Back Safety Copyright 2012 American Safety Management Inc

Why does it matter? • More than 1 million workers suffer back injuries each year, accounting for 1/5 of all workplace injuries or illnesses. • One fourth of all compensation claims $$ involve back injuries, which cost employers billions of dollars. • Add to that the employees’ pain and suffering.

Why does it matter? • They are exceedingly painful, difficult to heal, and have an effect on everything you do. • After suffering one back injury, you are much more likely to experience another one later on. • It is important to learn how to avoid injuring or re -injuring your back.

Why does it matter? • Do yourself a big favor by learning proper lifting techniques and the basics of back safety. • You might be able to save yourself a lot of pain. • And a lifetime of back problems.

Why do they occur? The spine’s vertebrae are held together by ligaments. Muscles are attached to the vertebrae by bands of tissue called tendons. Between each vertebra is a cushion known as a disc.

Why do they occur? Openings in each vertebra line up to form a long, hollow canal. The spinal cord runs through this canal from the base of the brain. Nerves from the spinal cord branch out and leave the spine through the spaces between the vertebra.

Why do they occur? The forces involved: Every time you bend or lean over to pick something up, you put tremendous pressure on your lower back.

Your back works like a lever Think of your back as a lever. With the fulcrum in the center of the lever, how many pounds would it take to lift a 10 pound object?

Your back works like a lever • Answer = 10 pounds. • Formula: Weight X Distance (to Fulcrum) = Weight X Distance (to Fulcrum)

Too much force can damage your back

Your back works like a lever Will it take more or less force to lift the same 10 pound object with the fulcrum shifted to one side?

Your back works like a lever • Assume the 10 pound weight is 10 feet from the fulcrum and the unknown weight is 1 foot from the fulcrum. • Using the formula from a previous slide: 10 pounds X 10 feet = 1 foot X (unknown weight) • Answer: 100 pounds.

Your back works like a lever When you add in the 105 pounds of the average human upper torso, lifting a 10 pound object can put 1, 150 pounds of pressure on the human back.

How much is too much? • • 50 pounds? 75 pounds? 100 pounds? Our body weight ?

Answer: It Depends!!!

Three Factors to Consider • The Lifter • The Load • The Environment

The Lifter Considerations • Our Age • Our Weight • Our Fitness Level

Age Factor • A 20 -year old car does not run as well as a new car. • A 60 -year old person does not physically function as well as a 25 -year old worker. • Hopefully as we get older we get smarter.

Weight Factor • We have an obesity problem in this country. • The extra pounds most of us carry reduce our lifting capacity. • Takes this into consideration.

Our Fitness Level • • Muscle Tone Aerobic Capacity General Health The better our level of fitness, the more we can lift.

The Load Consideration • Is it a concentrated load that we can keep close to our bodies or is it a large, awkward load? • Are we able to get a good grip? Or not?

Environmental Factors • Flat, level, dry surface? Or steep, slippery terrain outside on a windy and wet day? • Any obstructions or interferences? • Good lighting? • How far do we have to travel?

Proper Lifting Procedures 1. Take a balanced stance with your feet about a shoulder width apart. One foot can be behind the object and the other next to it. 2. Squat down to lift the object, but keep your heels off the floor. Get as close to the object as you can.

Proper Lifting Procedures 3. Use your palms (not just your fingers) to get a secure grip on the load. Make sure you’ll be able to maintain a hold on the object without switching your grip later. 4. Lift gradually (without jerking) using your leg, abdominal and buttock muscles and keeping the load as close to you as possible. Keep your chin tucked in so as to keep a relatively straight back and neck line.

Proper Lifting Procedures 5. Once you are standing, change directions by pointing your feet in the direction you want to go and turn your whole body. Avoid twisting at your waist while carrying a load. 6. When you put a load down, use these same guidelines in reverse.

Other Considerations • Reduce the size of the load. • Always know the weight of the load. • Use dollies, carts, wheelbarrows, lifting equipment. • Beware of the unusual or nonroutine lift. • Err on the side of caution.

Other Considerations (Cont. ) • Sleep on a firm mattress—use pillows strategically to reduce stress on your back. • Push carts, lawnmowers, wheelbarrows. Never pull. • Keep repetitive lifting between knees and shoulders. • Practice good posture when sitting, standing, or walking. • Stretch before lifting. • Lose weight, get in shape.