You are an athlete! Didn’t know that? Well, you should be thinking like an athlete when you lift things. That’s because back injuries are the largest class of workplace injuries — but most back injuries are preventable. If you take the athlete’s approach, you will avoid pain and potentially disabling injuries.
The first thing you should do is warm up. Do a little stretching to get those muscles ready. This will help prevent strains.
Next, consider the object you want to lift:
- Is the object easy to grip? A box with cut out handles is much easier to lift than a box with no handles. You need to be able to have a tight grip on an object before you lift it.
- Is the object easily accessible? Trying to grasp an object located above your shoulders or at the other side of a maze of objects is just asking for trouble. Take the time to move the obstacles or get a ladder.
Do you know how to lift objects? Here are some simple guidelines:
- Use slow and smooth movements.
- Face the object you are lifting.
- Keep the object close to your body.
- Lift with your legs, but only when you can straddle the load. Bend your knees (not your back) and lift, keeping your back straight.
- Ideally, keep the load between your shoulder and waist.
You should also pace yourself. Take small breaks between lifts. Don’t attempt to lift something too heavy for you; use a lifting aid or get a buddy to help. Make sure you have enough room to move. Avoid slippery, uneven surfaces while carrying.
Don’t rely on back belts to protect you. Their best benefit is to remind you to use the guidelines above; there is no proof that they’ll protect your back.
For further information, contact Environmental Health and Radiation Safety at 215-707-2520. If you have other health and safety questions, concerns and/or suggestions, contact the Health and Safety Committee at healthandsafety@temple.edu.