Why Safe Lifting Is Important

Safely lifting and moving materials and tools is a critical factor in worker safety. The safe lifting and carrying of materials prevents a number of injuries as well as material damage or loss.

Unsafe lifting and handling techniques leads to strain and sprain injuries, especially in the core and back. Shoulder, arm and leg muscles are also affected when improper technique is used. Over time, these injuries can lead to greater damage to the spine, hips, and shoulder joints as these structures compensate to protect the injured muscles.

Improper lifting techniques are associated with long term back injuries. These injuries prevent workers from reporting to work, and contribute to significant lost time injuries and worker’s compensation claims.

How To Safely Lift

Lifting safely starts with good planning. Ideally, workers should warm up with gentle exercise and stretching prior to lifting heavy or awkward items. Plan the work to minimize the number of lifts required. Ensure the path is clear before lifting to prevent falls. Ensure the lay-down area is ready and available prior to beginning the lift.

Test the weight of object by rocking it. Bend at the knees and hips keeping the back straight. Use handles or lifting slings where possible or required. Ensure the load is stable prior to lifting.

When To Get Help

Generally, two people can lift an object weighing up to 300lbs safely and comfortably. For each additional 100lbs of weight, or awkward and/or unstable loads, additional help is required. Long, wide, or oddly shaped loads may require extra help. Climbing stairs or changing levels may require extra assistance.

Lifting slings, handles, packaging etc may need to be removed or added to make the lift safer and easier. Dollies or wheeled assists can resolve a lot of carrying challenges over distances.

When using multiple people to lift, ensure that workers are coordinated in their effort. One person should be designated in charge to ‘call’ the lift and ensure all workers are lifting together. As much as possible, everyone should be facing forward to perform the lift.

What’s Next?

Further training is available here with a certificate at the end of the program. Palletize materials wherever you can and lift with mechanical means such as a forklift, palletjack or telehandler.

Get In Touch

KMC Safety Solutions serves the Southern Ontario manufacturing and construction sectors. We offer training, program development, gap analysis, compliance auditing and consulting services. Training is available in person or online for many programs. Contact KMC for your personalized solutions.

An understanding of hazards and tasks is the first step to working safely. It is of the utmost importance that all workers understand what could hurt them and what they need to do on the worksite. Without that basic understanding, it will be impossible for workers to stay safe.

With the advance of safety regulations comes the requirement for documentation. It’s no longer enough to simply tell the workers about a hazard. It’s no longer acceptable to assume workers know how to keep safe.

Documentation that can be referenced by workers, supervisors, employers and eventually inspectors is paramount to success. Every job hazard analysis, every safe work plan, every tool box must be recorded and available for reference if required. Traditionally, this information has been kept on paper forms in a book or binder. More advanced options included having a carbonless copy that could be sent to an office or other offsite place for storage/reference later, if it can be found.

The result of all this documentation is typically a mess. It is a significant challenge to find one specific document when it’s needed.

There is a better way. Use a dedicated safety management platform to store forms, record training, and keep on top of worker licences and certifications. Reduce the human management component of safety. Most users find a rapid improvement when automation is introduced.

Having a central, mobile application that can store your information is paramount to success. Each worker should be able to, without hesitation, have access to the health and safety policy, safe work practices, and job hazard analyses of a worksite. Safe work practices and required PPE should be immediately available.

Use a program that is easy to use, instantly updated and always working with the latest version of your forms. Choose a program that is completely customizable to your needs and your industry or trade. A good platform will keep documentation, check lists, audits, forms, as well as reference information in one place that is easy to navigate app or webpage.

The right application will meet as many of your needs and wants as possible. At KMC we don’t sell software, but we use software to make your safety program work as well as it can for you.