Lifting Techniques

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Lifting Techniques
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Basic rules of good lifting

• Size up the load before you lift
• Bend your knees
• Center yourself over the load

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Basic rules of good lifting

• Get a good hand hold
• Lift straight up - let your legs do the work
• Dont twist or turn

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Basic rules of good lifting

• Have a clear path
• Set the load down properly
• Always push a cart or dolly

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Basic rules of good lifting

• Get help for long loads
• Split up heavy loads when you can

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If back pain occurs

• You may have a serious problem if
• resting a few days doesnt help
• you have a feeling of numbness in your lower
  limbs

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If back pain occurs

• For on-the-job relief
• get up a stretch if you sit for long periods
• shift your feet if you stand
• avoid leaning to one side if you stand

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Injuries that occur to backs

• Strains and sprains
• Ruptured or slipped disks
• Chronic tension and stress
• Other forms of back pain

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Injuries that occur to backs

• Some injuries require surgery
• Some injuries lead to permanent disability
• Back injuries can limit activities on and off
  the job

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Correct lifting posture

• Bend knees
• Center body over the load
• Lift straight up

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Never twist or turn when lifting

• Adds strain to backs disks, muscles, ligaments,
  tendons
• Plan your lift to avoid awkward positions
• Set load down if youre losing your grip

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Never twist or turn when lifting

• Dont twist and turn or juggle load to regain
  grip
• Keep back as straight as possible

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Carrying the load

• Ensure a clear path
• Ensure a place where load can be set down
• Check for stability of load
• Can you get a good grip?

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Carrying the load

• Is the load too heavy for one person?
• Follow lifting weight restrictions
• Test the weight by carefully pushing load, or
  lifting one corner

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Carrying the load

• Use mechanical equipment if load is too heavy
• Get help if load is too heavy - lift at the same
  time to keep load balanced

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Lowering the load

• Bend the knees
• Slowly lower it do not drop the load
• Avoid sudden movements

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Lowering the load

• Bend knees to let leg muscles support the weight
• Lower the load at the same time if working with
  partner

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Pushing versus pulling a load

• Pushing a load is easier on the back
• Pushing a load is easier to control

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Plan ahead

• Avoid using lower rack for moderately heavy to
  heavy items, or awkward items
• Get help when lifting heavy, awkward, or long
  items

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Plan ahead

• Size up the load
• Can it be split into multiple loads?
• Smaller loads cause less strain on the back

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Plan ahead

• Use material handling equipment if load is too
  heavy
• Forklifts
• Hoists
• Dollies

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Other factors in back injuries

• Age of employee
• Improper postures when sleeping, standing,
  sitting
• Physical condition of employee
• Repetitive motions

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Summary of main points

• Types of injuries
• Proper lifting techniques
• Other factors in back injuries

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