Lifting techniques ergonomics

Corporations are feeing stricter regulations regarding the workplace environment. Safety and injury prevention are key to keeping productivity optimal. In a process called ergonomic assessment, equipment and workstations are biomechanicaUy assessed, and adjustments are made that will limit acute or chronic injuries. Employees also receive instruction on the proper procedures to foUow, such as lifting techniques. Industry procedures need to be in place and diligently followed to protect both employees and the company. 

Back injuries are also caused by improper lifting and ergonomically incorrect office chairs. To avoid these injuries, employees should be instructed in proper lifting techniques and provided with ergonomically correct office equipment. 

Alavosius, M.P. Sulzer-Azaroff, B., An on-the-job method to evaluate patient lifting technique. Applied Ergonomics, 1985, 16, pp. 307-311. 

Education on the back and proper body mechanics Recurring training on patient transfer techniques Exercise routines for those involved in lifting Formation and required use of lifting teams Ergonomic evaluations to detect problem areas Effective housekeeping procedures Lift and patient assist equipment... 

The ergonomic guidelines stress administrative controls, like training employees in proper work techniques to avoid repetitive motions, vibrations, improper lifting, etc., and engineering controls, like implementing the use of equipment to perform tasks, or redesigning job tasks, work areas, and procedures to be performed. 

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