ML : Back Care - Basic Lifting

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Chapter : Manual Material Lifting

Back Care - Basic Lifting

General Information: 
Back injuries are one of the leading causes of lost-time or restricted duty in the workplace and can lead to years of discomfort and disability.

Back injuries can result from many factors, to include but not limited to: 

• Repetitive motion 
• Weight of load being lifted 
• Duration a load is carried or held 
• Your height, weight, strength and gender 
• The position of your body when lifting or carrying a load 

Before you lift a heavy object, think of the following to help avoid injury:

• Do you need to lift the object manually? 
• How heavy is the item? 
• Where are you moving the object? 
• What route do you have to follow? 

Tips to Help Avoid Back Injuries 

• Stretch and exercise the back before starting each day or before lifting heavy loads 
• Inspect your work area for slip, trip and fall hazards 
• Lift with a partner or find lifting equipment to help move heavy loads 
• Wear back braces if required to lift and carry heavy loads or if your back needs to be supported for long periods 
• Avoid twisting and turning while lifting a load, use your legs to position and move your torso
• Move your work area closer to you to avoid unnecessary twisting and reaching 
• Avoid sudden jerks or pulls on a load that could cause an injury

Back, neck, and shoulder injuries are common in construction.

That’s because we do a lot of lifting – and not always with the best technique or from the best position.
Lifting is hard enough. Lifting in cramped or awkward conditions only makes it more difficult.

What’s the right way to lift?

• Plan your move.
• Size up the load.
• Make sure the pathway is clear.
• Get help if you need it.
• Use a dolly or other materials handling equipment wherever you can.

Get as close to the load as possible. This is very important. Our lifting capacity is reduced the further away we are from the load.

Put yourself in the best possible position for the lift. Try to avoid twisting from the waist, reaching out, and leaning over material or equipment when you lift.

Use a wide-balanced stance with one foot slightly ahead of the other.

Tighten your stomach muscles as you start to lift.

Keep your lower back in its normal curved position and use your legs to lift.

Pick up your feet and pivot to turn. Don’t twist your back.

• Lower the load. 
• Maintain the curve in your lower back.
• You can hurt your back just as easily lowering a load as lifting it.
• You can minimize the stress on your back... if you lift correctly.

For a two-person lift, partners should be about the same height to distribute the load evenly. They
should agree beforehand on

• Type of lift (waist-high, shoulder-high, etc.)
• Who will take charge
• How they will lower the load.

Let’s wind up with a few more tips.

• Avoid lifting above shoulder height. This causes your back to arch and puts a lot of stress on your shoulder and on the small joints in your spine.
• Don’t try to catch falling objects. Your muscles may not have time to coordinate properly to protect your spine.
• Push rather than pull. Pushing lets you maintain the normal curves in your back and puts less stress on the spine.

ML : Manual Handling Techniques & Preventive Measures to Avoid Accidents

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Chapter : Manual Material Lifting

Manual Handling Techniques & Preventive Measures to Avoid Accidents  

Material handling injuries are not limited to any specific locations or jobs.Improper ways of manual lifting may cause Strains, sprains, bruises, cuts, back pain, slip disc or painful hernia as it subjects the muscles of human body to varying degrees of stress and also there is a sharp increase in the pressure exerted on inter-vertebral disc of the spinal column.

They are caused primarily by unsafe work practices, not unsafe conditions. People will lift improperly, carry too heavy loads, incorrect gripping, failure to observe proper foot or hand clearance, and fail to wear proper PPE. Most of such injuries occur to fingers, hands and Back bone.

The following few general points may help prevent such accidents i.e Cut,Pinch while handling smaller materails.

