Preventing Back Injuries:Proper Lifting, Carrying, & Stretching Techniques

Presented by Erin McLean

Back InjuriesNumber one safety problem in workplace1

1 in 5 workers suffer from back injuries

Three fourths of injuries result from improper lifting and carrying2

Accounts for more than 1 million injuries each year

Most injuries occur in men

Risks for Back Injuries2 Inadequate

exercise

Excess weight

Poor posture

Lack of flexibility

Stressful lifestyle Figure 14

LiftingOSHA recommends lifting no more than 50

pounds at a time. If an object weighs more than this, use two or more people to assist in lifting.5

Figure 26

Steps to Proper Lifting

1. Stand close to the object with feet shoulder length apart.

2. Bend the knees and squat down. 3. Firmly grip the object to be lifted. 4. Slowly and carefully lift the object to the

waist using the legs. 5. Keep the object close to the waist.

Steps to Proper Lifting

Step 4

Step 3

Step 1

Step 2

Step 5

Figure 37

Proper Lifting Kneeling instead of squatting can also be used to

properly lift a load.

Figures 4-68

Improper Lifting Do not use your back to lift an object!

Figures 7-99

Proper Carrying TechniqueWhen carrying an object, the load should be

kept in what OSHA calls the “power zone.”10

Figure 1010

Stretching to Prevent InjuryStretching is a mild form of physical activity

that can help reduce the incidence of back injuries in the workplace.

Back pain often results due to a lack of flexibility.

Figure 1111

Back StretchesChild’s Pose

Figures 12-1512

Step 1

Step 3

Step 2

Step 4

Back StretchesSeated Twist

Figures 16 & 1712

Back StretchesStanding Pelvic Tilt

Figures 18 & 1912

Back StretchesLeaning Backwards

Figure 2013

References 1. United States Department of Labor. Occupational safety and health

administration. Back Injuries - Nation's Number One Workplace Safety Problem Web site. http://www.osha.gov/pls/oshaweb/owadisp.show_document?p_table=FACT_SHEETS&p_id=146. Accessed October 18, 2011.

2. Michaud PA. Accident prevention and OSHA compliance. New York, New York: CRC Press, Inc; 1995:292.

3. United States Department of Labor. Occupational safety and health administration. About OSHA Web site. http://www.osha.gov/about.html. Accessed October 18, 2011.

4. Cure-Back-Pain.Org. Cure-back-pain.org. Bad Posture Back Pain Web site. http://www.cure-back-pain.org/bad-posture-back-pain.html. Updated 2011. Accessed October 18, 2011.

5. United States Department of Labor. Occupational safety and health administration. Materials Handling: Heavy Lifting Web site. http://www.osha.gov/SLTC/etools/electricalcontractors/materials/heavy.html#weight. Accessed October 18, 2011.

6. Drillspot. Drillspot. Morton Salt Company Web site. http://www.drillspot.com/products/275800/Morton_Salt_Company_4458_50LB_Xcor_Rock_Salt. Accessed October 18, 2011.

References 7. Lab Safety Supply. EZ facts. Proper Lifting Techniques Web site.

http://www.labsafety.com/refinfo/ezfacts/ezf221.htm. Accessed October 18, 2011. 8. Mayo Clinic. Adult health. Slide Show: Proper Lifting Techniques Web site.

http://www.mayoclinic.com/health/back-pain/LB00004_D. Accessed October 18, 2011.

9. Foto Search. Foto search. Improper Stock Photos and Images Web site. http://www.fotosearch.com/photos-images/improper.html. Accessed October 18, 2011.

10. United States Department of Labor. Occupational safety and health administration. Supplemental Information: Ergonomic Principles Index Web site. http://www.osha.gov/SLTC/etools/electricalcontractors/supplemental/principles.html#power. Accessed October 18, 2011.

11. Abs Exercise Advice. Abs exercise advice. Anatomy of the Back Web site. http://www.abs-exercise-advice.com/anatomy-of-the-back.html. Accessed October 18, 2011.

12. Bodybuilding.com. Bodybuilding.com. Stretching Guides Web site. http://www.bodybuilding.com/fun/stretches.php?MainMuscle=Lower+Back. Accessed October 18, 2011.

13. Berry MD. Melissa D. berry. Stretches Web site. http://www.mdberrylmt.com/stretches.html#LOWER BACK & HIP. Accessed October 18, 2011.