Lifting Techniques

37,300 back injuries were reported in 2007 to the Bureau of Labor Stastics. Improper lifting techniques can result in short term injuries of sprains or strains of the lower back.
The size of the object being lifted should be within the safe lifting limits of the individual lifting. Use assistance when lifting large objects to distribute the weight of the load over a greater area. Bend your knees and keep your back as straight as possible so that the load bearing weight is being lifted by your legs. When moving with the object take frequent breaks to avoid muscle fatigue.

Maintain situational awareness when moving objects through areas with limited movement. I was lifting a heavy desk with a fellow worker through a door way using all the right techniques, so we thought. We had failed to take in to account the use of PPE during the movement and had used gloves but not reinforced footwear. The desk was difficult to hold and just prior to clearing the narrow door way my fellow worker hit his hand on the door frame. Although he had gloves on the hit caused his hand to involuntarily open releasing his grip of the desk. The desk proceeded to drop down and on to his foot, which was not covered with reinforced footwear. The lesson learned was that placement of the hands on the object being moved and use of proper PPE for all areas is essential.