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SPECIAL POINTS OF INTEREST
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SAFETY BULLETIN / January - March 2006 |
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Download a .pdf copy of this bulletin
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Take Care of Your Back, and it Will Take Care of
You - by Marc Brewer, Safety Specialist
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Why do so many people
have back problems? Most back problems are
related to your spine. Your spine is made up of
many small bones called vertebrae. These
vertebrae are “spaced” by spinal disks that act
as shock absorbers to cushion and separate your
vertebrae. Your spine serves not only to help
you sit or stand upright, but also to protect
your spinal cord. Your spinal cord is the main
information highway for your entire body, and is
composed of millions of nerves. Because your
spine is a delicate structure, you will
experience pain whenever you strain, sprain, or
in someway injure your back.
One cause of back pain is poor posture.
Standing, sitting, or lying down incorrectly
will put strain on your spine. Your spine is
designed to operate best when it is in a
“natural S” shape. Bending this natural S out of
shape for long periods of time can often lead to
muscle fatigue and back pain. This is why you
stretch backwards when you experience back
tension. Without thinking, you are trying to
adjust your spine back to its natural S shape.
Another cause of back pain is simply being
physically out of shape. Your overall physical
condition can affect your back. If your back
muscles are weak, or if you have put on a few
pounds, your back must work harder to maintain
its shape. Also, Tight and knotted muscles which
are caused by tension and stress can cause
muscle spasms and back pain. As we age, the
muscles in our back lose their strength and
ability to function. One of the disks in your
spine can slip out of place, and press on the
nerves in your back. Osteoarthritis, a form of
arthritis, can cause back pain, as well as
kidney and prostate problems. Yet another cause
of back pain is from an impact trauma. Being in
an accident, where your spine is injured, will
produce serious back pain. Examples of impact
trauma include but are not limited to, falls,
slips, being struck by materials or equipment,
or being involved in an auto accident. The last
cause of back pain is repetitive trauma. Working
in an awkward position or lifting incorrectly
over a period of time can cause what are known
as cumulative trauma disorders (CTD’s). As you
repeat an unhealthy position or movement, small
injuries begin to add up. If you do not change
how or what you are doing, more serious injuries
can occur.
In most work situations, objects that are very
heavy are lifted and carried by machines such as
forklifts. However, there are times when you may
have to lift, adjust, or carry a heavy object.
It is at these times that you run the risk of
injuring your back. Before lifting and carrying
a heavy object, take a few moments to assess the
situation and ask yourself these question: How
far will I have to carry the load, Is the way
clear of clutter, cords, slippery areas,
overhangs, stairs, curbs, or uneven surfaces,
Will there be doors that are closed, Will the
load block your view, Can the load be
disassembled and carried in pieces? If you can
answer those questions with a safe answer then
you are off to a good start. After assessing the
situation, take a few moments to “size up the
load”. Test the weight by lifting a corner of
the object. If it is too heavy or if the object
is an odd shape, stop and ask for help or use a
hand truck or dolly. Never lift anything unless
you are sure you can do so safely.
The key to lifting safely is keeping your back
straight or slightly arched, never use your back
to lift. Start the lift by putting your feet
close to the object about shoulder width apart.
Center your body over your feet and squat down
like a professional weightlifter, bending your
knees, you want your legs doing the lifting, not
your back. Keep the load as close to your body
as possible and never twist your body while
lifting. As you carry the load keep your back
straight and walk slowly and surely. Use your
feet to change directions, never twist because
it is extremely hard on your back. Also, avoid
leaning over while carrying a load or lifting
over your head and if you become tired, set the
load down and rest for a few moments. Setting
the load down is the reverse of lifting,
position yourself where you want to set the
load, Squat down, letting your legs do the work,
not your back, and remember to keep your head
up.
If an object proves too heavy to lift by you or
even to team lift then an alternative to lifting
is using hand trucks and Pushcarts. When using a
hand truck or pushcart, remember, it is easier
and safer for your back to push than to pull. If
an object is too heavy to lift or carry with a
hand truck or load onto a pushcart then you
might want to use a forklift. Never attempt to
operate a forklift or other piece of lifting
equipment unless you have been trained and
authorized by your organization to do so.
Even if you have never had a problem with your
back you are still susceptible to back injury
and if you have had an injury before then you
are even more susceptible. Don’t wait until you
have a pain in your back to do something about
back safety there are ways to maintain a healthy
back and keeping good posture, doing back
stretches before and after work and regular
exercise are just three ways. As susceptible as
our backs are to injury it is extremely
important to do everything we can to protect
them. That is why it is important to know and
understand the causes of back pain and correct
lifting procedures which will help us to live
and work safely. |
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Please Note: the Safety
Bulletin is a complimentary quarterly newsletter
updating you on the latest news, trends, and
information. The contents of this newsletter do
not necessarily reflect the opinions of Safety
Resources, Inc. Safety Resources, Inc. makes no
warranties, either expressed or implied, about
the truth or accuracy of the content of the
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If you have a topic related to occupational
safety that you would like to see in the
newsletter please contact us. |
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