Back Safety Tip Sheet

Safe Lifting Techniques

Golfers Technique: Kick your back leg up to keep spine neutral

Build a Bridge: Form a bridge between your hand and leg to support your upper body

Diagonal Lift/Staggered Stance: Wide base of support, close to the load, legs become more involved

For light-weight 1-hand lift For heavier 1-hand lift w/a handle For larger/heavier 2-hand lift

Safe Lifting Recommendations

Risks Recommendations

Lift / Carry Bending the back (lifts below knee level) Twisting the back or reaching (lifts

above shoulder level or to the side)

Get close to the object Bend at the knees and hips Keep the back in a natural S-curve For lifts above shoulder height, use a step stool. For lifts below knee level, use a partner or a lift device

Awkward or heavy loads*

BEST PRACTICE Use equipment such as height adjustable carts or lift assists**

Grip firmly with both hands Test the weight. Ask for help if its too heavy! Lift smoothly and avoid jerky motions If possible, slide the load rather than lift it

Carrying an item farther than 10 feet Use a cart **

Push / Pull Bending and twisting the back when maneuvering in tight spaces or through doors

Ask a partner to help guide the cart while you push. If this is not an option, prop doors open before moving the cart through a doorway.

Pushing a cart with a heavy load Tighten your abdominal muscles and use your legs to push Ask for help if needed

Pushing a cart over an uneven or cracked floor, or pushing a broken cart

Reduce the load on the cart Anticipate your needs for assistance

(additional person or mechanical assist**) Notify supervisor for maintenance

* See definitions of awkward (e.g., in the Danger Zone) and heavy loads on reverse.

** Search ERGO on gWiz and look for the Plant Ergonomics Products Catalog for carts and other material handling equipment. When purchasing or designing new carts, refer to the Cart Design section of the Ergonomics Design Guidelines, also on the ERGO website.

2

Carts and Push/Pull Assists

Search ERGO on gWiz and look for the Plant Ergonomics Products Catalog for carts and other material handling equipment. When purchasing or designing new carts, refer to the Cart Design section of the Ergonomics Design Guidelines, also on the ERGO website.

Manual Material Handling Guidelines

Use these Guidelines to determine:

Upper limits for at-risk lifting and carrying of materials

Material storage heights

Push/pull force limits (Contact Ergonomics at x55055 for assistance with measuring actual push/pull forces)