1. Director of Environmental Health & Safety
Back Safety
and
Safe Lifting
Carl Powell
Director of Environmental Health & Safety

2. Course Content Introduction Anatomy Mechanics Lifting & carrying
Risk assessment
Preventing back injuries

3. INTRODUCTION
This training session provides information on preventing back injuries and techniques for safe lifting
By age 50 approximately 85% of Americans have
had one or more back injury
More than 1 million injuries occur
each year
25% of workers compensation
claims involve back
injuries – costing billions
of dollars annually

4. Introduction Back injuries are the largest cause of accidents at work:
Back injuries are exceedingly painful and difficult to heal
After suffering one back injury,
you are much more likely to
experience another injury
It is important to learn how to
avoid injuring or re-injuring
your back

5. Introduction Back injuries are caused by:
Improper lifting – often cumulative damage over a period a time
Overuse of certain muscles and joints
Poor general health, lack of physical fitness, loss of suppleness
Stress and fatigue

6. ANATOMY Back - Complex System: Spine Muscles Ligaments and tendons
Nerves
Three main functions:
To protect the spinal cord
To allow movement
To support the upper body

7. Anatomy Spine Strong and flexible Gentle ‘S’ bend Discs
The lower part of the back holds most of the body’s weight
Every time you bend over, you put stress on your spine – even leaning forward at your desk
Over time the discs become damaged
Discs

8. Anatomy Vertebrae Spinal Cord Disc
33 bones – the top 24 are separated by discs
The bottom 9 fuse together by adulthood
Each vertebrae has 4 joints which enables movement
Vertebrae are larger towards the bottom of the spine
Vertebrae

9. Anatomy Discs Act as shock absorbers Nucleus
Firmly attached to vertebrae
Poor blood supply
- slows healing
Annulus stretches and relaxes during movement
Nucleus
Disc
Annulus

10. Anatomy
Discs
Repeated stresses can cause minute tears and bulging of the disk
Presses on adjacent nerves and ligaments – pins & needles, pain, numbness
Commonly called a slipped disc or herniated disc

11. Anatomy Muscles Muscles are bundles of fibers which enable movement
Messages from the brain cause them to contract and relax
A damaged muscle is called a strain
Muscles affecting the spine

12. Anatomy Ligaments and tendons
Ligaments connect two or more bones together
Tendons attach muscle to bone
Strong fibrous tissues
Small degree of elasticity
Stooped back posture can result in permanent elongation – weakness and pain
If stretched too far and torn – called a sprain

13. Anatomy
Nerves
Millions of fibers transmitting electrical impulses back and forth from the brain
Nerves branch out from the spinal cord and pass between vertebrae
A herniated disc can irritate the nerve root and cause leg pain
– this is called
sciatica and is often
more painful than
lower back pain

14. MECHANICS Think of you back as a lever
The balance point is through the center of the body when standing
Center of Gravity
Equal force

15. Mechanics
A load held in front disturbs the balance - tension is generated in the back muscles to compensate
The human back operates on a 10:1 ratio; with the waist acting as the fulcrum
Center of Gravity
(fulcrum)

16. Mechanics
Holding the load closer to your body will reduce the pressure on your back
100 lbs.
10 lbs.

17. Mechanics
Using the proper lifting technique (bend at the knees and keep the back straight) to reduce the pressure on your back
100 lbs.
10 lbs. X ü

18. Mechanics
High or repetitive levels of tension in the back can cause damage
To reduce the tension:
hold the load closer to the body
and bend your knees

19. LIFTING & CARRYING Steps: Before lifting occurs Plan the route
Assess the load
Correct positioning of feet
Straight back
Correct grip
Lift smoothly
Carrying the load

20. Before lifting Warm up exercises
Prior to lifting, you should warm up your muscles just like a professional athlete

21. Lifting Plan the Route Where is the load going ?
Are there obstructions in the way ?
Is there somewhere to set it down ?

