Safety Manager Tip of the Month: Proper Lifting Techniques

According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), more than 1 million workers experience back injuries each year. One-fourth of all workers compensation indemnity claims are a result of back injuries. Low back pain is one of the most common reasons that people miss work, second only to the common cold. In America, we spend more than $100 billion annually in medical bills, disability and lost productivity at work from back injuries and illnesses. More importantly, this problem causes unnecessary discomfort and pain to workers, which can have a devastating effect on their lifestyle and ability to work. A BLS survey shows that 75 percent of back injuries occurred while performing lifting tasks, which underscores the importance of reducing back injuries caused by lifting.

Safety First: Work Smart

Always warm up your back and legs before performing any lifting task! We are all athletes in life, so we need to warm up our body to improve preformance and reduce risk of injury. It is important to prepare your body for work with the following stretches.

• Low Back Rotation Stretch: Stand with hands on hips. Stabilizing the hips and legs, gently roll your upper body forward, right, backward and left to stretch your lower back. You should perform five slow circles while gradually expanding the circle each time. Repeat in the opposite direction.
• Hamstring and Achilles Stretch: Position your body with one leg forward and the toes of that foot raised up. Keep your back straight while you bend forward at the waist. You should feel a stretch in the back of your thigh and knee. Then shift your weight onto your forwad leg and bend your knee, keeping your back leg straight and your heel on the floor. Hold each stretch for 20 seconds. Perform each stretch two times for each leg.

Lifting Dos and Don’ts

Do…

• Know or test the object weight
• Use ergonomic lift assists when possible
• Plan the lift and clear your path
• Get help for heavy or awkward loads
• Keep the object in the power zone
• Use a wide stance for balance
• Use your legs to lift
• Pivot your feet to avoid twisting

Don’t…

• Hold your breath
• Bend or twist at the waist
• Use a partial grip
• Obstruct your vision when carrying
• Jerk or lift quickly
• Pinch your fingers or toes
• Pull a load if you can push it
• Forget to wear proper PPE