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Twenty five percent of injuries in
construction are back injuries.
Construction has the highest rate of back injuries of any industry,
except transportation. Most of the back
problems are low-back injuries. Repeated
injury to your back can cause permanent damage and end your career.
THE HAZARDS
Most back injuries are sprains and
strains from lifting, lowering, carrying, pushing, and pulling materials. You are at risk of low-back injury if you
must twist while carrying heavy loads; work bent over continuously, or stays in
other awkward postures.
PROTECT YOURSELF
Planning, changing how work is done, and
training workers and supervisors can reduce injuries.
PLAN
·
Warm-up exercises before work can help reduce muscle injuries.
·
Cut down on carrying. Have materials delivered close to where they
will be used.
·
Try to store materials at waist height.
·
Raise your work to waist level, if you can. Pipe fitters use pipe stands. Masons have
adjustable scaffolds to keep the work at waist height.
·
Make sure floors and walkways are clear and dry. Slips and trips are a big cause of back
injuries.
·
Take rest breaks. When you are tired, you are more prone to injury.
GET HELP
·
Use carts, dollies, forklifts, and hoists to move materials — not
your back.
·
Use carrying tools with handles to get a good grip on wallboard or
other odd-shaped loads. If materials
weigh more than about 50 pounds, do not lift them by yourself. Get help from another worker or use a
cart.
MOVE CAREFULLY
·
When lifting or carrying materials, keep the load as close to your
body as you can. Try not to twist, when
lifting and lowering materials. Turn
your whole body instead.
·
Lift and lower materials in a smooth steady way. Try not to jerk the lift.
·
When you pick up materials off the ground:—Try supporting yourself
by leaning on something while lifting. —Don't bend over; instead, kneel on one
knee and pull the load upon to your knee before standing. (Wear kneepads when
you kneel.)