On or off the job, lifting is a part of the daily routine that most individuals don’t think about it. All it takes is one wrong move to cause an injury. Lifting incorrectly is a major cause of on-the-job injuries, such as:
n Strains,
n Pulled muscles,
n Disc lesions, and
n Painful hernias.
Injuries like these can affect daily activities, and often result in doctor’s fees and lost work days. Learn how to prevent injuries by lifting properly:
1. When you are ready to lift the object, stand close to it with legs in a shoulder-width stance.
2. Bend at the hips and knees into a squatting position, while keeping the feet flat.
3. Squat down close to the load, while keeping your back straight.
4. Pull the load close to your body and lift with your legs, not your back.
5. Check your footing and lift slowly, using “leg power.”
Use a step stool or platform instead of reaching above your shoulders to lift an object, and never carry a load that blocks your view. Also, remember these important tips:
n Always think before you lift. Size up the load and get help if the object is heavy or bulky, or use material-handling equipment, such as hand trucks and mail transport equipment (MTE).
n Inspect your path. Be wary of stairs, curbs, or other tripping and slipping hazards. Choose the flattest, straightest, and clearest route before you lift the object, even if it is a little longer.
n Get a firm grip. Check the object for nails and sharp edges. If the load is wet or slippery, wipe it off.
n Keep the object stable. Make sure the weight of the object is stable and distributed evenly, if possible.
n Move with caution. Pivot your feet to change direction; don‘t twist.
Additionally, proper use of hand trucks and MTE can save a lot of manual effort. When manually moving materials, you could potentially pinch or crush toes and fingers when unloading the object to the ground, a shelf, or another location. Before you unload, make sure your fingers and toes are not underneath the object.
Keep in mind that when stacking large pieces of material, you could become trapped between the materials; or, if you stack objects in an unstable manner, you could be caught under a fallen load.
Remember to always push MTE instead of pulling it. Pulling a load while facing the direction of travel keeps your arm stretched behind your body, and places your shoulder and back in an awkward position. Pushing uses stronger leg muscles, instead of weaker arm muscles. Pushing equipment also prevents employees from being involved in accidents.
Supervisors must ensure that employees have been trained in proper lifting techniques during orientation. Review job safety analyses that focus attention on lifting tasks. Use work practice observations to monitor employees’ safe and unsafe lifting techniques.
For more information, visit:
n Safety Toolkit: safetytoolkit.usps.gov/SafetyTalks2/LibraryOfSafetyTalks.aspx.
n Safety resources: A – Z Index – Lifting: safetytoolkit.usps.gov:12/lifting.aspx.
— Safety and OSHA Compliance Programs,
Employee Resource Management, 11-21-19