• Inspect materials for slivers, jagged edges and burns, rough or slippery surfaces.
• Wear proper PPE.
• Get a firm grip on the object.
• Keep fingers away from pinch points, especially when setting down materials.
• When handling long objects like pipes, keep hands away from ends.
• Wipe off greasy, wet, slippery or dirty objects before trying to handle them.
• Keep hands free of grease and oil.
• Wear safety shoes to prevent foot injuries in case you drop something.
• Get help if the load is heavier than half of your own weight.
• Use mechanical devices for lifting heavy loads.

The following six steps give proper method of manual lifting. The principles explained in these six steps apply equally to office or factory floor employees and to lifts involving light or heavy, large or small loads:

Step 1:- Position the Feet.

Place your feet body- width apart with one foot along side of the object and other slightly behind.

This position gives you good balance and wide enough base to perform the lift. The rear foot is in position for the up-ward thrust of the lift.

Step 2:- Straight back and bend knees.

Bend your knees and use the sit down position. Keep the back straight ("straight" does not mean vertical) Tighten your stomach muscles to help support your back. A straight back keeps the spine, back muscles and organ of the body in correct alignment.It minimizes the compression of the guts that can cause hernia.

Step 3:- Load close to the body.

Keep the load close to the body. Tuck your arm and elbows into the side of body. If you hold your arm away from the body they lose much of their strength and power. Keeping the arm tucked in helps keep body weight centered. Do not flex the elbows and raise the shoulders as this imposes unnecessary strain on the upper arm and chest muscles.

Steps 4:- Correct Grasp.

Get a "good hold" on the object. This means grasping with the roots of your finger, not just the tips, and ensuring contact between the object and the palm.

The fingers and the hand should be extended around the object you are going to lift. Use the full palm, finger alone have very little power.

Step 5:- Tuck Your Chin In.

Tuck in the chin so your neck and head continue the straight back line and keep your spine straight and firm. Avoid bending your head down, Up, forward, back, side ways or in twisted position.

This chin-in action should be introduced immediately before lifting and maintained through the procedure.

Step 6:- Keep Body Weight Directly Over Feet & Lift With Legs.

Position body so that its weight is centered over the feet and lift by straightening the legs. 

In general: - Be aware of your working circumstances, use your judgment and act safely. Look before you leap, check before you start

ML : Safe Manual Handling Of Materials

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Chapter : Manual Material Lifting

Safe Manual Handling Of Materials

 

As we all now, a day doesn’t go by without lifting something. Whether at home or at work, it’s important to use proper lifting techniques to reduce the risk of injury.

Back injuries are one of the most common injuries found at most of the workplace

At this section we will address proper lifting procedures , techniques, how to reduce the risk of a back injury and some other general safety tips.

Safe procedures:

There are some keys to safe lifting:

1. Keep your head up: Do this by keeping your eyes and chin up. Face forward. Keep eyes parallel to the floor. Doing so helps maintain a neutral curve in your back.
2. Keep the load close: Always keep the load close to your body. The closer the better. Handling the load away from your body can increase the chance for injuries such as strains and sprains to the shoulders, arms and back.|
3. Use a staggered stance: Having one foot in front of the other puts you in a better position of power. Doing so makes for a more stable lift and gives you better balance which helps decrease the chance of back strain when lifting.
4. Don’t twist: When moving a load, use your feet to change direction, avoid twisting. Moving your feet in the direction you plan to travel eliminates unnecessary strain on your back.
5. Plan each lift: Know your route and clear a path if necessary.
6. Communicate your lift with others: When needed, get someone to help.
7. Don’t jerk the load: Make each lift in a smooth motion.

Before beginning to handle and lift materials, get your body loose and stretch. If you practice the four keys to safe lifting, you will reduce the risk of injury and maintain a healthy back.

The proper lifting safety is important. Unsafe lifting of heavy objects can permanently destroy your back. Improper lifting can also cause strain on your knees and ankles. Back injuries can be life changing. If you pull the wrong muscle you could be permanently disabled. These reasons are why lifting safety is such an important topic.


Rules of Lifting Safety

There are several rules you should follow while lifting at work or home. They are designed to reduce stress on your body while lifting.

