1. Safe Lifting Practices
Brought to you by: OESD 114
Colleen Kragen - Safety & Health Specialist
Last Revision: September 2017

2. Lifting Injury Statistics
The Bureau of Labor & Statistics 2015:
All Industries Reported Injuries: 113,260
All Industries Days Away From Work: avg. 11 days
State Government Education & Health Services: avg. 9.1
Local Government Education & Health Services: avg. 10.1

3. Lifting Injury Statistics
Overexertion injuries lifting or lowering by age group:
* Injuries in the table are a ratio of 1:10,000 full time workers

4. Plan Before You Work:
Before you begin a task take a moment to consider the circumstances:
Question
Evaluation
Does it take 1 or more people to lift?
If it does not have a weight listed test it.
Based on the item’s location, what is the best lifting method?
Is it on the ground, on a shelf (at what height), or a counter.
Are other items needed?
A step-ladder, food cart, hot pads, etc.
Is the pathway to the new location clear?
Review the path to look for hazards.
Is additional Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) needed?
Gloves (i.e. heat resistant or cut-proof), safety glasses, splash apron, etc.

5. There’s An App For That …
Sometimes it can be difficult to tell if it is safe to lift. L&I offers this:

6. One-Person Manual Lift
The Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA), “The power zone for lifting is close to the body, between mid- thigh and mid-chest height … this zone is where arms and back can lift the most with the least amount of effort.”

7. Handle Inspection
Check your handles before lifting. A broken handle or a missing screw can mean at minimum a spill or at worst burns or chemical related injuries.

8. Check Equipment
If using equipment to assist with the lift, always thoroughly check parts and pieces for damage before using.

9. Review the Path
If you are moving a large or heavy item from one location to another location, walk the path and check for hazards before you start carrying the item.

10. Good Housekeeping
A clean and well-organized workspace can make all the difference.

11. At the end of the day ...
We want you to go home and enjoy life!

12. Thank you!