Guidelines for Safe Lifting

Guidelines for Safe Lifting The Spine’s Basic Functions Provides support Protects the spinal cord Provides flexibility for bending and rotating

Guidelines for Safe Lifting Develop A Neutral Spine Neutral Spine: When the …….  Cervical (neck);  Thoracic (middle); and  Lumbar (lower) curves are present and in good alignment

Guidelines for Safe Lifting Develop A Neutral Spine Keep your spinal column aligned in its natural curves Prop one foot up on a stool to reduce stress in your lower back

Guidelines for Safe Lifting Develop A Neutral Spine d/Materials/PDFDocs/employee/back- hea.pdf

Guidelines for Safe Lifting Getting Ready Make sure you are ready for lifting Avoid heavy lifts immediately upon starting work

Guidelines for Safe Lifting Getting Ready Shift your posture often Stretch frequently throughout the day Keep your body flexible (not rigid or fixed) Don’t force your body to conform to its workspace

Guidelines for Safe Lifting Plan for Lifting Will a back belt work for you?

Guidelines for Safe Lifting Plan for Lifting  Checkout your carrying route  Check the weight of the load  Make sure your load is secure so no shifting occurs  Wear appropriate boots or shoes for good traction  If gloves are worn, choose a size that fits properly

Guidelines for Safe Lifting Plan for Lifting Can you eliminate heavy lifting with moving equipment? Could the load overly stress your upper body? Would lifting and carrying be too fatiguing?

Guidelines for Safe Lifting Plan for Lifting Use proper equipment –Hand trucks –Forklifts –Dollies Push, don’t pull!

Guidelines for Safe Lifting Plan for Lifting Above your shoulders? –Use a stool or ladder

Guidelines for Safe Lifting Safe Lifting Techniques Keep the lifts in the power (safe lifting) zone if possible.

Safe Lifting Techniques  Take a wide stance  Tighten your stomach muscles  Use smooth, even motions when lifting

Safe Lifting Techniques  Keep load close to your body  Use your legs to push up and lift the load  Do not use your upper body or back to lift!

 Continue to lift the load close to your body and straighten your legs. Safe Lifting Techniques

Safe Lifting Techniques  Stand up straight before walking with the load  Move your feet instead of twisting your body

Safe Lifting Techniques  Lower the load to the ground by bending your knees, not your back  Keep the load close to your body  Never bend your upper body or back  Keep your hands and feet clear

Guidelines for Safe Lifting Team Lifting Team lifting MUST be coordinated

Guidelines for Safe Lifting Team Lifting  Communicate to your co-worker that you are ready  Get close to the object  Lift slowly together  Use your legs to lift  Do not twist

Guidelines for Safe Lifting Summary  Warm-up muscles before lifting  Check weight of load  Keep lifts in your Power Zone  Keep your eyes slightly up

Guidelines for Safe Lifting Summary Bend your knees, never your back Lift with your knees Hold close to your body

Guidelines for Safe Lifting Summary  Never carry anything you can’t see over or around  Team lift when the load is too much for one person

Guidelines for Safe Lifting Summary Do Not  Lift while reaching or stretching  Lift from an uncomfortable posture  Fight to recover a dropped object (let it go)!

Guidelines for Safe Lifting Summary Do Not  Twist and lift  Lift with one hand (unbalanced)  Lift loads across obstacles

Guidelines For Safe Lifting Treat your back well, it’s the only one you have.