Back safetyBack safety

Proper lifting techniquesProper lifting techniques

Prevent back injuriesPrevent back injuries

Think defensively Think defensively about your backabout your back

Use common senseUse common sense Follow good lifting Follow good lifting

techniquestechniques

Size up the loadSize up the load

Test the loads weight by lifting one Test the loads weight by lifting one of the cornersof the corners

Make sure you can handle the Make sure you can handle the weightweight

Long objects may need to be Long objects may need to be carried by two peoplecarried by two people

If the load is too heavyIf the load is too heavy

Ask a fellow Ask a fellow worker for helpworker for help

Use a dolly or Use a dolly or other mechanical other mechanical lifting devicelifting device

Split the load Split the load into smaller onesinto smaller ones

Lifting techniquesLifting techniques

Lift with your legs Lift with your legs not your backnot your back

Place your feet Place your feet close to the objectclose to the object

Center your self Center your self over the loadover the load

Lifting techniquesLifting techniques

Bend your kneesBend your knees Get a good hand Get a good hand

holdhold Lift straight up Lift straight up

smoothlysmoothly

Don’t twist or turnDon’t twist or turn

Keep the load close to your bodyKeep the load close to your body Keep it steady, sudden twisting or Keep it steady, sudden twisting or

turning could result in turning could result in injury injury

Turn your body by Turn your body by changing foot positions, changing foot positions, not twistingnot twisting

Know your pathKnow your path

Is your path clear?Is your path clear? Are there any holes?Are there any holes? Are there any spilled Are there any spilled

liquids?liquids? Check your footing.Check your footing.

Set it down safelySet it down safely

Setting the load Setting the load down is just as down is just as critical to back critical to back safety as lifting itsafety as lifting it

Lower the load Lower the load slowly by bending slowly by bending your kneesyour knees

Set it down safelySet it down safely

Let your legs do Let your legs do most of the workmost of the work

Don’t let go of Don’t let go of the load until it the load until it is secure on the is secure on the floorfloor

Push, don’t pullPush, don’t pull

If the object is on If the object is on rollers, pushrollers, push

Pushing puts less Pushing puts less strain on your strain on your backback

Pushing is safer Pushing is safer should the load tip should the load tip overover

Plan aheadPlan ahead

Place objects that Place objects that will need to be will need to be moved later on moved later on racks rather than racks rather than the groundthe ground

Know where you Know where you need to go before need to go before you startyou start

Additional factors Additional factors

Straighten up! Poor posture can Straighten up! Poor posture can put stress on back muscles.put stress on back muscles.

Get in shape! Poor physical Get in shape! Poor physical condition condition leads to weak back muscles.leads to weak back muscles.

Relax! Stress and tension Relax! Stress and tension contribute to back pain.contribute to back pain.