PHYSICAL PLANT SAFETY MANUAL

Safety Manual
1st Page

Introduction to Safety

General Work Habits

Clothing & Personal Protective Equipment

Work Area Houskeeping

Asbestos

Hand & Power Tools

Equipment & Machinery

Tag-Out Procedure

Fire Protection

Welding

Compressed Gas Cylinders

Electrical

Construction

Ladders & Scaffolding

Back Safety

Lifting

Vehicle Safety

Work Area Safety Awareness

Emergency Procedures

Off-the-Job Safety

Safety Equipment

Employee Statement

Updated July 2002

Back Safety

According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, more than one million workers suffer back injuries each year, and back injuries account for one of every five workplace injuries.

The amount of force placed on your back under certain conditions can be surprising.   Anytime you bend or lean over to pick something up without bending your knees, you put tremendous pressure on your lower back.

Think of your back as a lever.  With the fulcrum in the center of the lever, it only takes ten pounds of pressure to lift a ten pound object.

However, if you shift the fulcrum to one side, it takes much more force to lift the same object.   Your waist actually acts like the fulcrum in a lever system, and it is not centered.  In fact, it operates on a 10:1 ratio.  Lifting a ten pound object actually puts 100 pounds of pressure on your lower back.

When you add in the 105 pounds of the average human upper torso, you see that lifting a ten pound object actually puts 1,150 pounds of pressure on the lower back.

Given these figures, it is easy to see how repetitive lifing and bending can quickly cause back problems.  Even leaning forward while sitting at a desk or table can eventually lead to back-related problems.

Avoid Lifting and Bending Whenever You Can!

Place objects up off the floor.  If you can set something down on a table or other elevated surface instead of on the floor, you won't have to reach down to pick it up again.

Raise/lower shelves.  The best zone for lifting is between your shoulders and your waist.  Put heavier objects on shelves at waist level and lighter objects on lower or higher shelves.

Use carts and dollys to move objects instead of carrying them yourself.   (It is better on your back to push carts than it is to pull them.)

Use cranes, hoists, lift tables and other lift-assist devices whenever you can.

Avoid lifting over your head, and avoid reaching across a table or out the back of a truck.

Avoid working in awkward, uncomfortable positions on tasks that require you to bend over for long periods of time (i.e., gardening).  Also avoid sitting or standing for too long without shifting.