Risk Management Services
Manual
Material
Handling
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Back Injury Facts
• 70% of cases – Average weight of object lifted
was 40-100# and 30% were over 100#
• The distance traveled at the time of injury was
less than 5 feet
• 50% of the cases, the object was lifted from the
ground level
• 83% of the cases, the back was fully or partially
flexed or bent
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Back Injuries…
• They are exceedingly painful, difficult to heal, and have
an affect on everything you do.
• After suffering one back injury, you are much more likely
to experience another one later.
• The most costly type of injury for the State of Georgia.
• According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, more than
one million workers suffer back injuries each year; and
back injuries account for one of every five workplace
injuries.
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Injuries
Sprain
• Injury or tear of ligaments.
• Ligaments are tough connective tissue that connect
bone to bone.
Strain
• Injury to muscles that have been stretched or used
too much.
• Both strains and sprains irritate the muscles around
them.
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Causes of Back Injuries and Back Pain
 Repeated Lifting of Materials
 Lifting Too Much Weight
 Sudden Movements, Shift of Load
 Whole Body Vibrations
 Lifting & Twisting at the same time
 Bending over for long periods of time
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Our Backs
• The spine’s vertebrae are held together by
ligaments.
• Muscles are attached to the vertebrae by
bands of tissue called tendons (think of them
as rubber bands).
• Between each vertebra is a cushion known as
a disc (think of it as a pad or pillow).
• Spinal Column (think of the vertebrae as
building blocks).
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Our Backs
• Openings in each vertebra line up to form a
long, hollow canal.
• The spinal cord runs through this canal from
the base of the brain.
• Nerves from the spinal cord branch out and
leave the spine through the spaces between
the vertebra.
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Forces Involved in Lifting
Think of your back as a lever. With the
fulcrum in the center of the lever, how many
pounds would it take to lift a 10 pound
object?
5 pounds
10 pounds
15 pounds
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Forces Involved in Lifting:
You’re right!
It takes 10 pounds of pressure to lift a 10
pound object.
Will it take more or less force to lift the same
10 pound object with the fulcrum shifted to
one side?
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Forces Involved in Lifting
You’re right!
With the fulcrum shifted away from the
object, it takes more force to lift the object.
The human back operates on a 10:1 ratio, with
the waist acting as the fulcrum.
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Risky Moves!
Anytime you find yourself doing one of these things, you should
think:
DANGER! My back is at risk!
Heavy lifting...especially repetitive
lifting over a long period of time.
Twisting at the waist while lifting or
holding a heavy load. (This frequently
happens when using a shovel).
Reaching and lifting...over your head,
across a table or out the back of a truck.
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Risky Moves!
Common Lifting Errors
•
•
•
•
•
•
Poor planning
Poor communication
Insufficient strength
Lifting with flexed spine and the legs straight
Using a fast, jerky movement
Bending and twisting at the same time
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Manual Handling
Seek help:
• When a load is too bulky to properly
grasp or lift.
• When you can’t see around or over the
load.
• When you can’t safely handle the load.
• Attach handles to loads to reduce the
chances of getting fingers smashed.
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Safe Lifting
•Break load into parts.
•Get help with heavy or bulky
items.
•Lift with legs, keep back straight,
do not twist.
•Use handling aids such as steps,
trestles, shoulder pads, handles,
and wheels.
•Avoid lifting above shoulder level.
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Contributing Factors
Poor posture…
…is another contributing factor. When your
mother told you to sit and stand up straight,
she was giving you good advice. It is best to
try to maintain the back in its natural "S"
shaped curve. You want to avoid leaning
forward (unsupported) when you sit,
or hunching over while you're standing.
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Contributing Factors
Poor Physical Condition
Your stomach muscles provide a lot of the
support needed by your back. If you have weak,
flabby stomach muscles, your back may not get
all the support it needs, especially when you're
lifting or carrying heavy objects. Good physical
condition, in general, is important for preventing
strains, sprains, and other injuries.
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Contributing Factors
Extra weight…
can be a big problem. Remember the fulcrum/lever principle?
The more you weigh, the more stress it puts on your back every
time you bend over--on a 10:1 ratio. That pot belly is not helping
the health of your back.
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Injury Prevention
Analysis Tools
• The closer to the body the
more strength you have.
• Other tools:
▪ ACGIH Lifting TLV
▪ NIOSH Lifting Equation
• Most models show
approximately 35 pounds
to be the maximum load
for repeated lifting.
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Injury Prevention
Use carts and dollies to move objects, instead of carrying them
yourself. (Remember that it is better on your back to push carts
than it is to pull them).
Use cranes, hoists, lift tables, and other lift-assist devices
whenever you can.
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Injury Prevention
Avoid lifting and bending
whenever you can.
Place objects off the floor; that
way you won’t have to reach
down to pick them up again.
Raise/lower shelves.
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Injury Prevention
 When lifting a box, think out of the box!
• Is there a better way?
 Don’t wait for someone to get injured before
changing a job.
• Just because we have done it this way in the past,
do we have to continue using the same method to
handle a loading and unloading task?
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Injury Prevention
Reducing frequent lifts:
• Use mechanical assistance
• Avoid unnecessary lifting
• Use mobile storage shelves
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Proper Lifting
• You can't always avoid lifting, but there are ways
to reduce the amount of pressure placed on the
back when you do so.
• By bending the knees, you keep your spine in a
better alignment, and you essentially take away
the lever principle forces.
• Instead of using your back like a crane, allow your
legs to do the work.
Think of your body as
more of an elevator than a
crane.
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Proper Lifting
 BEFORE YOU LIFT
• Plan Your Route: Path clear? Trip hazards removed? Dry?
• Assess the Load: Too heavy? Can I use a hand truck or forklift?
Can I slide it?
 WHEN YOU LIFT
• Lift It Right: Position your body close to the object. Keep your
back straight.
• Lower It Right: When you put the load down, bend your knees not
your waist.
 GET HELP IF YOU NEED IT
• Work Together: Don't be a hero. Communicate with your partner!
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Proper Lifting Procedures Lifting Options –
Golfers Lift
 Only appropriate for light objects that can
be lifted with one hand
 Good lift for those with painful knees
• Bend at hip with while raising one leg
behind you
• Leg lift helps maintain a neutral spine
• Place one hand on thigh or fixed object
• Push hand off thigh or object while
lowering leg to complete lift
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Prevent Back Injuries
Body Management
Rest your back
Take frequent, short (micro) breaks (seconds not
minutes).
Stretch. If you've ever been working in an awkward
position for a long time, then stood up and felt stiff and
sore, you know you've been in that position too long,
and your body is now protesting.
Taking a one minute stretch break every now and then
can help you avoid that.
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Conclusion
Point
Take-A-Way
Basic anatomy of the back
Blocks, rubber bands, pillows
Forces involved with lifting
1:10 ratio,
Keep load close to body
Risky moves associated with lifting No twisting with loads
No reaching
Contributing factors to materials
handling injuries
Fitness, age, walking surfaces
Injury prevention
Reduce your lifts, THINK!
Mechanical help
Proper lifting procedures
Elevator vs. Crane
Use proper lift for load
Body Management
Stretch, Exercise, Rest as needed
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