1. Think and plan to avoid lifting and overexertion injuries
PROPER LIFTING
Think and plan to avoid lifting and overexertion injuries
Information provided for UAC members by the Georgia Urban Ag Council and Snellings Walters Insurance Agency

2. Background
Approximately 25 % of workplace injuries result from lifting, pulling or pushing objects
The part of the body most often injured is the back
Information provided for UAC members by the Georgia Urban Ag Council and Snellings Walters Insurance Agency

3. Material handling: think first
Have a handling plan that avoids slippery hazards and includes a destination
Test the load to ensure that it can be safely carried
Know the limits and get help!
Use machinery or equipment
Pushcarts, hand truck, wheelbarrow, forklift or hoist
Use levers, incline planes or rollers
Information provided for UAC members by the Georgia Urban Ag Council and Snellings Walters Insurance Agency

4. Improper lifting
Serious back injuries occur because of improper lifting techniques, including:
Bending from the waist to pick up objects
Lifting boxes above the chest
Twisting the body to carry or lift a heavy box or object
Lifting objects when in poor physical condition
Information provided for UAC members by the Georgia Urban Ag Council and Snellings Walters Insurance Agency

5. Awkward lifting positions
Bending and reaching into bins or containers
Overhead work
Installing or servicing equipment, pulling wire, cleaning ceilings
Floor or ground-level jobs
Installing or servicing equipment, cleaning
Information provided for UAC members by the Georgia Urban Ag Council and Snellings Walters Insurance Agency

6. Awkward lifting positions
Confined or small spaces with limited range of motion
Boilers, hatches, pipes, tanks, vaults, crawl spaces, etc.
Jobs on ladders, work platforms or scaffolding where you may overreach
Pulling loads, instead of pushing them
Repetitive tasks that require twisting
Loading or handling material 90 to 180 degrees from the starting point
Information provided for UAC members by the Georgia Urban Ag Council and Snellings Walters Insurance Agency

7. Avoiding injury
Raise bins and containers off the floor and/or tilt them
When working overhead, stand on a steady and adjustable platform
Keep your back posture in its natural curve to avoid uneven spinal loading
Avoid bending over to work
Squat down using your leg muscles and wear cushioned knee pads when kneeling
Information provided for UAC members by the Georgia Urban Ag Council and Snellings Walters Insurance Agency

8. Avoiding injury In confined spaces, plan your work
Reduce clutter can increase the need to twist or overreach
Arrange for adequate lighting
Don't hold awkward positions long
Pause often to stretch and straighten out.
When leaning forward, support your upper body on your free hand and arm
Greatly relieves pressure on lower back
Information provided for UAC members by the Georgia Urban Ag Council and Snellings Walters Insurance Agency

9. Avoiding injury Position yourself as close as possible
Avoid overreaching and/or using tools with longer handles
Never lift heavy loads that are far from your body's center of gravity
Get help!
Position work below the shoulder and above the knees
Push, don’t pull
Helps maintain the spine's natural curve
Information provided for UAC members by the Georgia Urban Ag Council and Snellings Walters Insurance Agency

10. Important point
Remember that a back support belt may remind you to lift correctly, but it will not protect your spine if you overreach or twist with a load
Information provided for UAC members by the Georgia Urban Ag Council and Snellings Walters Insurance Agency

11. Guidelines for safe lifting
Get a good grip
Grasp the load firmly. Use gloves if they allow for a better grip.
Get a good footing
Center body weight to provide a powerful line of thrust and good balance.
Keep it close
Grasp the load firmly and lift towards the belt buckle. Hold the load close to the body to avoid putting pressure on the back.
Lift smoothly
Raise, carry and lower the load smoothly. Never jerk a load.
Avoid twisting
If turning is required while lifting or carrying a load, turn the feet and body instead of twisting the back.
Push
Push rather than pull the load.
Information provided for UAC members by the Georgia Urban Ag Council and Snellings Walters Insurance Agency

12. Review
Approximately 25 % of work-related injuries result from overexertion, mainly from lifting
Think and plan before lifting
Push, don’t pull, the load
Use mechanical means when possible
Avoid twisting when lifting or setting down a load
Turn the body instead of twisting the back
Information provided for UAC members by the Georgia Urban Ag Council and Snellings Walters Insurance Agency