Back Safety

andSafe Lifting

Carl Powell

Director of Environmental Health & Safety

Course Content

Introduction

Anatomy

Mechanics

Lifting & carrying

Risk assessment

Preventing back injuries

INTRODUCTION

This training session provides information on preventing back injuries and techniques for safe lifting

By age 50 approximately 85% of Americans have had one or more back injury

More than 1 million injuries occureach year

25% of workers compensationclaims involve backinjuries – costing billionsof dollars annually

Introduction

Back injuries are the largest cause of accidents at work:

Back injuries are exceedingly painful and difficult to heal

After suffering one back injury,you are much more likely toexperience another injury

It is important to learn how toavoid injuring or re-injuringyour back

Introduction

Back injuries are caused by:

Improper lifting – often cumulative damage over a period a time

Overuse of certain muscles and joints

Poor general health, lack of physical fitness, loss of suppleness

Stress and fatigue

ANATOMYBack - Complex System:

Spine

Muscles

Ligaments and tendons

Nerves

Spine

Three main functions:

To protect the spinal cord

To allow movement

To support the upper body

Spine

Strong and flexible

Gentle ‘S’ bend

The lower part of the back holds most of the body’s weight

Every time you bend over, you put stress on your spine – even leaning forward at your desk

Over time the discs become damaged

Anatomy

Discs

Vertebrae

33 bones – the top 24 are separated by discs

The bottom 9 fuse together by adulthood

Each vertebrae has 4 joints which enables movement

Vertebrae are larger towards the bottom of the spine

Vertebrae

Spinal CordDisc

Anatomy

Anatomy

Discs

Act as shock absorbers

Firmly attached to vertebrae

Poor blood supply- slows healing

Annulus stretches and relaxes during movement

Disc

Nucleus

Annulus

Anatomy

Discs

Repeated stresses can cause minute tears and bulging of the disk

Presses on adjacent nerves and ligaments – pins & needles, pain, numbness

Commonly called a slipped disc or herniated disc

Anatomy

Muscles

Muscles are bundles of fibers which enable movement

Muscles affecting the spine

Messages from the brain cause them to contract and relax

A damaged muscle is called a strain

AnatomyLigaments and tendons

Stooped back posture can result in permanent elongation – weakness and pain

If stretched too far and torn – called a sprain

Ligaments connect two or more bones together

Tendons attach muscle to bone

Strong fibrous tissues

Small degree of elasticity

AnatomyNerves

Millions of fibers transmitting electrical impulses back and forth from the brain

Nerves branch out from the spinal cord and pass between vertebrae

A herniated disc can irritate the nerve root and cause leg pain

– this is calledsciatica and is oftenmore painful thanlower back pain

MECHANICS

Think of you back as a lever

The balance point is through the center of the body when standing

Center of Gravity

Equal force

Mechanics

A load held in front disturbs the balance - tension is generated in the back muscles to compensate

The human back operates on a 10:1 ratio; with the waist acting as the fulcrum

Center of Gravity

(fulcrum)

Mechanics

Holding the load closer to your body will reduce the pressure on your back

100 lbs. 10 lbs.

Mechanics

Using the proper lifting technique (bend at the knees and keep the back straight) to reduce the pressure on your back

100 lbs.

10 lbs.

X

Mechanics

To reduce the tension: hold the load closer to the body and bend your knees

High or repetitive levels of tension in the back can cause damage

LIFTING & CARRYING

Steps:

Before lifting occursPlan the routeAssess the loadCorrect positioning of feetStraight backCorrect gripLift smoothlyCarrying the load

Before lifting

Warm up exercises

Prior to lifting, you should warm up your muscles just like a professional athlete

Lifting

Plan the Route

Where is the load going ?

Are there obstructions in the way ?

Is there somewhere to set it down ?

