SAFE LIFTING


SAFE LIFTING
Welcome, this is Goke Akingbade(your Safety Guide). Today we will be discussing about how to lift heavy objects safely or what is known as Back safety. Firstly , we need to get to know about our backs.
KNOWING ABOUT YOUR BACK.                                                                                                                                               Your back is made up of vertebrae, discs, nerves and muscles. Vertebrae refers to small bones joined together to make up the spinal cord.
The basic functions of the spine are:                                                                                                              (1).Providing support.                                                                                                                                                (2).Protecting the spinal cord.                                                                                                                                       (3).Providing flexibility to allow bending and rolling. Your spinal cord is the main information highway for your entire body. Due to the fact that your spinal cord is a delicate structure, when you strain, sprain or injure your back, you will experience pain.
CAUSES OF BACK PAIN
(1)Poor posture.                                                                                                                                                                        (2) Poor physical condition or being out of shape.                                                                                                            (3) Incorrect lifting of an object.                                                                                                                                        (4) Tension and stress.                                                                                                                                                             (5) Impact trauma.                                                                                                                                                          (6)Repetitive trauma.                                                                                                                                                           (7) Aging and Disease.
HOW TO LIFT SAFELY.                                                                                                                                                             (a) Assess the situation:-Before lifting and carrying a heavy object, take a few moments to assess the situation.                                                                                                                                                                                             (b) Size up the load:- test the weight by lifting a corner of the object. If it is to heavy or an odd shape, stop and ask for help. You can also make use of a mechanical lifting device (e.g dolly, trolley etc).                        The key to lifting safely is to always ensure that you keep your back straight or slightly arched. Never use your back to lift a load.
LIFTING THE LOAD                                                                                                                                                                 (a) Start the lift by putting your feet close to the object.                                                                                             (b) Center your body over your feet.                                                                                                                                      (c) Squat down like a professional weight lifter by bending your knees. Keep your back straight. Ensure that it is your legs doing the lifting and not your back. (d) Grasp the load securely with your hands and pull the load close to you. (e) Smoothly lift straight up, don’t ever twist your body while lifting. Keep your head up, as if looking straight and not down.
Next time we will discuss on how to carry the load and putting it down. Till I come your way again, this is Goke Akingbade(your Safety Guide)

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