Preventing back injuries at the work site Email
Tuesday, July 26, 2016 07:00 AM

Do not attempt this--ever.Heavy lifting without proper safety procedures can result in back injury; it’s the primary form of workplace injuries. One in five workplace injuries or illnesses involve a back injury. Since landscape laborers handle materials throughout the day (lifting, pulling, pushing and carrying), they are at risk for injuries if safety accommodations are not made and are not part of the company culture.

The National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH) has published a technical manual to help employers and employees determine safe weight limits for lifting. There are calculations available to determine the maximum weight that an employee can safely handle. But the best method of avoiding injury includes communication.

Make sure that your employees are aware of the risks involved in handling heavy materials and that there are precautions they can take to reduce those risks. Train employees to support each other and coach each other to follow safety guidelines that help them avoid injury.

Taking a few extra minutes to follow safety rules can prevent days of lost work and wages due to an injury. Those rules include:

  • Maintain proper posture – Do not twist or bend the back when lifting.
  • Organize the work area – Keep tools organized and have large materials close to the work area to avoid stretching too far.
  • Rotate tasks – Performing the same task, in the same position, for prolonged periods can result in repetitive stress injuries. Share the workload to help alleviate this problem.
  • Push not pull – Pushing a large load is better than trying to pull it. And using technology like carts and lifts is recommended instead of moving heavy loads manually.

OSHA’s web site has a variety of resources for identifying injury risks, maintaining a safe work environment, and training employees on the importance of safety.

Read more in this issue of Colorado Green NOW:
Environmental Designs collaborates with Wells Fargo for The ELITE Award for Sustainability
Fines from DOL agencies increase August 1
Classifying exempt vs. non-exempt employees 

The importance of a client walk-through