Hazards include:
Back injuries, muscle strains, cuts and scratches, chemical spills, building fires and even death.
Smart Safety Rules
- Before lifting, stand close to the load with your feet should width apart.
- Bend at your knees to lift material, not at your waist.
- Ensure you have a first grasp on the load before lifting.
- When holding a load, keep it as close to your body as possible.
- Do no twist while carrying a load; turn by shifting your feet or taking short steps.
- When piling materials in stacks, ensure the stack will stand steady. Serious injury can result from pile falls.
- When two or more workers carry an object together, they should be about the same weight.
DO
- Lift cartons and boxes by grasping the opposite top and bottom corners, and draw a corner between your legs before lifting.
- Carry long pieces of pipe, bar stock or lumber over a padded shoulder with the front end held high to avoid hitting other people or objects.
- Use special caution when carrying loads around corners.
- Protect your hands by wearing gloves when handling materials.
- Lift loads with your legs to prevent back injury.
- Ensure there are no slip or trip hazards in the area where you will be carrying a load.
- Wear non-slippery, thick work shoes when carrying materials.
DON'T
- Bend at the waist when lifting materials.
- Lift materials by yourself that are so bulky they cannot be properly grasped or lifted.
- Twist your body when carrying a load. Turn by shifting your feet or with short steps.
- Pile materials in stacks that are so high they are unsteady.
Discussion Questions:
- How much distance should your materials have from a sprinkler head?
- How can you avoid hitting other people or objects when carrying long materials over your shoulder?
- What guidelines are important to remember when lifting loads?
- What is the best way to carry cartons and boxes?