Awkward Postures

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Potential Hazards

~ Bending while lifting forces the back to support the weight of the upper body in addition to the weight you are lifting.
~ Bending moves the load away from the body and allows leverage to significantly increase the effective load on the back.
~ Reaching moves the weight of the load away from the body, increases the effective load on the back, and places a lot of strain on the shoulders.
~ Carrying loads on one shoulder, under an arm, or in one hand, creates uneven pressure on the spine.
~ Poor housekeeping limits proper access to objects being lifted and forces awkward postures.

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Possible Solutions
~ Store materials that need to be manually lifted and transported in the employees’ “power zone.”
~ Minimize bending and reaching by placing heavy objects on shelves, tables, or racks.
~ Help employees avoid twisting. Have them turn by moving their feet rather than twisting their torso.
~ Remind employees to keep the vertical distance of lifts between mid-thigh and shoulder height.
~ Remind employees to keep the load close to the body.
~ Provide ladders, aerial lifts, or other mechanical means to elevate or move personnel.
~ Break down loads into smaller units so employees can carry one in each hand to equalize loads.
~ Optimize employee access to heavy items through good housekeeping and pre-planning.

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Force – Lifting

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How much weight a worker can safely lift depends on a number of factors:
~ body posture
~ lifting factors
~ object weight
~ how close or far the object is from the body
~ how bulky the object is
~ how high or low the object is
~ how much twisting or bending is required
~ how frequent the lifts are
~ how far the load must be carried
~ how the load is gripped or held

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General controls to reduce lifting hazards:
~ Use lift assists (such as hand dollies, carts, lift tables, and forklifts).
~ Reduce the size of product boxes to lighten the load.
~ Arrange the work space so employees can move closer to the load and perform lifts with arms close to the body.
~ Use adjustable palletizers that allow loading at waist height.
~ Use pallets that can rotate.
~ Use tubs with adjustable bottoms to reduce the need to bend over to remove product.
~ Put objects to be lifted on a surface above floor level.
~ Arrange workstations so lifting is done in front and without twisting.
~ Use chutes and slides to move loads across conveyors or in a new direction.
~ Put handles or grips on boxes.
~ Use gloves that aid in holding slippery objects.
 

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General Information

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Assess the tasks and activities to be performed. Remember the benefits of good body mechanics.

~ Use good lifting principles, especially when reaching, twisting, and lifting from heights and awkward angles.
~ Use the “power zone” (the area between your upper chest and lower thighs) to move loads safely.
~ Always ask yourself:
          • What tools can I use?
          • What should I not do?
~ Stretch and exercise your back regularly.

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Good Body Mechanics

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~ Maintain proper posture.
~ Change positions frequently (walk or stretch).
~ Minimize the amount of bending and twisting you do.
~ Avoid reaching out over an obstruction to lift, hold, pull, or lower an object.
~ Store frequently used or heavier items at waist height.
~ Push loads – don’t pull them.

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Make a plan for lifting, carrying, and reaching:

~ Test the weight.
~ Face the object in a stable stance.
~ Don’t hold your breath.
~ Use your legs, not your back.
~ Do not bend and twist at the same time.
~ Check your pathway to be sure there are no tripping hazards.

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Horizontal Reaches and the Shoulders

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Potential Hazards of Horizontal Reaches
~ Repetitive or prolonged forward reaching that pulls the elbow away from the body forces the shoulder to support the weight of the arm and any         load in the hand.
~ Performing horizontal motions, such as pushing materials down a conveyor line with the arms extended, increases the risk of muscle and tendon     strain and overexertion.

Possible Solutions
 

~ Redesign work stations so equipment and products can be reached while workers keep the elbows in close to the body.
~ Provide conveyors, roller tables, or low-friction surfaces when employees move a load to another area so they don’t manually push it across a         standard work bench.
~ Reduce the width of conveyor belts or use diverters to keep materials close to the employee’s body.
~ Provide support for the arms or the weight of the object to take the stress off the shoulders.
~ Position work areas to keep workers’ elbows close to the body. Remove obstructions, such as work tables, bins, or power equipment, so                   employees can move closer to the task.

