back safety. back activities reaching, bending over, sitting skiing, hiking, bike riding playing...
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Back Safety
Back Activities
Reaching, bending over, sitting Skiing, hiking, bike riding Playing with your children and grandchildren Working and feeling productive
Back Safety Goals
Back injury and injury prevention Lifting techniques Quiz
Back Statistics
80% of Americans will have a back injury that requires medical attention
Back injuries are the second most common cause of lost work time, next to the common cold
Back injuries occur more often at home than they do at work
Injured backs are often subject to reinjury In addition to missed work, there may be
a lifetime of pain
Back Parts
Vertebrae Spinal cord Disks Muscles, ligaments, tendons
Potential Back Injury
Strain or sprain Bulging disk Herniated disk
Causes of Injury
Years of abuse Poor posture Unconditioned back Excess weight and potbellies Bad lifting techniques
Back Posture
Maintain the back’s natural curves Standing Sitting Sleeping Changing posture and stretching Adaptive posture
Conditioning Your Back
Physical conditioning Flexibility Excess weight
and potbellies
Exercises
Walking Stretching Sit-ups Leg lifts Squats
Lifting Equipment
Powered equipment such as forklifts, powered carts, and electric pallet jacks
Handtrucks, carts, pallet jacks Cranes and hoists Conveyors
Back Safety Goals
Back injury and injury prevention Lifting techniques Quiz
Size up the load– Weight– Shape and size
Clear the path– Objects– Tight doorways or corners
Unloading zone
Lifting Plan
Proper Lift
Stand close with a shoulder-width stance Squat by bending your knees and hips Pull the load close and grip it Tighten your stomach, lift your head Rise up with your legs
Carrying the Load
Make sure you can see Take small, stable steps Do not twist your back
Proper Unloading
Squat down with the load Do not bend your back over with the load Be careful of fingers
Overhead Loads
Shoulders level with the load Slide the load close Use your legs
Long Loads
Pick up one end Place the balance point on your shoulder Watch the ends
Lifting Bags
Squat down next to the bag Grab it at opposite corners Lift it up to your thigh or waist Stand up Put the load on your shoulder
Team Lifting
Designate a person to lead the lift
Lift at the same time Keep the load level Unload slowly
together
Think About Your Back
Don’t be lazy Think long term Don’t try to lift
too much Consider your
back in all things
Back Safety Goals
Back injury and injury prevention Lifting techniques Quiz
Summary
Maintain back posture and conditioning Use available lifting equipment Have a lifting plan Use your legs Always think about your back
Quiz
1. More back injuries occur at work than at home. True or False
2. Poor __________ can cause back pain by disrupting the back’s natural curve.
3. Name 2 things to check before attempting to lift a load: _________________, __________________.
4. Lifting with your legs is necessary only when attempting to lift heavy loads. True or False
5. Describe 2 of the more common back injuries: __________________, __________________.
Quiz (cont.)
6. A “weekend warrior” might incur a back injury because his back is not _______________________.
7. When conducting a team lift, the first thing you should do is _______________________________.
8. Back injuries are usually the result of a single traumatic event.
True or False9. Name some of the material handling equipment that
your company has available: __________________.10. Is your back more suited for pushing or pulling
a load? ___________________________________
Quiz Answers
1. False. More back injuries occur at home. That’s why we also need to consider our backs when away from work.
2. Poor posture disrupts the back’s natural curves.3. Size up or evaluate the load, clear the pathway.4. False. Lifting incorrectly even with light loads
constitutes back abuse.5. Strained muscle, sprained or torn ligament,
bulging disk, herniated or ruptured disk.
Quiz Answers (cont.)
6. The “weekend warrior’s” back is usually not properly conditioned for strenuous work.
7. Designating a lift leader help to coordinate the lift to keep all participants safe.
8. False. Back injuries are usually the result of years of abuse until the weakened back snaps.
9. Material handling equipment might include: cart, forklift, handtruck, pallet jack, conveyor, hoist.
10. The back has more strength pushing than it does when pulling.