Safe Lifting/Back Safety
Training
Presented by
Rita Gagnon
Occupational Health Outreach Coordinator Benefis
Health Systems
406-731-8328
Risk Factors Involved with Manual
Handling Tasks:
•
•
•
•
Bending at Trunk
Excessive Exertion or force
Twisting the trunk
Reaching out
Functions of The Spine
• Providing support
• Protection of cord (information super hi-way)
• Providing Flexibility (flexion, extension side and rotation)
Anatomy of spine
• Vertebral bodies,
(cervical, thoracic,
lumbar)
• Discs (provide cushion &
flexion)
• Core Muscles
• Erector Spinae (extend
the back attached behind
the spine) enable us to
stand and lift objects
• Abdominals (flex spine
located in front of body)
for bending forward and
arching lower back.
When weak increases the
curve of the lumbar spine
• Obliques attached to
sides of spine for rotation
Causes of Back Pain
• Poor Posture
• Poor Physical
Condition
• Tension & Stress
• Impact Trauma
• Repetitive Trauma
• Incorrect lifting
Forces to Spine with Incorrect lift
Planning Ahead
Ask yourself these Questions First!!
• How are do I have to carry this load?
• Is the path clear of clutter, cords, slippery areas, overhangs, stairs,
curbs, uneven surfaces?
• Will I encounter closed doors? Ask someone to hold it open or
place a wedge under to keep it open.
• Once it is lifted will it block my view?
• Can the load be broken down into smaller parts?
• Would gloves improve my grip or protect my hands?
• Will this load need to be moved again? If so, place it on a platform,
table or hoist device.
• Do I have enough room to turn my feet instead of twisting my hips
or shoulders?
• Can I lift this load safely or is it a two-person lift? Test the weight by
lifting one of the corners. If it is too heavy or awkward STOP! Ask
for help or use mechanical lift or hand truck.
Reducing the Risks
Keep it close and Keep the
curves!
• The closer a load is kept to your
power zone the easier it is to keep
the natural curves of your back.
When the spine is in the natural
curves the vertebra, discs,
ligaments and muscles are in their
strongest and most supportive
position
Staggered Stance
• Lifting with the feet close together and in
line with each other makes it more difficult
for you to use your legs to help with the lift.
• Staggering your stance encourages the
legs to become involved and reduces the
demands on your back. Simply stepping
toward a load with a staggered stance
moves the center of gravity closer to the lad
and minimizes the demands of the lift.
• If you feel your weight shifting forward onto
your forward leg you have successfully
transferred this weight demand from your
back to your stronger legs.
• Grip ** front knee, high hand, far corner, **
back knee, low hand, near corner
Feet First
• Feet First
• Moving your feet first gets you
closer to the load and
reduces the amount you have
to reach. The farther you
reach the more you have to
lift your upper body as well as
the load. Moving your feet
first also helps reduce the risk
of twisting while you lift.
Team Lifting
• If the weight shape or size of an object makes
the job too much for one person, ask for
help.
• Ideally, workers should be of approximately the
same size for team lifting
• One individual needs to be responsible for
control of the action to ensure proper
coordination. If one worker lifts too soon, shifts
the load or lowers it improperly, either they or
the person working with them may be injured.
• Walk out of step
1
2
Two Persons and
Long Load
3
5
4
Use Mechanical lifts whenever
possible.
• The best way to avoid a back injury is to
reduce the number of lifts you have to
perform. Hand trucks, push carts and
forklifts are great engineering controls that
reduce your exposure to lifting hazards.
• What devices are available in your
workplace to reduce your exposure to
lifting hazards?
Minimize Stressors of Carrying
• Keep the weight of the load acceptable
• Keep load as close to body as possible
• Use both hands in a power grip (rather than a pinch grip)
to hold the load
• Width (side-to-side) The width of the load should be
about as wide as the person’s torso.
• Height of the load The height of the load should allow the
handler a clear view of the travel path.
• Distance over which the load is carried Carrying
distances should be minimized.
• Frequency with which the task takes place Attempt to
decrease frequency and bundle tasks.
• The easiest way of carrying a load like a crate or
a box is holding it by the front corners,
• The arms straight, at hip height, so that it does
not interfere with the movements of lower limbs.
• Loads to be carried to the side of the body
(suitcases, grocery bags, brief cases, etc.)
should be equipped with suitable top mounted
handles, “should be as slim as possible and
should clear the ground when the carriers’ arm
hangs by their side.”