuchová from the laundry and dry cleaner Blankyt Plus. “I’m excited. Talking about diet, exercise, everything was great. I suffer from back pain a lot, so it was perfect for me to learn what equipment I can use for this, at home and at work.” Petra Weissová also takes away positive impressions. “It was great. I wouldn’t go anywhere by myself,” laughs the employee of the Mydlinka laundry in Podivín in the Břeclav region. “I liked it dear, I learned about my visceral fat and other values. I thought about it just recently and it came true for me today.”
The event can also be beneficial for employers, some outputs from the consultations can serve as a basis for improving the working environment. “I have already checked the feedback, the employees are very satisfied. They learned how to eat, how much water to drink and how to help the body during demanding work. I think it is a great benefit for the company and especially for the employees. Now, let’s just hope they comply with it,” concludes Pavel Novotný, owner of OTS Laundry and Dry Cleaning from Karlovy Vary.
Interested in attending next year’s event? Let us know about yourself at info@apac.cz.
WATCH THE VIDEO OF THE EVENT HERE.
Czech Association for Textile Care
