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Standard Safe Lifting Techniques

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To protect your back from serious injury such as a herniated disc or a pinched nerve while making your job easier, you should make use of safe lifting and handling techniques. With training and practice you will be a pro in no time!

Although I put this together as more of a general safe practices to perform when lifting and carrying objects in the work place, a lot of these principals can be put into place in general life situations.

By following these basic steps when lifting and handling any object, you will help to ensure a long healthy life for your back and help avoid problematic back pain

Plan Your Move Ahead of Time

• Before moving anything you should size up your load and be sure that you path is clear of obstructions
• If the load is too heavy or awkward for you to carry always find someone to help you. A “hero” with a bad back is no good to anyone

Practice Safe Lifting and Carrying

• Always try to keep the load as close to your body as possible
• Be sure to avoid jerking motions and lift in one smooth motion. Do not use your back to lift, instead use your thigh and leg muscles

How to Achieve Safe Lifting

• Line up to the load with your feet shoulder width apart and the load centered between them
• Grab the load with a strong, firm grip
• While keeping your arms and elbows close to you side, bend your knees and hips while keeping your back straight

With safe lifting achieved, safe carrying is required

• Always keep a firm grip on the load being carried
• To help keep your back straight, make sure the load stays close to your body
• Never block your line of sight with a load you are carrying, so keep it at a reasonable height
• When rotating never twist your back when carrying anything, instead pivot your feet in the direction you need

Now That You Have Reached Your Destination

• If you picked up the load with a smooth motion, it only makes sense that you should drop the load with another smooth motion. Again avoid jerking motions. Reverse the lifting objects section when lowering materials
• If you are lowering your load onto a deep shelf, instead of dropping it to the back of the shelf, place it on the edge and push it to the back
• Rule of thumb - push rather then pull - pull rather than carry

The Use of Mechanical Devices
If a load is heavy and there is no one available to lend you a hand, look for an artificial one such as a lift truck, trolley, a push cart, conveyors or a hoist. If none of these are available for you to use, don’t be a hero. Exercise some patience and wait for help to become available. An employer would rather you wait for help then have to deal with insurance issues from you hurting your back on his property.

With the use of these safe lifting and carrying techniques, you should be able to prevent most common work place back pain conditions.