When your employee’s work involves a substantial amount of lifting and carrying of heavy objects, nothing is more important than a safe lifting technique. Though a majority of the time heavy lifting is done with a machine or the help of others, it only takes one mistake to cause a serious, chronic injury.
Lifting is an everyday activity for most, but if continually practiced incorrectly with large objects, it could have a huge impact. Share these tips to ensure employee health and safety on the job:
- Check for tags on an item indicating that it is especially heavy.
- Consider when a second person or a machine is needed to help carry the load.
- Always plan the route in advance—determine if there are turns or changes in direction while carrying the load.
- Be sure the planned route is free from obstructions and slip, trip or fall hazards before lifting the object(s).
Ground-level Lifting
- Be sure employees get as close as possible to the load, keeping it against the body and lifting with their legs.
- Bend from the knees, not the back.
- Explain the importance of getting a good grip on the object—grasping with the palm is more effective and stable than holding on with the fingers.
Overhead Lifting
- Demonstrate standing on a stable surface and take the object off the shelf or support carefully, maintaining balance.
- Bring the load down to waist level while maintaining control.
- Avoid reaching and lifting at the same time.
Carrying
- Look ahead instead of down to make sure the path is clear.
- Always walk forward instead of backward.
- Have another person open doors, gates or other closed entries.
- They should change direction by moving their feet, not their hips.
- Show them how to keep shoulders, hips and feet aligned—it’s important not to twist at the waist.
- Have them set a load down if it becomes too heavy or unstable.
Lift Smart
- Plan workflows carefully to eliminate unnecessary lifting.
- If eliminating a lift is impossible, then show them how to minimize the distance the load must travel.
- Make it a business practice when placing or arranging materials on shelves, that the lightest items go close to the floor and overhead while the heavier items should be placed in the center.
- Alternate heavy lifting with less demanding tasks, and give employees plenty of time to rest and recover after a strenuous task.
For more training tips on lifting, contact Tiffany Passmore, The Flanders Group Director of Client Services at 800-462-6435 ext.234.
