Recently an employee was injured while carrying and passing metal panels to coworkers.
We all know that a lot of the work that we perform involves carrying heavy But hold up! We need to talk about something crucial – your safety while handling those loads.
Carrying heavy stuff or awkward to handle stuff can be tough on your body, and we want to make sure you stay injury-free. So here are some valuable tips just for you:
Lift Right: You rarely carry something that you don’t lift first. So always remember lift right. Use your legs, not your back, when lifting heavy objects. Bend those knees, keep your back straight, and hug the load close to your body.
Use Mechanical Help: If something’s too heavy to handle solo, don’t hesitate to use mechanical aids like forklifts, hand trucks, or wheelbarrows. They’re like your trusty sidekicks, helping you out when you need it most.
Keep it Tidy: That’s right, although we are talking about preventing injuries while carrying objects, the reality is that good jobsite housekeeping minimizes slip/trip hazards and that’s important when you are carrying something heavy or awkward to handle.
Keep it Top of Mind: Past safety talks have discussed back injury prevention, stretching and other topic relative to preventing injuries while carrying and we will keep addressing these topics until we eliminate injuries associated with lifting and carrying things on the job. Our goal is not only to arm you with the training that you need to prevent injuries, but also to keep this very common hazard top-of-mind.
Team Up: We’ve got a great crew and we work well together. So don’t forget that you are part of a team. If something’s too heavy, ask your coworkers to lend a hand. You are not doing anyone a favor if you try to carry something on your own that should have been carrying by 2 people if doing so result in you getting missing work. In fact, that would actually make things harder for the rest of the crew.
Know Your Limits: We all have limits. Don’t be shy to know yours and stick to them. No need to be a one-person superhero!
Stretch it Out: Start your day with some warm-up stretches to get your muscles ready for action. After work, give yourself a cool-down stretch session – your body will thank you!
Speak Up: If you feel any discomfort or pain while carrying objects, don’t stay quiet about it. Let your supervisor know. One of his responsibilities is to keep everyone on the crew safe and healthy.
Be Your Brother’s Keeper: Do whatever you can to create a culture where safety comes first, look out for one another, and where we speak up about any concerns, so that we all go home injury free every day.