1. Page Up to Reverse  Employee Health  Page Down to Advance  Employee Health  3

2. Page Up to Reverse  Employee Health  Page Down to Advance BACK INJURY PREVENTION A guide for healthcare workers SLUH SLU

3. Page Up to Reverse  Employee Health  Page Down to Advance BACK INJURY PREVENTION SLUH SLU

4. Page Up to Reverse  Employee Health  Page Down to Advance Most back problems are NOT caused by a single injury, but instead a combination of factors over a period of months or years. Congenital Anatomical Abnormalities Poor physical fitness level Decreased flexibility Poor posture Using poor body mechanics during activity

5. Page Up to Reverse  Employee Health  Page Down to Advance PREVENTING a BACK INJURY is easier than REPAIRING A BACK INJURY It is EASY to learn how to best prevent back injuries STEPS #1 LEARN the FACTS about your BACK #2 LEARN the FACTS about BACK INJURY #3 LEARN how to get your BACK in GOOD SHAPE #4 LEARN how to LIFT with good BODY MECHANICS

6. Page Up to Reverse  Employee Health  Page Down to Advance This is PART 3 of a four part series BACK FACTS LIFE STYLE FACTORS MATERIALS HANDLING PATIENT TRANSFERS & MOVING

7. Page Up to Reverse  Employee Health  Page Down to Advance MATERIALS HANDLING SLUH SLU This can include: lifting boxes delivering supplies unloading carts storing materials This section is intended for persons that are required to move materials as part of their job.

8. Page Up to Reverse  Employee Health  Page Down to Advance MATERIALS HANDLING SLUH SLU The following information is meant to serve as a starting point for ongoing learning in successfully avoiding injury while performing these tasks.

9. Page Up to Reverse  Employee Health  Page Down to Advance MATERIALS HANDLING SLUH SLU PRINCIPLES of PROPER MATERIAL HANDLING PLAN the lift BEFORE you lift any load manually LIFT IT MENTALLY “USE YOUR HEAD FIRST”

10. Page Up to Reverse  Employee Health  Page Down to Advance MATERIALS HANDLING PRINCIPLES of PROPER MATERIAL HANDLING Keep the feet shoulder width apart

11. Page Up to Reverse  Employee Health  Page Down to Advance MATERIALS HANDLING PRINCIPLES of PROPER MATERIAL HANDLING Pivot the body when turning: do NOT twist the torso

12. Page Up to Reverse  Employee Health  Page Down to Advance MATERIALS HANDLING PRINCIPLES of PROPER MATERIAL HANDLING Hold the load close to the body

13. Page Up to Reverse  Employee Health  Page Down to Advance MATERIALS HANDLING PRINCIPLES of PROPER MATERIAL HANDLING Lift by bending the knees Keep the back straight Keep the head up

14. Page Up to Reverse  Employee Health  Page Down to Advance MATERIALS HANDLING PRINCIPLES of PROPER MATERIAL HANDLING Lift by bending the knees Keep the back straight Keep the head up

15. Page Up to Reverse  Employee Health  Page Down to Advance MATERIALS HANDLING PRINCIPLES of PROPER MATERIAL HANDLING Make large loads into multiple smaller loads that are easier to move

16. Page Up to Reverse  Employee Health  Page Down to Advance MATERIALS HANDLING PRINCIPLES of PROPER MATERIAL HANDLING Use equipment such as carts or lift trucks to help move the load

17. Page Up to Reverse  Employee Health  Page Down to Advance MATERIALS HANDLING PRINCIPLES of PROPER MATERIAL HANDLING Minimize lifting above the shoulders

18. Page Up to Reverse  Employee Health  Page Down to Advance MATERIALS HANDLING PRINCIPLES of PROPER MATERIAL HANDLING Minimize stooping to place heavy loads

19. Page Up to Reverse  Employee Health  Page Down to Advance MATERIALS HANDLING PRINCIPLES of PROPER MATERIAL HANDLING Minimize stooping to perform tasks

20. Page Up to Reverse  Employee Health  Page Down to Advance MATERIALS HANDLING PRINCIPLES of PROPER MATERIAL HANDLING If the load is too large for one person, seek the help of a co-worker

21. Page Up to Reverse  Employee Health  Page Down to Advance  Employee Health 