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Sometimes we have to move heavy items from one side of an office to another. Before you
lift a finger there are a few things you need to know.
One, you're more important than the stuff you're about to move. If you feel uncomfortable
for any reason don't lift a finger. Back injuries are the #1 workplace safety problem in the
US. Your boss would much rather have you safe and healthy, than have you miss work with
an aching back. Before you do attempt to move anything, concentrate
on your posture. Whether you're standing or sitting, the recipe stays the same. Keep your
head up and you're your shoulders back. This will prepare you for your next big lift. When
sitting, remember the 90 degree rule, keeping your arms bent at a right angle and your head
around two feet away from your monitor. Now that you're ready to lift, let's talk
style. There's two ways to do it: The right way and the wrong way. Let's star first with
the most dangerous way to pick up an item. Most adults try to leverage their backs when
lifting furniture or boxes. This puts undue strain on your muscles and could lead to injury.
Instead lift as a child would lift. Kids naturally bend their knees when attempting to pick up
items on the floor. They then use their leg muscles, along with a straight back to raise
themselves off the ground. As we get older, we tend to get lazy, relying more on leverage
from our back than our abdominal muscles to raise ourselves up and down. This can help
contribute to chronic back pain problems later in life.
Once you do lift the item off the ground, keep it directly in front of you, preventing
it from hanging too low or rising to high above your waist. Keeping it in this general
area helps insure that your body stays naturally balanced without straining your back.
Another thing that can prevent you from sustaining an injury involves one of these (map). Map
out the route to your destination to reduce the amount of time you spend hauling items
around the office. If you don't feel that you're up for carrying
a heavy load, you can also divvy up the items into smaller, easier to carry loads.
When you reach your destination, try to find a safe place to put leave your payload. Think
about how easy the items will be to pick up later. Instead of setting your stuff on the
floor, try to leave it on a raised level. Also, make sure it's accessible, no matter
a person's height. Having to raise up for a heavy item can cause strain on the back
and may throw off a person's balance. My final piece of lifting advice involves
teamwork. Start a lifting team at your office. Train a select group of volunteers to receive
proper lifting training and allow them to move the heavier items in your work area.
That will limit the risk exposure of your fellow employees.
It takes repetition to fix a bad habit. Keeping these few tips in mind could keep your back
feeling good and your fellow office workers safe.