Back and Lifting Safety

29CFR 1926.20(b)-Accident
Reduction, 29CFR 1926.21-
Safety Training & Education
 Objective
Personnel shall be able to:

1. Explain how to prevent back injury

2. Explain material handling techniques

3. Show how to lift objects properly

4. Explain disadvantages of using back belts.

Preventing Back Injury

1. Exercise
2. Lose Weight
3. Good Posture
4. Plan the Lift
5. Get Help if Needed
Material Handling Techniques

1. Mental Lifting - Size up the Load

2. Get Help -Team Lift

3. No Help? - Push, Don’t Pull

How to Lift Properly

1. Position Yourself Correctly in

Front of the Load

2. Lift with Your Legs Not Your

Back

3. Set the Load Down Correctly

Disadvantages of Back Belts
According to NIOSH, back belts should not be
considered as personal protective equipment and
should not be recommended for use in occupational
situations because their use:
1. May produce some strain on the cardiovascular
system
2. Limits mobility and may reduce suppleness and
elasticity of muscles and tendons, potentially
contributing to back injury
3. May create false sense of security, increasing the
risk of lifting excessive loads
Assessment

Take a few moments to complete

the assessment.
 Assessment - Key 1
1. False
Preventing a back injury is much easier than repairing one

2. False
Most back pain arises from using your back improperly

3. _X_ Exercise regularly

_X_ Lose Weight
_X_ Correct, Straight Posture
 Assessment - Key 2
4.__ Get two strong guys to move it
__ Move the object twice, once in the head and once
actually moving it
__ Ask for help

5. True

6. False
The further the load is from the centerline of your body,
the greater the strain imposed on your back. If need be,
squat down bending your knees (not your back and
stomach).
 Assessment - Key 3
7. True

8. False

9. False
No evidence has so far been found to support the
claim that wearing back belts improves one's back
safety.

10.True
With these recommendations in mind, the Company warns users
and potential users of any kind of back belts about the potential
health risks that could result from wearing these devices.