22. Lifting Correct Positioning of Feet Comfortably apart
One foot positioned in direction of movement
Other foot where it can give maximum thrust to the body
To maintain good balance feet should never be too close together on the ground

23. Lifting Straight Back Lower the body by relaxing the knees
Keep your back straight (but not vertical)
Keep load close to body
Keep chin in and head back

24. Lifting If lifting from ground make maximum use of legs
Keep back straight, but inclined forward
Tighten the stomach muscles as the lift begins
As lift proceeds and the legs are straightened, the back returns to vertical position
Positioning of feet and bending of knees are the key factors in maintaining a straight back

25. Lifting
Correct Grip
Take a firm grip by using the palms of the hands and roots of fingers
Taking weight on finger tips will create pressure at the end of fingers and could strain muscles and tendons in the arms
A full palm grip will reduce muscle stress to the arms and decrease the possibility of the load slipping

26. Lifting Lifting Smoothly
Thrust from back foot and straightening of knees will move body forwards and upwards – briefly off balance
Immediately countered by bringing the back foot forward as if walking
Lift now completed - forward movement results in smooth transition from lifting to carrying

27. Lifting Carrying the Load Setting the Load Down
Make sure you can see where you are going
Avoid twisting the body – move your feet instead
If you need to change your grip – set the load down – not whilst walking
Setting the Load Down
Use the correct stance for lifting and set the load down gently

28. Lifting One Person Lift Determine the weight Look for sharp edges
See if the weight is evenly
distributed
Keep heaviest side to body
Decide how to hold the load
If it is too heavy use a trolley or get assistance

29. Lifting Two Person Lift Decide who will be caller Assess the weight
Correct positioning of feet
Straight back
Correct grip
Lift together

30. Lifting - Summary Plan the route, the lift and the set down point
Position your feet - bent knees, straight back
Firm grip, lift smoothly
Move the feet – do not twist body
Keep the load close to the body
Put down smoothly – then adjust for final position

31. RISK ASSESSMENT
A risk assessment is an examination of the factors that may cause harm
Task
Individual’s capabilities
Load
Environment
Other factors

32. Risk Assessment The Task - Avoid: Holding loads away from body
Twisting
Stooping
Reaching upwards
Large vertical movements
Long travel distances
Strenuous pushing and pulling
Unpredictable movement of load
Repetitive handling
Insufficient rest or recovery time
Work rate imposed by the process

33. Risk Assessment Individual’s capability
Certain conditions may limit an individuals capability
- Illness
- Pregnancy
- Obesity
Some tasks require unusual capabilities, special information or training

34. Risk Assessment The Load
Heavy – can the load be broken down into smaller loads
Bulky or unwieldy – are two people required
Difficult to grasp/hold – would a trolley assist the move
Harmful i.e. sharp/hot – is personal protective equipment required

35. Risk Assessment The Working Environment
Constraints on posture - e.g. lack of space
Poor floors
Variations in levels
Hot / cold / rain / humid conditions
Strong air movement
Poor lighting conditions

36. Risk Assessment Other Factors
Is movement hindered by clothing or personal protective clothing
High stress
Rushing – pressure of work
Showing off
Short cuts

37. PREVENTING BACK INJURIES
Avoid lifting and bending whenever you can.
Place objects up off the floor
That way you won’t have to reach down to pick them up again
Raise / lower shelves
Short frequent breaks are better than infrequent long breaks – for example 10 seconds rest every 10 minutes is more helpful than a 60 second rest every 60 minutes

38. Preventing back injuries
Don’t
overdo it
Don’t be afraid to ask for help – know your physical limitations and abilities

39. Preventing back injuries
Use assistive devices if possible
Hand truck
Utility cart
Gas cylinder trolley
Pallet truck
Scissor lift table

40. Preventing back injuries
Assistive devices allow both hands to control the truck/cart
Tie down straps may be required
Pushing a device is better for your back than pulling
Stay close to the load and keep your back straight
Avoid leaning over

41. Preventing back injuries
Sleeping position - The neutral position keeps the back in its natural “S” bend
Try placing a pillow between your knees when sleeping on your side
Or place a pillow under your knees when sleeping on your back - You may also want to try using a towel roll to support your lower back

42. FINALLY Now take the quiz
This session provides practical information on preventing back injuries and how to safely lift objects
You will only protect yourself if you practice the techniques described
These techniques affect work and home activities
Now take the quiz