LiftingCorrect Positioning of Feet

Comfortably apart

One foot positioned in direction of movement

Other foot where it can give maximum thrust to the body

To maintain good balance feet should never be too close together on the ground

Lifting

Straight Back

Lower the body by relaxing the knees

Keep your back straight (but not vertical)

Keep load close to body

Keep chin in and head back

Lifting

If lifting from ground make maximum use of legs

Keep back straight, but inclined forward

Tighten the stomach muscles as the lift begins

As lift proceeds and the legs are straightened, the back returns to vertical position

Positioning of feet and bending of knees are the key factors in maintaining a straight back

LiftingCorrect Grip

Take a firm grip by using the palms of the hands and roots of fingers

Taking weight on finger tips will create pressure at the end of fingers and could strain muscles and tendons in the arms

A full palm grip will reduce muscle stress to the arms and decrease the possibility of the load slipping

LiftingLifting Smoothly

Thrust from back foot and straightening of knees will move body forwards and upwards – briefly off balance

Immediately countered by bringing the back foot forward as if walking

Lift now completed - forward movement results in smooth transition from lifting to carrying

LiftingCarrying the Load

Make sure you can see where you are going

Avoid twisting the body – move your feet instead

If you need to change your grip – set the load down – not whilst walking

Setting the Load Down

Use the correct stance for lifting and set the load down gently

Lifting

One Person Lift

Determine the weight

Look for sharp edges

See if the weight is evenlydistributed

Keep heaviest side to body

Decide how to hold the load

If it is too heavy use a trolley or get assistance

LiftingTwo Person Lift

Decide who will be caller

Assess the weight

Correct positioning of feet

Straight back

Correct grip

Lift together

Lifting - Summary

Plan the route, the lift and the set down point

Position your feet - bent knees, straight back

Firm grip, lift smoothly

Move the feet – do not twist body

Keep the load close to the body

Put down smoothly – then adjust for final position

RISK ASSESSMENT

TaskIndividual’s capabilitiesLoadEnvironment

Other factors

A risk assessment is an examination of the factors that may cause harm

Risk Assessment

Holding loads away from body

Twisting

Stooping

Reaching upwards

Large vertical movements

Long travel distances

Strenuous pushing and pulling

Unpredictable movement of load

Repetitive handling

Insufficient rest or recovery time

Work rate imposed by the process

The Task - Avoid:

Risk Assessment

Individual’s capability

Certain conditions may limit an individuals capability

- Illness- Pregnancy - Obesity

Some tasks require unusual capabilities, special information or training

Risk Assessment

The Load

Heavy – can the load be broken down into smaller loads

Bulky or unwieldy – are two people required

Difficult to grasp/hold – would a trolley assist the move

Harmful i.e. sharp/hot – is personal protective equipment required

Risk Assessment

The Working Environment

Constraints on posture - e.g. lack of space

Poor floors

Variations in levels

Hot / cold / rain / humid conditions

Strong air movement

Poor lighting conditions

Risk Assessment

Other Factors

Is movement hindered by clothing or personal protective clothing

High stress

Rushing – pressure of work

Showing off

Short cuts

Avoid lifting and bending whenever you can.

Place objects up off the floor

That way you won’t have to reach down to pick them up again

Raise / lower shelves

PREVENTING BACK INJURIES

Short frequent breaks are better than infrequent long breaks – for example 10 seconds rest every 10 minutes is more helpful than a 60 second rest every 60 minutes

Preventing back injuries

Don’toverdo

it

Don’t be afraid to ask for help – know your physical limitations and abilities

Preventing back injuriesUse assistive devices if possible

Gas cylinder trolleyHand truck Utility cart

Scissor lift tablePallet truck

Preventing back injuriesAssistive devices allow both hands to control the truck/cart

Tie down straps may be required

Pushing a device is better for your back than pulling

Stay close to the load and keep your back straight

Avoid leaning over

Preventing back injuries

Sleeping position - The neutral position keeps the back in its natural “S” bend

Try placing a pillow between your knees when sleeping on your side

Or place a pillow under your knees when sleeping on your back - You may also want to try using a towel roll to support your lower back

FINALLY

This session provides practical information on preventing back injuries and how to safely lift objects

You will only protect yourself if you practice the techniques described

These techniques affect work and home activities

Now take the quiz