Work Safety & Toe Protection

Top Lifting Tips To Prevent Workplace Injuries

If your work routine involves lifting heavy objects then you really do need to ensure that you are using the correct lifting techniques if you want to avoid injuries.  There are so many unnecessary accidents every year because people don’t know how to lift heavy objects properly.  This article provides some great tips on how to lift properly and prevent injuries in the workplace.

When lifting heavy items you need to make sure that you are using the proper technique.  You should always have your feet shoulder width apart.  You also need to center yourself and stand close to the object that you intend to lift.  Next you should bend your knees and squat down to the object.  You need to ensure that you back is kept straight and that you have your abdominal muscles tightened.

When you are ready to start lifting the object you need to make sure that you have a good grasp with both hands.  You should use your legs to lift the object.  You need to hold the object close to you as you stand up.  You should never twist your body when holding an item.  Take small steps until you are in the position you need to be in.  When you are ready to place the object down again you need to bend your knees and this should only involve using your leg muscles.

If you have to lift an object that is more than 20 pounds in weight then you should use a moving dolly.  You will still need to use both of your hands to place the object on the dolly and you should ensure that your legs are the main thing used when lifting the object into place.

For more information and guidelines you can check out the Occupational Safety and Health Association (OSHA) guidelines.

When it comes to preventing accidents in the workplace there are some dress requirements too.  Long hair should always be tied up out of the way.  Baggy clothing can also be dangerous and can easily get caught in machinery.  Safety shoes are also important and safety shoes with rubber soles can help to prevent falls and trips. These shoes can also help to keep you stabilized if you are lifting heavy objects.

Some other tips that are important for workplace health and safety include obvious things like not smoking, ensuring that hazardous materials are properly contained.

If you follow all the procedures for safe lifting in the workplace you will help to prevent any unnecessary accidents.  Correct lifting is important and it is a known fact that many of back problems and complaints that chiropractors treat could have been avoided with proper lifting techniques.

You can browse a selection of personal protective equipment products at www.oshatoes.com