How to lift a heavy load without injury?

In this article, we present you with the essential information in order to lift a heavy load without injury.

How to lift a heavy load without getting hurt?

Lifting a heavy load presents many risks and can cause or aggravate musculoskeletal disorders. This is why it is necessary to put in place means to ensure one’s safety and to avoid injury or developing occupational diseases.

Organize your work

Before moving a load, first think about reorganizing your working method to include gestures and postures adapted to your activity.

• Organize all your trips
• If possible, alternate tasks with your colleagues
• Carry heavy loads in pairs to balance the weight
• Warm up the joints and muscles of the back in particular
• Remember to take breaks
• Use material handling tools
• Apply the appropriate gestures and postures

Apply simple rules to have good posture

A work accident can happen very quickly so here are some simple actions to apply in order to carry loads correctly:

• Keep your back straight throughout the charging port
• Use your legs by positioning them above the load
• Place yourself in front of the load
• Take your support to achieve a balance
• Bend your knees
• Firmly hold the charge
• Carry the load close to the body to distribute the weight and pressure on your back

Now you can move the loads without hurting yourself! You can also ask to fit out your workstation and be prescribed back belts or other medical devices.

Avoid certain positions

Some positions can be dangerous for the back, lumbar, cervical, vertebrae, joints …:

• Curved, hollowed back
• Upper body torsion
• Carrying a load on one side only
• Kneeling too low

Why is it important to lift a heavy load correctly?

Lifting heavy loads correctly is important first and foremost for your health, safety and that of others. It is therefore advisable to use lifting and handling aids.

In order to improve working conditions, there is a weight limit to be respected:

In which sectors of activity are heavy loads lifted?

The manual handling of heavy loads exists in many sectors of activity such as:

• Companies with merchandise to manage
• Construction (Building and Public Works)
• Moving
• Or in the carrying of loads of everyday life

The employer must protect the health and safety of its employees at work. In order to facilitate complex tasks, you need to use the right techniques and tools. Manut-LM offers solutions and products tailored to your business. To learn more, check out our products on our website.

You now know how to lift a heavy load without injuring yourself, all you have to do is put in place the right actions on a daily basis. If you want to equip yourself or learn more about our solutions, do not hesitate to contact us!