Lifting in the Workplace: Keep It Injury Free
Back injuries are a major health problem in the workplace. Not only do these injuries cause severe, even crippling pain, they cost a company substantial dollars in terms of lost productivity and workers’ compensation claims. The average total incurred cost per workers’ comp claim for a lower back injury is more than $10,000. Although OSHA has no specified requirements regarding lifting and carrying, these types of accidents are so common, that lifting training is highly recommended.
Safe Lifting in the Workplace
Most back injuries in the workplace can be prevented by taking two steps:
- Training employees to lift and carry correctly, and
- Providing them with mechanical aides to help with particularly heavy or awkward loads.
When lifting an object that does not require mechanical assistance, workers should always stand close to the object, keep a wide stance, and make sure their footing is solid. Then they should tighten their stomach muscles and assume a safe lifting position, bending at the hips and knees. Next, they should pull the load close to the body and grasp the object firmly. They should lift with their legs, not their backs or shoulders.
For lifting oversized or heavy loads in the workplace, employees should use a two-person lift, with one person designated to direct the team. The two lifters should lift at the same time, keeping the load level, move at the same time while carrying the load, and unload at the same time.
Lifting Aids in the Workplace
If an object or load is too heavy or awkward for two workers to lift, or if an employee is alone, there are several types of equipment that can help promote safe lifting. These include dollies, carts, and hand trucks.
It is important that employees choose the right equipment, such as curved beds for drums and barrels. Otherwise, curved objects could roll off a flat surface and cause a serious injury. If a worker is moving several objects, the heavier objects should always go on bottom and lighter objects on top. If necessary, the load should be strapped down or otherwise secured to prevent objects from falling off. The worker should push, not pull, the load.
Employees should use powered equipment for lifting in the workplace only if properly trained and authorized to do so. Workers should know and observe maximum load capacities and keep their body parts, hair, and clothes away from moving parts.
When lifting in the workplace with ropes, chains, or hoists, workers must always match the strength of the equipment to the load, inspect equipment before using to make sure it is not damaged, and wear the appropriate personal protective equipment, such as hard hats and safety shoes, to protect against dropped loads.