Safety Tip of the Week – Lifting Safely

Lifting Safely

Back injuries account for about one in every five job-related injuries in workplaces. Disabling back injuries are no laughing matter for workers who lose time from work or from personal activities. The truth is that most of the pain and lost time can been prevented if you are aware of how the back functions and how to lift safely to protect your back.

If you decide you are capable of lifting a light load, make sure you lift correctly.

• Move in so that your feet are close to the base of the object to be lifted.

• Face the object squarely. Bend your knees and squat over the item to be lifted. In this position, the back gets added lifting strength and power from the legs and arms.

• Move up close to the item, because the backbone must act as a supporting column and it takes the least strain close in.

• Tilt the item on edge with its long axis straight up so that the center of the weight is as high as possible above the ground.

• Still squatting, the feet should be set with legs pointed right at the load, with the back straightened, the worker may then grasp the load with both arms and slowly stand up with it, pushing up with the leg muscles. If you can’t lift slowly, you can’t lift safely.

  Back safety in action…prevent the need for traction!!