• Always bend at the knees. Never bend at your back this will cause muscle to bend and become stressed.
• Never try to pick up a heavy object by yourself. Always ask for help if you think it is to heavy to carry alone.
• Don’t rush fast jerky movement could cause a muscle to rip instead move slowly with smooth fluid movements.
• Walk at a slow even pace. Just like lifting hurried jerking movements can sprain muscles.
• Use a ladder to reach boxes that are on high selves. This reduces the risk of strain as wells as reduces your chances of dropping it on yourself which could result in serious injury.
• Keep your feet slightly apart while walking to help maintain proper balance.

Most back injuries are irreversible so any damage caused by failing to use lifting safety techniques will most likely be permanent. If you follow the lifting safety guidelines you will help keep you back in good shape well into old age.

Preparation:

• Ensure that you are wearing proper clothing and PPE
• Steel toe shoes should always be worn when lifting heavy items
• Gloves are also recommended when lifting certain objects
• Stretch before you attempt to lift a heavy object or at beginning of shift
• If possible, store materials at waist height to reduce the strain on your back
• Have materials delivered as close to final destination as possible
• Assess the object you are going to be lifting
• Determine the weight of the object before lifting
• Determine best place to grip the object
• Ensure that your travel path is free of slipping and tripping hazards
• Know your own lifting restrictions and capabilities

Get Help:

• Use carts, dollies, forklifts and hoists to move materials
• When lifting a load more than 22kg (50 lbs), get help from an other worker
• Use carrying tools with handles to carry odd-shaped loads

Proper Lifting Techniques:

• Have your feet spread about shoulders-width apart.
• Your feet should be close to the object.
• Get a firm grip on the object.
• Keep your back straight and elbows close to your body.
• Keeping your back straight and head up, straighten your legs to lift object
• At the same time tighten your stomach muscles to provide back support (Don’t hold your breath while doing this)
• While carrying the object DO NOT twist or bend at the waist, move your feet and legs when turning.
• Keep the load as close to your body as possible
• To set the object down, use the same technique used to lift the object 

Other Useful Safety Tips:

• Take your time! You are more likely to be injured when you are tired or cold
• Lift as smoothly as possible, try not to “jerk” the lift

Group Discussion Topics:

• Has anyone had a back injury? How could this have been prevented?
• Are there common objects which you find yourself lifting frequently? Do you have specific procedures for lifting these objects?
• Do you have access to material handling equipment? If no, can you obtain them?

SAFE MANUAL HANDLING OF MATERIALS

Safety Videos

Research studies have established that about 40% of industrial accidents were related to material handling. In our company the accidents due to poor material handling practice amounts to about 40 to 50% of the accidents. Hence to avoid the recurrence of such incidents, follow the safe guidelines listed below.

• When any heavy object is to be lifted and carried to another point, first inspect the area and route over which the object is to be carried. Be sure there is nothing in the way that might cause slipping or tripping.
• Inspect the object to be lifted to determine how it should be grasped. Make sure it is free of sharp edges, protruding nail points, slivers or other hazards that might cause injury to the hands or body.
• Ensure that the load share on the individual during lifting the material is less than 50kg.
• When group of members handles the material, proper coordination should be established between them.
• When handling sharp objects, like Stainless Steel car body panels, leather gloves should be used to avoid cut injuries.
• When handling materials having burrs like wire ropes, leather gloves should be used.
• Always engage persons having safety shoes to handle heavier materials.
• Incorrect lifting methods require unnecessary effort and often cause strain or other types of injury. When it is necessary to lift any object, which is difficult for one person to handle, ask for help. The easy way to lift is actually the safe way to lift.
• To ensure safe manual material handling, Always follow the material handling practice provided below to ensure safe handling.

