Proper Lifting Techniques
Safety is our number one priority, and we want to ensure we give you all the proper tools and resources to succeed. Proper Lifting Techniques is something that can never be taught or reminded about enough. It is incredibly important to follow proper lifting techniques no matter what industry you work in.
According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics:
- ¼ of all workers compensations claims are results of back injuries
- 75% of back injuries occur while lifting
- 1 million workers experience back injuries every year
- Back pain is the number one reason people miss work in an industrial setting next to a common cold
Steps to ensure safe Lifting Techniques:
- Evaluate the load
- Make sure it is not too large, heavy, or awkward to carry by yourself. It is better to wait and ask for help than to risk injury.
- Evaluate the Path
- You want to evaluate the path to make sure there is nothing in your path in order to get the object safely to its next location. You may also want to evaluate if there is water spilled, or stairs in the way.
- Make sure you are balanced
- Ensure you have a steady stance and are balanced and prepared to lift the object. You want to make sure you have feet shoulder width apart with one foot in line with the object and one behind the object.
- Now bend your knees and keep your back straight
- It is important to not bend at the hips or twist your back when lifting. You need to ensure you are bending at the knees and squatting straight down with your hips.
- Ensure you have a good grip on the object
- Use your palm, and fingers have a good grip and use your forearms to help support the object as well.
- Now you can use your legs and stomach muscles to lift the object off the ground and up to your height.
- Once the object is lifted it is important to ensure you keep it close to your body
- Remember when changing direction, never twist your back, always pick up your feet.
- To lower the object, bend your knees, don’t bend over at the waist. This will put strain on your back.
- When putting object down, watch for hands and feet to ensure its clear.
Do’s and Don’ts of Lifting:
Do’s | Don’ts |
o Know the object weight o Pivot your feet, don’t twist o Use your legs to lift o Use a wide stance to balance o Plan the lift and clear path o Get help for big heavy loads | o Don’t hold your breath o Don’t use a partial grip (1-2 fingers) o Don’t jerk or lift quickly o Don’t obstruct your vision when carrying objects |