At the United States Postal Service®, lifting and handling are a part of daily duties for every employee. With the Postal Service’s increased emphasis on package delivery, employees and their supervisors must learn how to reduce the potential risk of injury from lifting.
Sometimes it’s not what you are lifting, but how you are lifting that causes a painful back injury. Many back injuries are caused by everyday activities like lifting groceries, picking up a child, or reaching down to pick something up off the floor.
Lifting injuries can also be caused by sudden excessive exertion or develop over time with repetitive movement, such as:
n Bending, twisting, or reaching.
n Lifting loads heavier than an individual’s physical capabilities.
Reduce the risk of lifting injuries with the following tips:
n Elevate tubs, trays, and parcels to a raised surface to avoid lifting from the floor. Also, place items you lift frequently into the zone between the knees and shoulders where the body has the most available strength.
n When available, use table platforms, hamper inserts, and mechanical aids like pallet lifts or tilters to avoid bending and reaching.
n Position yourself correctly to ensure you can see over and around the load you are carrying to avoid tripping hazards.
n Use reach tools to bring out-of-reach items into position for proper lifting. Back bending from reaching or shoulder extension from overreaching could result in an injury from awkward posture.
Practice proper lifting techniques to prevent injuries:
n Plan your lift. Decide on the route you will take and check your unloading spot so that you can anticipate any problems. Make sure your path and field of vision are clear.
n Size up the load. Test the weight and assess the shape and position of the package. If the load is too heavy or awkward to move alone, use a hand cart or do a team lift. Team lifting is a technique used whenever handling or transferring anything that is too large for one person. During a team lift, designate a person to lead the lift, lift at the same time, keep the load level, and slowly unload together. Working together will make the job easier, faster, and less dangerous.
n Lift correctly. Keep the load as close to the body as possible, maintaining a neutral back posture to avoid bending, while keeping your chin up and lifting with your legs. Let your legs do the work by using your strong thigh muscles to lift, rather than your weaker back. Don’t twist your body if you need to turn. If possible, place your feet shoulder-width apart and straddle the load. Move your feet instead of your trunk.
n Unload items carefully. If your load must go on the back of a deep shelf, use a reach tool, put the load down on the edge, and push it into place. If you are placing the item on a lower level, bend your knees and squat as you unload it. To retrieve an item from deep within a box or drawer, use a container tilter to tip the container to reduce bending. Get as close as you can to the object, squat slightly, and place your bent knees against the box or drawer before you lift.
The best way to avoid injury is to lift properly and know what you are lifting. Be sure to get help with a load that you cannot safely lift by yourself. When you find it necessary to lift a heavier object, think carefully about the smartest way to accomplish this task.
Practice safe lifting to keep your back healthy and to prevent painful or disabling back injuries. For more information about safe lifting, visit blue.usps.gov/hr/safety/lifting.htm.
— Occupational Safety and Health,
Human Resources, 8-10-23
