5 Smart Lifting Techniques You Can Use Anywhere
“Lift with your legs, not with your back … Don’t pick up more than you can carry … Wait for help …”
Lifting instructions like these are quoted often, but they’re also ignored and forgotten just as frequently. The Bureau of Labor Statistics reports that overexertion is the nation’s leading cause for workplace injury, accounting for 34%, with a majority of these cases resulting in back injuries.
The question remains: If we know how to lift properly, why are there still so many overexertion injuries occurring?
One reason is that it’s very easy to forget how severe the consequences can be for engaging in such a simple task. For most people, lifting is an everyday occurrence. At work, we lift and move tools, paperwork, and materials. At home, we pick up boxes, bags, and our children. When you spend so much time moving things, it’s easy to let down your guard.
[sidebar]Equipment at the Ready
Never strain your body to save time! When it comes to heavy lifting, let machines do the work: GIW workers have access to lifting tools, jigs, and even forklifts, so always ask for help.[/sidebar]
Unfortunately, it takes just one misstep to hurt yourself. From muscle strain to more significant damage to your joints or spinal discs, a momentary lapse in judgment about lifting can result in an injury that lasts a lifetime.
The good news is that it’s easy to employ safe lifting techniques anytime, anywhere. Here are six steps you should follow every time you pick something up:
- Think about it. Even if you can lift something, it doesn’t mean you should. Know your physical limits, and never lift something without assessing it first — even if you’re in a hurry.
- Simplify the process. Do whatever you can to make the process safer. Determine whether the item can be broken down into smaller quantities or moved a shorter distance.
- Maintain the correct body alignment. When you do lift something, focus on keeping your body aligned properly. When you pick up the object, bend at the knees — never the waist — keeping your chest forward and your back straight. While carrying, lead with your hips and never hunch or arch your back.
- Keep weight close to the body. It’s much easier to maintain proper alignment and protect your back if you carry items in the “power zone,” the area between your chest and thighs.
- Set it down properly. Don’t overexert yourself at the end: As you set the object down, try to keep your hips over your knees and your back straight, bending at the knees as necessary. Never twist your body or bend in an awkward position in order to push or heave something into place.
- Know when to ask for help. If something is too heavy, you should find another person or tool to help you. However, it’s not just about weight; if the object is large or awkward, or if you’re placing it someplace high or tight, this can be just as dangerous. Consider a mechanical aid like a forklift or dolly, or find a coworker, family member, or friend. You’ll never regret asking for help, but you’ll always regret a lifting injury!
Remember: Lifting safely applies to every situation — in the foundry, in the office, and at home! So memorize these techniques and make proper lifting a priority everywhere.
