If you’ve ever strained your back while lifting something, you’ll know the importance of lifting safely. Whether or not lifting is a regular part of your job, it is important to know the basic techniques for safe lifting.
Here are a few general tips to keep you and others safe.
PLAN YOUR LIFT
- Size up the load – its weight, shape and position. Is the load too large, too heavy or too awkward to more alone?
- Decide on the route you will take, and check for any problems or obstacles such as a slippery or cluttered floor. Also, check out the place where you will set down the load, so you can anticipate any difficulties.
- Position yourself correctly
- Get as close as you can to the load.
- Place your feet about shoulder width apart, straddling the load if possible.
- Tuck in your pelvis.
- Bend your knees.
- Do not bend at your waist or extend your upper body. These movements put a strain on your back.
LIFT CORRECTLY
- Let your legs do the work. Use your thigh muscles to lift, rather than your weaker back muscles.
- Don’t twist your body. If you have to turn, move your feet instead of your trunk.
- Make sure you can see over your load and move carefully toward your destination.
SET DOWN
- If it must go to the back of a deep shelf, for instance, put the load down on the edge and push it into place.
- Take care to avoid crushing your hands when you release the load.
Get Help
- If you can’t handle the load alone, don’t be a hero. Get some human or mechanical help.
TEAM LIFTING
- Decide on one person to be in charge of the lift. This person will tell everyone when to lift, move and set it down. Ideally, this person should be the last in line on the load.
- If you choose a mechanical helper like a hand truck, check it over to make sure it is in good repair and the wheels are working correctly.
TRICKY LIFTS
- It’s difficult to lift a load higher than your shoulders, so safely use a step stool, stepladder, platform, or equipment to place loads higher.
- Another difficult lift is from deep within a bin. You can modify the basic lift procedure by getting as close as you can to the load, squatting slightly and placing your bent knees against the bin. Use a similar procedure to safely lift heavy items from a car trunk.
- For light, little objects in the bottom of a bin, you can use the golfer’s lift. Swing one leg straight out behind you, flex the other knee, use one hand to balance yourself on the edge of the bin and the other hand to pick up the load.
- A back injury is painful and can cause a big disruption in your life at work and off the job. Lifting safely is one very important way to keep your back healthy.
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