1. Back Safety and Lifting
It is a good idea to have some commonly lifted items from the actual job to demonstrate and have students practice proper lifting with during this training. On slide 9, break the group into teams to take turns observing and lifting properly.
The information in this document was obtained from sources which, to the best of the writer’s knowledge, are authentic and reliable. Arthur J. Gallagher & Co. makes no guarantee of results and assumes no liability in connection with either the information or recommendations obtained in this document. Moreover, it cannot be assumed that every acceptable procedure is included in this document or that abnormal or unusual circumstances may not warrant or require further or additional procedures.

2. Why Back Safety is Important
Nation’s #1 workplace safety problem
Back injuries are often:
Very painful
A long term or lifetime disability
Expensive to diagnose and treat
Back injuries are considered by OSHA to be the nation’s #1 workplace safety problem
Back injuries are often:
Very painful
A long term or lifetime disability
Expensive to diagnose and treat
Recurring

3. Risk Factors Common causes of back injuries Heavy lifting Twisting
Reaching & Lifting
Carrying and Lifting
Awkward postures
Slips, Trips and Falls
The risk factors for back injuries can be many. However, common causes of back injuries include:
Heavy lifting – could we say lifting an item too heavy for one person?
Twisting at the waist while lifting or holding a load
Reaching & Lifting overhead, over shrubs or to take something out of the back of the truck
Carrying and Lifting? Not sure if this one belongs.
Awkward postures for example reaching over or around shrubs or perhaps items in a crawlspace.
Or it could be because of a Slip, Trip or Fall

4. Maintain a Healthy Back
Exercise
Maintain a healthy weight
Don’t smoke
Maintain proper posture
How do you maintain a healthy back? Here are some tips:
Exercise – combine exercise, such as walking or swimming, with specific exercises to keep the muscles in your back and abdomen strong and flexible. If you have a history of back trouble, be sure to check with your doctor before you begin any strenuous exercise
Maintain a healthy weight – Being overweight puts extra strain on your spine and lower back. Select foods that are good for you and will help keep your weight down.
Don’t smoke – Both smoke and nicotine cause your spine to age faster than normal.
Maintain proper posture – Good posture is important to avoiding lower back problems. How you sit, stand and lift objects affects the health of your spine.
Stretch

5. 4 Steps to Lifting Safe Assess Plan Lift Your capabilities Load
Environment
Plan
Route
Before making a lift, be sure to put into practice the following 4 steps to lifting safe:
Assess the lift you are about to perform – What type of posture will you be in. Will it require a team lift or can one person accomplish? Are you capable of performing or do you have issues (for example health problems) that could prevent you from performing the lift safely. Take a look at the load, what is the weight, shape, size, and how is it packaged? Finally, look at the environment you will be lifting in – how is the housekeeping, the condition of the surface you will be walking on and will you be moving to another level?
Plan the lift – can anyone else help? Is there mechanical aids (pallet jack etc) available? Look at your route – specifically start and end points. Are there obstructions and can they be moved? Remember the shortest distance may not always be your best route.

6. 4 Steps to Lifting Safe Prepare Perform Can load be split?
Is load stable?
Is load evenly distributed?
Cover sharp or abrasive edges
Perform
Get a good grip
Use smooth controlled movements
Avoid twisting and stooping
Use team lifting where appropriate
After you’ve assessed and planned the load, you are ready to Prepare for and perform the lift.
Prepare the load: Does the load need to be split and can it be split? If the load is unstable, can it be made more stable? Are the contents evenly distributed? Does the load contain sharp or abrasive edges that need to be covered?
Perform the lift following proper lifting techniques. For example: Getting a good grip, using smooth controlled movements, avoiding twisting and stooping and using team lifting where appropriate.

7. How to Lift Safely
Take a moment to think about what you're about to do.
Examine the object for sharp corners, slippery spots or other potential hazards.
Know your limit and don't try to exceed it.
Before lifting:
Take a moment to think about what you're about to do.
Examine the object for sharp corners, slippery spots or other potential hazards.
Know your limit and don't try to exceed it.
Ask for help if needed, or if possible, divide the load to make it lighter.
Know where you are going to set the item down
Make sure the location and your path are free of obstructions.
Then follow these steps:

8. How to Lift Safely cont’d
Ask for help if needed, or if possible, divide the load to make it lighter.
Know where you are going to set the item down
Make sure the location and your path are free of obstructions.
Then follow these steps:
Before lifting:
Take a moment to think about what you're about to do.
Examine the object for sharp corners, slippery spots or other potential hazards.
Know your limit and don't try to exceed it.
Ask for help if needed, or if possible, divide the load to make it lighter.
Know where you are going to set the item down
Make sure the location and your path are free of obstructions.
Then follow these steps:

