Ergonomics and Manual Lifting
Ergonomics, or human engineering, is the science of designing the job to fit the worker.
Every year in the U.S. over 1,000 workers get serious strains and sprains, as well as other types of back injuries when lifting, carrying or lowering heavy objects which is common on the rig but should be minimized as much as possible.
Most back injuries are caused by ignoring basic safe lifting techniques.
Follow these guidelines when lifting:
- Assume a squatting position. Keep the object to be lifted close to the body and raise the object by straightening the legs.
- Estimate the weight of the object before lifting. If the object is too heavy, be sure to get help.
- Make sure your footing is secure.
- Keep the back straight when lifting any object, light or heavy. Lift with the legs, not the back.
- Take advantage of skids, hoist, bars, jacks, blocking, rollers, or hand trucks when necessary.
- Never twist when lifting, carrying, or lowering an object. Twisting greatly increases the chance of being injured.
- The recommended maximum weight to safely lift for one person is about 50 lbs.
More information may be found in OSHAcademy Courses 711 Introduction to Ergonomics and 722 Ergonomics Program Management.
Knowledge Check Choose the best answer for the question.
6-7. Which of the following actions greatly increases the chance of being injured when handling heavy objects?
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