Safety Integrity Teamwork Excellence July 22, 2013 Back strain in Building 1231 IRIS # : Classification: Lost-Time

Safety Integrity Teamwork Excellence Background An employee injured their back while lifting a case of canned food at the Child Development Center. The employee was moving a case of canned food from the floor to a pantry shelf when their back gave out. The employee was transported by ambulance to Sentara. The employee was treated with prescription strength medication and was unable to return to work for several days, making this an OSHA recordable injury with lost-time.

Safety Integrity Teamwork Excellence Investigation The employee was in the process of lifting a case of six - #10 cans of food from the floor of the kitchen to a shelf in the kitchen pantry. The food delivery driver would normally place the cans on the shelf at the time of delivery, but these cans were delivered by a new driver who left them on the floor. A case of six - #10 cans of food weighs approximately 40 pounds. A #10 can will hold approximately one gallon or 5 standard soup cans worth of food.

Safety Integrity Teamwork Excellence Investigation The employee stated that they have had back problems before, so they were familiar with proper lifting technique. The employee said they were trying to lift the load properly, but the case tore open as they were picking it up and one of the cans started to fall out. The employee had to make a quick twisting movement to keep the can from hitting their foot. The employee felt immediate pain and had to be transported to the Hampton Sentara Emergency Room for evaluation and treatment. The employee was given a prescription strength medication and was unable to return to work for several days.

Safety Integrity Teamwork Excellence Root and Proximate Causes Root Cause – The employee did not plan their lift properly to account for known back problems. Proximate Causes – The employee had a history of back problems – The delivery driver was new, and left the case of cans on the floor – The case tore open causing the employee to twist suddenly while lifting – The employee was trying to lift an entire case

Safety Integrity Teamwork Excellence Lessons to Share When planning work, employees may need to consider preexisting conditions or injuries to prevent aggravating or worsening the injury. Some examples of preexisting conditions/injuries that employees need to be mindful of are: – A sore back from weekend yard work – A knee injury from sports – Insect bites – Arthritis – Asthma Employees are encouraged to break up loads into small sizes whenever possible. In this case, the employee should have opened the case to lift one can at a time.

Safety Integrity Teamwork Excellence Lessons to Share When moving or lifting objects, good technique is imperative. Complex motions, like twisting while pulling (or lifting) should be avoided. Good lifting technique involves the use of proper body mechanics. – Lift with the strength of your legs. Your arms do not have the muscle mass or power of your legs. – Avoid using your lower back to lift or move things as much as possible. – Never twist at the torso. This puts undue stress on your lower back. Change directions by moving your feet to turn your body. When in doubt about lifting, ask for assistance.