How to lift safely?

Question

Looking for a copy of SOP for lifting safely.

Answer 1

hey i found a site, i hope it helps

Answer 2

Page 1
Safe Operating Procedure
(11/03)
GENERAL MATERIAL HANDLING / SAFE LIFTING
______________________________________________________________________
(For assistance, please contact EHS at [phone], or visit our web site at http://ehs.unl.edu/)
To prevent back injuries, use correct procedures for lifting and get help whenever
necessary, as described in this SOP.
Maximum Comfort Zone
Handle boxes and materials within the maximum comfort zone, which
is roughly the area just below the shoulders and just above the knees.
Repeatedly lifting or carrying objects above shoulder height can put
unnecessary strain on the neck and shoulders. Moving objects that are
low to the ground (such as the bottom shelf of a storage rack) can put
strain on the lower back.
Plan the Lift
Lifting an object from the ground is more stressful than lifting the same object from
several inches off the ground. When possible, store objects on platforms (i.e., shelves
or pallets) that raise them off the ground. Starting positions that are at a level between
the knee and waist are the least stressful to the back.
•
•
•
•
Face the load squarely, keep back straight, and use legs to lift. Feet should be
about shoulder width apart to provide a stable stance.
Never lift and twist. This action is hard on the back.
Use carts or mechanical lifting devices to prevent excessive lifting.
The load should be lifted and carried as close to the body as possible. When the
load is not carried close, the body is positioned out of alignment and more strain is
put on the lower back.
UNL Environmental Health and Safety · [phone] · http://ehs.unl.edu
Page 2
UNL Environmental Health and Safety · [phone] · http://ehs.unl.edu
•
•
•
•
This may require bringing the object to the edge of the shelf or pallet in
preparation for the lift. Do not reach over other objects.
Plan the placement/delivery. Once the object reaches its final destination, be sure
to set it down in the same manner of lifting it: do not bend at the waist, keep the
object close to body, and maintain a wide stance.
To prevent overuse injuries, pay attention to pain, numbness and/or tingling and take
action to prevent further strain or injury. Have a co-worker observe the lifting technique
to see if there are position changes that can be made. Change the routine: do not
repeat the same activity over and over, but alternate it with other activities. In some
situations, there may be equipment or tools available that will reduce physical stress.
Reducing Push/Pull Forces
Pushing and pulling are common material handling tasks performed in just about any
work environment, from factory floors to offices to field installations. Below are three
simple approaches to reducing the force required to push or pull when using a wheeled
device:
Lighten the load. This seems obvious, but sometimes making more trips with a
lighter load makes sense, particularly when you are pushing and pulling up an
incline, such as when loading a trailer.
Maintain your casters (wheels). Wear and tear on the casters can greatly
increase push/pull force. Periodically check your casters to ensure that they are
moving and turning freely.
Select different casters. There are numerous sizes and materials available for
casters. Selecting the right type can have a huge effect on push/pull force.