Safe lifting and carrying techniques are crucial to prevent painful and expensive injuries in the workplace. Unfortunately in practice, most workers do not consistently use safe practices, at great risk to their personal well-being. Although the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) does not have specific requirements on this issue, safe lifting training is implied by the General Duty Clause of the OSH Act, which requires employers to provide a workplace that is “free of recognized hazards”.
Safe Lifting Prevents Major Injuries
Thousands of back injuries occur in the workplace each year, many leading to permanent pain and disability. These injuries are often caused by unsafe lifting and carrying of heavy or awkward objects, and are easily prevented. The most common types of job-related back injuries are:
- Strain—overused or overstretched muscles
- Sprain—torn ligaments from sudden movement
- Herniated disk—loss of cushioning ability from strain or age
Safe Lifting and Carrying Techniques
Safe lifting and carrying techniques are the key to dramatically reducing debilitating back injuries on the job. Employees should…
- Plan before they lift.
- Use a safe lifting position
- Carry carefully.
Although improper lifting, carrying, and moving techniques are the primary cause of back injuries, injuries are much more likely to occur when employees are in poor physical condition and overweight. So employees should be encouraged to maintain a healthy weight and good muscle tone.
Safety.BLR.com has an extensive selection of safety meetings on safe lifting techniques and motivation, as well as practical compliance analysis. The sample safety training meetings are available in all time-saving formats: PowerPoint, safety talks, OSHA refresher, outlines, and checklists.
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The Safety Library has more helpful resources like these:
Lifting and Carrying Objects Training Meeting
Safe Lifting Basics
Special Lifting Situations