Do you work in an environment where lifting heavy objects is part of your day-to-day life? This may hold true if you work in a warehouse setting or in the construction industry.
While most are familiar with proper lifting technique, such as lifting with their legs, not everyone knows the things they should avoid in order to remain safe.
Here are a few things you should never do when lifting a heavy object:
— Do not bend forward and then lift. Instead, bend your knees and hips, squat down to the appropriate height and straighten your legs as you lift.
— Never lift a heavy object higher than shoulder level.
— Resist the urge to turn your body when holding or lifting a heavy object.
Unfortunately, if you do any of these things when lifting a heavy object, it could lead to a serious injury.
If your company offers courses on proper lifting or equipment to help you better do your job, take full advantage. You never know when you’ll come across something that can help protect your health.
In the event of a lifting-related injury, don’t wait to receive medical attention. You could have suffered a serious back or neck injury that requires immediate treatment.
Once you know your injury and the right treatment strategy, make sure your employer is aware of what happened. From there, you have the right to file a claim for ‘ benefits if you’re going to be out of work for an extended period of time.
After filing a claim, wait to receive an approval or denial letter. If you are denied benefits for any reason, find out why and then file an appeal with the help of an experienced attorney. You have legal rights and they need to be protected.
Source: Web MD, “Proper Lifting Technique,” accessed May 12, 2017