9. Proper Lifting Techniques
1. Get close to the load
2. Squat Down
3. Grip the Load
4. Hug the Load
5. Lift Slowly
Proper Lifting
Techniques
Follow these steps to lift safely.
Stand close to the load with your feet spread apart about shoulder width with one foot slightly in front of the other for balance
Squat down bending at the knees (not your waist). Tuck your chin while keeping your back as vertical as possible.
Get a firm grasp of the object before beginning the lift.
Keep the object as close to the body as possible. The further away the object is from your body the more stress there is to the lumbar area of the back.
Begin slowly lifting with your LEGS by straightening them. Never twist your body during this step. If you must turn while carrying the load, turn using your feet - not your torso.
To place the object below the level of your waist, follow the same procedures in reverse order. Remember, keep your back as vertical as possible and bend at the knees.

10. Reaching & Lifting Pull the item to the edge of the truck bed.
Handle hose in 10’ sections.
Pick-up loops of hose as you treat and carry loops of hose back to the vehicle.
Don’t swing a backpack sprayer onto your back.
Get assistance
Position at edge of vehicle, squat down, lift with your legs
To reduce the potential for strain injuries, avoid reaching and lifting simultaneously.
Common activities to avoid and ways to avoid them are:
When removing items from the back of your vehicle, first pull the item to the edge of the truck bed and then lift it.
When unreeling a hose, don’t try to pull it out as you walk up to the location to be treated. Instead, unreel hose in 10’ sections making 2 or 3 loops, then pull it to the location needed. As you treat, pick-up loops of hose. When its time to reel the hose back up, carry the loops of hose back to the vehicle and then roll it back up on the reel making sure to use your hose hook.
If you use a backpack sprayer, Don’t swing the sprayer onto your back. The best way to put the sprayer on is to have someone assist us. However, since we usually work alone, this won’t always be a viable option. So, slide the backpack to the edge of the vehicle, squat down bending your knees (keeping your back straight) and slip the backpack on and then stand up using your legs muscles to lift the load..

11. Lifting Awkward Loads Test the weight. Plan your path of travel.
Get assistance.
Get close to the load.
Get a good grip.
Hug the load.
Lift straight up and with your legs.
Determine the weight of the item and your ability to handle it before taking on the lift and plan your path of travel. If the load it too large to handle by yourself get assistance – another co-worker or mechanical like a pallet jack.
Stand close to the load with your feet spread apart about shoulder width with one foot slightly in front of the other for balance.
Get a firm grasp of the object before beginning the lift.
Keep the object as close to the body as possible..
Begin slowly lifting with your LEGS by straightening them.

12. Summary Plan ahead. Do not try to lift objects beyond your capability.
Position yourself close to the load.
Squat, grasp firmly and lift with your legs.
Keep the object close to the body
Carry the load between the shoulder and waist
Plan ahead what you want to do. For example check the weight of the object, is it packaged correctly to avoid movement, and check your route for obstacles, slippery or uneven surfaces etc.
Don’t try to lift objects beyond your capabilities. If you have to strain to lift or carry a load, then it is too heavy for you. Get someone to help, or use a forklift, dolly or hand truck to move the load.
Stand close to the load with your feet slightly staggered and spread apart to about shoulder width.
Squat by bending your knees, firmly grasp the object and begin slowly lifting with your legs. Never twist your body during this step. If you must turn while carrying the load, turn using your feet - not your torso.
Keep the object as close to the body as possible. The further away the object is from your body the more stress there is to the lumbar area of the back.
Carry the load in the space between your shoulder and your waist. This puts less stain on your back muscles.
And finally – remember It takes no more time to do a safe lift than to do an unsafe lift, so play it safe and lift it right!
Remember –
It takes no more time to do a safe lift than to do an unsafe lift, so play it safe and lift it right!

13. 1. Common causes of back injuries include:
Twisting
Reaching and lifting
Slips, Trips and Falls
All the above
2. Tips to maintaining a healthy back include:
Exercise and proper posture
Smoking and healthy weight
Healthy weight
Both A & C
3. T or F It is best to avoid twisting at the waist when carrying or lifting a load.
4. T or F Lifting safely includes making sure the location and your path of travel are free of obstructions?
5. T or F To avoid the potential strain injuries, avoid reaching and lifting simultaneously?
Test Questions
Common causes of back injuries include:
Twisting
Reaching and lifting
Slips, Trips and Falls
All the above
Tips to maintaining a healthy back include:
Exercise and proper posture
Smoking and healthy weight
Healthy weight
Both A & C
T or F It is best to avoid twisting at the waist when carrying or lifting a load.
T or F Lifting safely includes making sure the location and your path of travel are free of obstructions?
T or F To avoid the potential strain injuries, avoid reaching and lifting simultaneously?