Author: S. Dee Jepsen & Jeffery Suchy
Date: November 12, 2015
Link: https://ohioline.osu.edu/factsheet/aex-7908
Lifting, pulling, or pushing heavy objects can cause serious injuries, most often to the back. Due to the nature of their work, farmers and gardeners often rely on strenuous manual labor to complete daily tasks. Learning how to lift, pull or push a heavy object is very important to prevent injuries and reduce costly down time.
Guidelines for Safe Lifting
- Get a good grip. Grasp the load firmly. Use gloves if they allow for a better grip.
- Get a good footing. Center your body weight to provide a powerful line of thrust and good balance.
- Use a proper lifting position. Lift with your knees and legs, not with your back.
- Keep it close. Grasp the load firmly and lift it toward your belt buckle. Hold the load close to your body to avoid putting pressure on your back.
- Lift smoothly. Raise, carry and lower the load smoothly. Never try to pick up or lower a load too fast.
- Avoid twisting. If turning is required while lifting or carrying a load, move your feet to turn your body instead of twisting at the waist.
- Push. Push rather than pull the load. Pulling a load strains your back.
Analysis:
In my research, I spoke with multiple curbside fulfillment workers, and many of them mentioned the fact that by the end of their workday, their backs hurt from picking up heavy grocery items. I wanted to look into ways in which my design could help reduce said pain. I started doing research looking at ways of performing safe lifts, which gave me ideas of ways grocery stores could train their employees differently to pick up large items, but it also gave me ideas on products that could help the workers as well.
