Environmental Engineering Reference
In-Depth Information
The.lower.back.supports.70.percent.to.80.percent.of.the.body's.weight.above.the.
hips..If.the.weight.of.an.object.to.be.lifted.or.the.worker.is.overweight.with.a.potbelly.
or.out.of.shape,.a.great.deal.of.stress.is.being.placed.on.the.back,.which.is.often.more.
than.the.back.can.support..Much.can.be.done.to.prevent.an.injury.to.the.back;.some.
of.these.are
•.
Good.posture.is.important.(do.not.slouch).
•.
Regular.exercise.is.important.(normal.work.may.not.be.enough).
•.
Warm.up.and.stretch.before.you.lift.
•.
Use.good.lifting.techniques.
•.
Don't.overdo.it.(get.help).
Poor. posture. can. cause. back. pain. and. can. be. corrected. by. good. posture.. Over.
a. long. period. of. time,. poor. posture. can. cause. permanent. damage. to. the. back..
Strengthening.and.lexibility.exercises.will.help.prevent.new.and.recurring.injuries..
Many.companies.have.begun.pre-work.exercising.and.warm-up.exercise.programs.
that.have.been.successful.in.reducing.back.injuries.as.well.as.their.severity..There.
are. times. when. exercise. is. not. appropriate,. such. as. when. there. is. pain. in. the. leg.
below.the.knee;.weakness,.numbness,.or.pins.and.needles.in.feet.or.toes;.back.pain.
after.a.recent.accident;.bladder.problems.after.recent.back.pain;.or.when.a.feeling.of.
less.wellness.in.conjunction.with.back.pain.exists..A.physician.should.be.contacted.
immediately.when.any.of.these.symptoms.exist.
Warm. up. before. lifting,. like. athletes. always. do. before. strenuous. exertion;. then.
use.good.lifting.techniques.(see.Figure 23.3),.such.as
.
1.. Push.the.load.to.determine.weight.
.
2.. Get. a. irm. footing,. separate. feet,. point. toes. outward,. and. place. one. foot.
slightly.in.front.of.the.other.
.
3.. Bend.the.knees..Leg.muscles.are.stronger.than.back.muscles.
.
4.. Tighten.stomach.muscles.and.keep.back.straight/upright.
.
5.. Pull.the.load.toward.the.body.and.keep.it.close.to.the.body.
.
6.. Grip.with.the.hands.not.your.ingers..Wear.tight-itting.gloves.
.
7.. Use.the.stomach,.buttocks,.and.leg.muscles.to.lift.and.to.set.the.load.down.
.
8.. Make.sure.the.load.is.balanced;.lift.it.straight.up.and.do.not.twist.the.body.
.
9.. Make.sure.the.pathway.is.clear.in.the.path.of.travel.
When.lifting,.many.other.aspects.of.proper.lifting.can.be.employed.in.order.to.
have.a.safe.lift.and.to.prevent.any.injuries.while.lifting,.including
•.
Lift.at.waist.level.
•.
Never.lift.or.carry.above.shoulder.level.
•.
Break.larger.loads.into.smaller.ones.
•.
Housekeeping.(keep.pathways.clear).
•.
Find.a.better.way.
•.
Get.help.(team.lift).
•.
Push,.do.not.pull.a.load.
