Safe Lifting Safe Lifting and Carrying Practices Objectives

Safe Lifting

Safe Lifting and Carrying Practices

Objectives • Learn the costs of back injuries. • Learn the causes of back injuries. • Learn how to prevent back injuries. – – Material handling aids Proper lifting techniques Physical conditioning Incident reporting

Back Injury Statistics • Back injury affects more than 20 million Americans; leading cause of disability among people ages 19 to 45. • Eighty percent of Americans will have a back injury that requires medical attention. • Back injuries are the second most common cause of lost work time, next to the common cold. • Low back pain is the most common workrelated medical problem in the U. S. • Injured backs are often subject to reinjury. • In addition to missed work, there may be a lifetime of pain.

Average Total Incurred Costs

Could This Happen at Your Site? • Jessica injured her neck, shoulder, arm, and elbow while lifting a projector screen. • She required two fusion surgeries and is still on pain medication. Total Expected Payments: $378, 000

Causes of Back Injuries • Poor lifting techniques • Poor posture • Physical condition

Back Injuries • Symptoms and signs – Back and neck—shooting pain, stiffness – Shoulders—pain, stiffness, loss of mobility – Arms, hands, fingers and legs—shooting pains, numbness, loss of mobility – Loss of muscle function – Inability to do everyday tasks

So What Can You Do? • Implement ergonomic solutions. – Material handling aids – Proper lifting techniques – Physical conditioning • Reduce risk factors. – Excessive forces – Awkward positions – Repetitious activities

Material Handling Aid Examples

Additional Examples

Proper Lifting Techniques • • • Stand close with a shoulder-width stance. Squat by bending your knees and hips. Pull the load close and grip it. Tighten your stomach; lift your head. Rise up with your legs. 1 2 3 4 5

Carrying the Load • Carrying the load – Clear the path of objects. – Make sure you can see. – Hold the load close to your body; lessens strain on your lower back. – Take small steps. – Avoid turning or twisting. – No heavy loads above your waist.

Proper Unloading • Squat down with the load. • Do not bend your back over with the load. • Be careful of fingers.

Physical Conditioning and Flexibility • Minimize problems with your back by exercises that tone the muscles in your back, hips, and thighs. – – – Stretching Sit-ups Leg lifts Squats Walking • Check with your doctor before beginning any exercise program.

Safe Lifting and Carrying Practices • To reduce back injuries: – Contact the custodial staff if you need assistance with safe lifting and carrying practices. • Material handling aids – Two-wheeled collapsible hand cart – Mover’s dolly – Hand truck/dolly – Buddy system

Summary þ Costs of back injuries þ Causes of back injuries þ How to prevent back injuries þ Material handling aids þ Proper lifting techniques þ Physical conditioning þ Incident reporting

Safe Lifting