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Move Safely

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~ While carrying a load, do not twist or bend.
~ When setting the load down, bend at the knees and slide the load down your body.
~ Always know how much an item weighs before you lift it.
~ Always push a load; do not pull it.

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Overhead Reaching and the Shoulders

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Potential Hazards of Overhead Reaches
~ Working with the elbow above shoulder height for prolonged periods can trap nerves and blood vessels under bone and muscle, leading to               numbness and tingling in the hands, and can fatigue the muscles of the shoulder and upper arm.
~ Repeatedly lifting or applying force with arms above shoulder level can strain the muscles and tendons of the shoulder and neck, making them         more susceptible to tears and fatigue. Bursitis and tendinitis can result from irritation as these tasks are repeatedly performed.

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Possible Solutions

 ~Provide height-adjustable work platforms to elevate employees and reduce the need for elevated or extended reaches.
~ Provide stools or ladders to elevate workers so tasks can be performed with the elbows close to the body.
~ Provide assist equipment to mechanically lift and hold materials above the head so employees do not maintain awkward postures for extended         periods.
~ Provide extending tools or handles to prevent employees from working with their arms above shoulder level.

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Risk Assessment

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Risk assessment can be a big, complex process, but it doesn’t have to be. It’s really nothing more than a careful examination of your work area to determine what could cause you harm. Use that information to decide whether you have taken enough precautions or you should do more to prevent injury.

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Before you lift, think about it:
~ How much does it weigh?
~ How much can I safely lift?
~ Can I get a secure grip?
~ Are there loose, falling, or moving objects?
~ Are there slip/trip hazards or is my path clear?
 

It pays to step back and think about material handling jobs. You can prevent injuries in new jobs, and get some fresh insight into the “same old" jobs.

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Before you lift, think about it:
~ What is the best way?
~ Are the objects I am lifting secure?
~ Can I raise or lower them properly?
~ Do I need help or equipment to lift or carry this?
 

Risk assessment should be a continual process. Things change. New hazards may be introduced. Improved methods may be discovered or may become available.

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Safe Lifting Techniques

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Use a pushcart or other material-handling device. Ask a co-worker for help if no device is available.

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If you must lift alone:
~ check the entire walkway or path before lifting
~ wear good shoes that provide balance and traction, and
~ keep loads as close to your body as possible.
 

General Safety Tips
~ Don’t lift objects over your head.
~ Don’t twist your body when lifting or setting an object down.
~ Don’t reach over an obstacle to lift a load.
~ Pace yourself to avoid fatigue.

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Situations to Avoid

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Lifting or lowering from a high place                          
 

If you must do this:

~ Stand on a platform instead of a ladder.
~ Lift the load in smaller pieces, if possible.
~ Slide the load as close to yourself as possible.
~ Grip firmly and slide the load down.
~ Get help when you need it.

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Lifting from hard-to-get-at places

If you must do this:
~ Get as close to the load as possible.
~ Keep your back straight and stomach muscles tight.
~ Bend your knees.
~ Lift with your legs, not your back.

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Lifting drums, barrels, and cylinders

If you must do this:
~ Use mechanical assists.
~ Always be aware that loads can shift.
~ Get help if the load is too heavy.

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Lifting awkward objects
 

If you must do this:
~ Bend your knees with your feet spread apart.
~ Grip the top outside and bottom inside corners.
~ Use your legs to lift, keeping your back straight.

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Shoveling
 

If you must do this:
~ Make sure your grip and balance are solid.
~ Tighten your abdomen as you lift.
~ Keep the shovel close to your body.
~ Use your thighs and legs to bring you upright.
~ Keep your lower hand close to the blade to increase leverage.

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