Often we hear, “lift with your knees, not with your back,” but rarely is this advice taken seriously. Many employees in the workplace become victims of serious back injury due to improper lifting. Unfortunately, proper lifting does not come naturally, but fortunately it can be learned with proper practice and training.

Proper lifting consists of keeping the back straight, bending with the legs, testing the weight of the load and hugging it close to the body. It is also important to continue to keep the back straight while lifting the load and while walking. There are also certain movements that should be avoided such as twisting while lifting.

Back Injury Due to Improper Lifting

Many people attribute back pain as a sign of getting older, not to improper lifting. However, according to a survey conducted by the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), three out of every four lower back injuries reported were from improper lifting.

Another frequent problem of improper lifting is lifting a load that is too heavy. This can cause serious strain on the back. Employees should be trained on when to tell if a load is too heavy. Employees should also be trained to use machinery in cases of extremely heavy loads.

A back injury is a cumulative trauma injury. It is often result of abuse and wear to the back over time. Back injuries can lead to trauma injuries and lifting improperly over time can eventually cause serious damage.

Employers are also affected by employee back injuries. Severe back pain and injury can result in time away from the workplace. The BLS reported that there were 372,683 back injuries that resulted in missed days from work in 2001.

Back Safety Training

Many people are unaware they are lifting loads improperly and face potential back injuries. Back safety training is necessary in order for proper lifting to be taught efficiently. SafetyArc.com offers a 19-minute interactive back safety training course that discusses proper lifting techniques, leading to back injury prevention. The course can be taken from any computer with an Internet connection. Click here to learn more about SafetyArc.com’s online Back Safety training course.