Avoiding a Painful Back SAFE LIFTING Avoiding a Painful Back

Back Injuries Back injuries account for nearly 20% of all injuries and illnesses in the workplace. Back injuries cost the nation an estimated 20 to 50 billion dollars per year.

Slips, Trips and Falls On stairways alone, falls result in over two million disabling injuries yearly. There are thousands more minor injuries caused by slips, trips, and falls each year. Most alarming of all is, the fact that industrial falls cause over 1000 deaths each year. Slips, trips and falls account for 15 to 20 percent of all workers' compensation costs.

Leading Back Injury Factors Poor posture Poor physical condition Incorrect lifting Jobs that require high energy

THE SPINE’S BASIC FUNCTIONS Providing support Protecting the spinal cord Providing flexibility to allow bending and rotating

STANDING POSTURE Keep your spinal column aligned in its natural curves Prop one foot up on a stool to reduce stress in your lower back

STRETCH OFTEN - SHIFT POSITIONS 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

LIFT WITH COMMON SENSE! Assess the situation Is the load big, bulky, heavy? Do you need help? Remember- no single technique will work in all circumstances

THE SAFE LIFTING ZONE The safe lifting zone is between the knees and shoulders Below knee level? Bend with your knees and lift with your legs Above your shoulders? Use a stool or ladder

Can you slide it instead of lifting it? PUSH-- DON’T PULL Can you slide it instead of lifting it?

Do you need equipment to help move it? Use proper equipment Hand trucks Forklifts Dollies Use gloves if needed

Must you twist or stretch to get it? Readjust the load or your position before you lift. Get help!

PREPARING TO LIFT OR MOVE Have you stretched your muscles or warmed up before lifting? Are you wearing slip resistant shoes? Have you cleared a pathway before you move the item?

WHEN YOU LIFT Do Plant your feet firmly - get a stable base Bend at your knees - not your waist Tighten your abdominal muscles to support your spine Get a good grip - use both hands

WHEN YOU LIFT Do Keep the load close to your body Use your leg muscles as you lift Keep your back upright, keep it in its natural posture Lift steadily and smoothly without jerking

WHEN YOU LIFT Do Not Lift from the floor Twist and lift Lift with one hand (unbalanced) Lift loads across obstacles

WHEN YOU LIFT Do Not Lift while reaching or stretching Lift from an uncomfortable posture Fight to recover a dropped object (let it go!)

One-handed Lift

Twisting

General Safety Rules Make your safety your first consideration in every situation. Keep your work area clean and free from loose objects, stumbling or slipping hazards (including electrical wires from equipment). Be aware of walking surfaces. Extra care is needed on wet or icy surfaces. Never leave an unsafe condition unmarked or unguarded. Always post “wet floor” signs when needed.

General Safety Rules (continued) Wear adequate shoes that are not open and that give good support and slip resistance. Never use broken or damaged ladders or other equipment. Ladders in front of doors should be marked or posted with warning barricades. Use care when working on stairways. Be cautious when working to keep from tripping over equipment such as buckets, vacuum cleaners, and other tools.

REMEMBER! Your work day is one third of your total day Plan your tasks carefully to avoid a painful back Managing your back is your responsibility