Any and all workplaces require workers to lift materials and sometimes, they’re lifting well over 50 pounds at a time. The Bureau of Labor Statistics reports that over 35 percent of injuries involving absenteeism was a result of either back or shoulder pain when lifting materials. Worker’s, when lifting heavy materials, should operate within their “power zone” to prevent injury and strain. Sometimes, these injuries arise not necessarily from the the weight of the item but from the awkward shape or lack-of handles to assist the worker in lifting the material.¹

These micro-learning clips are designed to help learners understand what are the causes of back injuries, how to prevent back injuries when lifting, safe lifting techniques in the workplace, how to properly lift or carry objects, how to safely lift an object below the waist and the importance of creating a lifting plan. We’ve all been taught to bend at the knees, but we need more training as it relates to safe lifting in order to protect ourselves from injury.

¹https://www.osha.gov/SLTC/etools/electricalcontractors/materials/heavy.html