{"id":709,"date":"2017-12-10T14:57:13","date_gmt":"2017-12-10T20:57:13","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/wp.stolaf.edu\/ehs\/?page_id=709"},"modified":"2023-06-07T08:17:04","modified_gmt":"2023-06-07T13:17:04","slug":"safe-materials-handling","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/wp.stolaf.edu\/ehs\/safe-materials-handling\/","title":{"rendered":"Safe Materials Handling"},"content":{"rendered":"

(the following is taken from Stanford University EHS Ergonomics Website<\/a>)<\/p>\n

Before lifting or moving an object, assess the situation by asking the following questions:<\/strong><\/h6>\n
    \n
  • Is there equipment you can use to move the object (e.g. a hoist or hand truck)?\n
      \n
    • If yes, use available equipment to safely move it.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n
    • Is the object too heavy to lift by yourself?\n
        \n
      • Lift one of the corners to assess the object\u2019s weight.<\/li>\n
      • Determine if the object can be disassembled into smaller, more manageable parts.<\/li>\n
      • Recruit additional people to help you if necessary.<\/li>\n
      • When in doubt, don\u2019t lift it\u00a0without assistance.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n
      • Is the object too awkward to carry?\n
          \n
        • If yes, don\u2019t\u00a0lift it\u00a0without assistance.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n
        • How far do you have to carry the object?\n
            \n
          • If you have to carry loads for a long distance, seek assistance.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n
          • Is your carrying path\u00a0free of debris, obstacles, and stairs? Is the surface of the path safe (i.e. not slippery)?\n
              \n
            • Don\u2019t\u00a0try to carry loads across unsafe distances.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n
            • Will your view be obstructed while carrying the object?\n
                \n
              • Don\u2019t\u00a0attempt to carry loads if you cannot see where you are going.<\/li>\n
              • Use proper lifting technique.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n

                \u200bIf lifting by hand, use the \u201cpower position:\u201d<\/strong><\/p>\n

                  \n
                • Stand with your feet approximately shoulder width apart, with\u00a0one foot slightly in front of the other.<\/li>\n
                • Bend your knees slightly.\u00a0Press your chest forward\u00a0while maintaining your spine\u2019s\u00a0neutral curvature.\u00a0Keep your head up.<\/li>\n
                • Get a good grip on the object.<\/li>\n
                • Contract the abdominal muscles\u00a0and hold the object close to your body.<\/li>\n
                • Use your legs \u2014\u00a0not your back \u2014\u00a0to lift.<\/li>\n
                • Lift the object with a smooth\u00a0movement (i.e. without jerking your body).<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n

                  \"\"<\/p>\n

                  Carrying the object:<\/strong><\/p>\n

                    \n
                  • Avoid twisting movements. Use your legs to turn (not your back).<\/li>\n
                  • Hold the object close to your body, at waist level.<\/li>\n
                  • If necessary, set the object down to rest.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n

                    Lowering the object:<\/strong><\/p>\n

                      \n
                    • Contract your abdominal muscles\u00a0while maintaining\u00a0a neutral curve in your\u00a0spine.<\/li>\n
                    • Hold the object close to the body.<\/li>\n
                    • While looking forward, bend your knees and slowly lower the object.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n

                      Additional tips:<\/strong><\/p>\n

                        \n
                      • Take frequent breaks to interrupt repetitive lifting, mix in tasks that do not involve lifting, and take breaks to stretch.<\/li>\n
                      • Use a stool or ladder to reach loads\u00a0above your shoulders. Get as close to the load as possible\u00a0before\u00a0sliding\u00a0it\u00a0towards you. Work with your arms and legs \u2014\u00a0not your back.<\/li>\n
                      • Take extra care with loads under racks or cabinets. Pull the load towards you, try to support the load on one knee before you lift, and\u00a0use your legs to power the lift.<\/li>\n
                      • Slide objects instead of lifting and carrying them.<\/li>\n
                      • Push objects instead of pulling them.<\/li>\n
                      • Plan tasks ahead of time to limit lifting and moving.<\/li>\n
                      • Use hand trucks and push carts to assist with moving objects. For extremely heavy items, call on an authorized forklift operator.<\/li>\n
                      • Design your workstation to avoid excessive bending, twisting, and stretching. Use tool supports for prolonged tool use.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n

                        <\/p>\n<\/div>","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

                        (the following is taken from Stanford University EHS Ergonomics Website) Before lifting or moving an object, assess the situation by asking the following questions: Is there equipment you can use […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":156,"featured_media":0,"parent":0,"menu_order":0,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","template":"page-templates\/page-panels-beside-sidebar.php","meta":{"_acf_changed":false,"footnotes":""},"class_list":["post-709","page","type-page","status-publish","hentry"],"acf":[],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/wp.stolaf.edu\/ehs\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/709","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/wp.stolaf.edu\/ehs\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/wp.stolaf.edu\/ehs\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/page"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/wp.stolaf.edu\/ehs\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/156"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/wp.stolaf.edu\/ehs\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=709"}],"version-history":[{"count":5,"href":"https:\/\/wp.stolaf.edu\/ehs\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/709\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":1181,"href":"https:\/\/wp.stolaf.edu\/ehs\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/709\/revisions\/1181"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/wp.stolaf.edu\/ehs\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=709"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}