1. Get a secure footing.
2. Bend at the knees to grasp the object.
3. Ensure that the center of gravity of the lifting material is at the nearest possible distance from the body.
4. Keep the back straight and as nearly upright as possible.
5.  Get a firm hold.
6. Lift gradually by straightening the legs, keeping the back as nearly straight as possible.

The same procedure should be observed when setting load down.

 

 

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ML : Manual Material Handing Safety

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Chapter : Manual Material Lifting

Manual Material Handing

Work may cause a back injury or it may aggravate a per-existing back problem. In either case, the resultant low back pain can be extremely disabling.

Manual materials handling includes lifting, lowering, pushing, pulling, carrying, holding, dragging and supporting objects. The injuries caused by such work are referred to as musculoskeletal injuries or MSI’s. 

The key important factors of manual handling are mentioned below to reduce the risks associated with the manual handling.

Why is it important?

·       The Muscular-skeletal system of the body is designed for movement.

·        In order to lift and handle an object safely it is essential to have a knowledge of the spinal system and its flexibility.

Symptoms of improper manual handling

• Back or neck pain
• Pain in wrists or shoulder or arms
• Stabbing pains in arms or legs
• Painful joints
• Tingling or numbness in hands or feet
• Weakness or clumsiness
• Burning sensations
• Stiffness
• Swelling

Listed are some good principles on manual material handling. Some of the important principles are:

Activate your core muscles.

• To protect your spine, tighten your abdominal muscles. This will generally activate the rest of your core muscles.

Maintain the natural inward curve of your low back.

• This curve has a tendency to flatten when you bend or sit, increasing the strain on the low back.
• Looking forward (not down) during a lift helps to maintain this curve.

Keep objects that you are lifting or carrying close to your body.

• The farther the object is from your body, the greater the strain will be.
• Slide objects close to you before lifting them.
• When squatting to lift, do not let your knees get between yourself and the load? If the load is not too wide, spread your knees apart so you can bring the load close to your belly.

Work with your upper body as close to upright as possible.

Leaning forwards or sideways puts extra strain on your back. Wherever possible:

• Position items that you handle so that your hands are in the safe lifting zone (between mid-thigh and shoulder height).
• Keep loads that you must handle manually off of the floor (unless their handles are in the safe lifting zone).
• For low-level work, bend your knees, squat or kneel. Consider a longer handled tool.

If you can't work upright, resting a hand or elbow on your knee or another object will take some of the load off of your back. Other objects that you could lean on:

• A nearby table or chair.
• The top of a deep container into which you must reach.
• Any surface within a comfortable reach.

Minimize twisting of your spine.

• Move your feet or swivel your chair instead of twisting at the waist or neck, so that your hips and shoulders are facing in the same direction.

Push, don't pull, whenever possible.

Pulling an object you are facing puts more strain on back muscles than pushing it. Exceptions:

• Some objects don’t move as easily when pushed, especially when terrain is bumpy or rough.
• Pushing may not be safe if the object you are pushing obstructs your vision and you can’t see where you are going.
• If you must pull something, try to use 2 hands to avoid twisting.

Use sudden quick movements with care. 

• If not performed carefully, sudden quick movements will put more strain on your back than moving more slowly (e.g., avoid jumping from loading docks or high vehicles).
• Unexpected movements are more likely to cause injuries than deliberate movements.

• Wear shoes with good traction and support and keep-walking surfaces clear to avoid slips, trips or falls.
• Make sure objects you are moving do not shift during transport.
• Proper storage will minimize injuries related to sudden movements to catch falling objects. 

Use a footrest for prolonged standing.

• A footrest can be used to help avoid static postures.
• Vary standing postures by shifting body weight from both to one or the other leg

Do’s and Don’ts

A load may be hazardous because of: weight, size, shape (making it awkward to handle), slippery or damaged surfaces, absent or inappropriate handles and imbalance. So, utmost care should be taken and exercise the recommended practice of manual material handling and use appropriate PPE’s to avoid the injuries.

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