Features Health & Safety
Health & Safety: The ways to avoid manual material handling injuries doing physical work

There is only an hour left to work and there is still a truckload of material needing to be loaded. Determined to meet the deadline, you pick up the pace, lean over to lift a large item without bending your knees, and suddenly you feel a surge of pain up your back. You’ve just joined the thousands of workers in Canada suffering back injuries each year.

Lifting is the most common cause of low back pain at work in Canada. The number and the severity of injuries can be greatly reduced by preparing and planning for the lift and practicing safe lifting and handling techniques.

Contributing factors

There are many factors that can contribute to back injuries like the weight of the load lifted, the range of the lift, the location of the load in relation to the body, the size and shape of the load, the distance and duration the load is carried, and the number and frequency of lifts performed. Excessive bending and twisting can also increase the risk of back injury.

How often manual material handling tasks are performed and for how long are also important factors to consider. Frequently repeated and long-lasting tasks are the most tiring and, therefore, more likely to cause back injury. 

Sometimes, specific job tasks require wearing personal protective equipment. These items may hinder movement while lifting and cause injuries. Be sure that a job hazard analysis is performed, and any restrictions have been addressed.

The following tips can help you and your crew reduce the risk of back injuries when performing manual material handling tasks.

Lifting safely takes planning and preparatio

Remind workers to dress appropriately. They should wear lightweight clothing that is flexible but that won’t easily tear, avoiding exposed buttons, zippers or loose flaps that could get caught by part of the load. Protect your hands and feet by wearing protective gloves appropriate for the materials being handled and safety boots with toe caps and slip-resistant soles. 

Plan the lift. Make sure that the path to where you are taking the load is clear of obstacles and debris – such as grease, oil, water, and litter – that can cause you to slip and fall. Remove or clean anything that is in the way.

Warm up muscles with gentle stretches to prepare them for the physical stress of the lift and other handling tasks. This is an especially important step at the beginning of the shift, or for workers who only lift occasionally and may not be accustomed to handling loads.

Test the load for shifting contents and weight by pulling or sliding it toward you. Determine if the lift can be made without overexerting. A large-sized load will put more strain on the body than a small-sized load of the same weight. Remind workers not to lift if they are not sure if they can handle the load safely, to get help with heavy or awkward loads, or when possible, use equipment such as hoists, lift trucks, dollies, or wheelbarrows.

Tips for the lift

Specific handling and lifting techniques are needed for different kinds of loads or materials being handled (for example, compact loads small bags, large sacks, drums and barrels, cylinders or sheet materials like drywall).

There is no single correct way to lift because lifting can always be done in several ways. On-site, task-specific training is essential. However, there are some general lifting rules to follow.

• Stand close to the load facing the direction that you’ll be moving.
• Place your feet wide apart to keep your balance.
• Get and keep a good grip on the load using both your hands – not just your fingertips. Grasp opposite corners and balance your load evenly between both arms.
• As you lift, keep your back as straight as is comfortable, tightening your abdominal (stomach) muscles.
• Bend your legs so they do the lifting.
• Lift the load smoothly, without jerking, keeping it as close to your body as possible.
• Keep the load in the middle, between shoulder and knee height.
• Avoid twisting and side bending while lifting. Step or pivot, turning your whole body.
• Plan where to set the load down, ideally on a raised platform that will not require you to bend down with the weight of the load. Avoid placing loads directly on the floor.

Rest breaks help

It is also important to take advantage of rest periods to relax tired muscles and recover strength between lifts. Remind workers to switch between heavy loads and lighter ones.  Consider your work environment, too – rest more often when it is hot and humid, and when it is cold, be aware that it takes more time to warm up your muscles.

Proper lifting and handling methods can protect people from getting injured. Encouraging your workers to use these safe lifting techniques can help keep them healthy and safe. 

The Canadian Centre for Occupational Health and Safety (CCOHS) promotes the total well being of workers in Canada by providing information, training, education, systems and solutions that support health and safety programs and injury and illness prevention.
www.ccohs.ca

• Tweet

• KIOTI Tractor expands its warehousing capacity with new facility in Milton, Ont.
• Police wish to identify two suspects associated with damage to Ottawa golf course