A CHILD KNOWS SAFETY BETTER THAN ADULT!

Hello People of the World! ...It’s the first time I wrote an article in a computer… YAY ME..:)

It’s 11.05 p.m. in the night (yawn), and I’ve noticed that everytime I ‘google’ in the laptop on topics regarding safety and health, most of the sites are from the U.S, the U.K and Australia. It’s a good idea for us because this blog provides an opportunity for students to express their opinions about the areas in respect of OSH increasingly important in this country.

Okay, enough of that…Today, we are going to talk on lifting safety. Lifting is a part of manual material handling (MMH), which by definition, involving the use of the human body to lift, lower, fill, empty, or carry loads. We have learned that safety and health is important but we still manage to ignore it in our daily life. Therefore, I have discovered a video that even a CHILD implements safety in their daily life. SERIOUSLY!

So, NOW YOU BELIEVE ME? As we grow older, we tend to get lazy and thus, creating damages to our back when handling a material. The proper lifting safety is important. Unsafe lifting of heavy objects can permanently destroy your back. Inappropriate lifting can also cause strain on your knees and ankles. Back injuries can be life changing.

Just follow these PRINCIPLES OF SAFE LIFTING to avoid your back from injury;

1. Stop and think - Plan the lift

a. Does it need to be carried? Where is it going? Is it heavy? Does it need more than one person? Are you dressed for the job?

2. Lifting technique

a. Place feet apart

b. Placing one leg forward will improve balance and control

c. Try sliding the load towards you first if you have to stretch

d. Bend your knees NOT your back

e. Keep shoulders level and in line with your hips

f. Avoid jerking movements

g. Lift head then your back

h. Grip with your palms

i. Keep arms close to your body

3. Moving the load

a. Keep the load close to the body

b. When pulling or pushing use your body weight to move the load

c. Avoid twisting your body when turning

Most back injuries are irreversible so any damage caused by failing to use lifting safety techniques will most likely be permanent. If you follow the lifting safety guidelines you will help keep you back in good shape well into old age.