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How To Prevent Work-Related Physical Injuries

A recent study shows that manual handling accidents cost businesses around $1100 per employee in compensation claims and medical expenses. The above injuries can result in lost productivity and absenteeism and lead to long-term disability. 

Our collaborative blog offers the tips below to help you improve work-related physical injuries

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Prevent Work-Related Physical Injuries

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If your work requires a lot of physical activity, you have probably heard of manual handling involving various activities such as carrying heavy objects, pushing, and lowering. For several reasons, proper manual handling techniques are essential for businesses.  These reasons include reducing the likelihood of staff experiencing musculoskeletal disorders (MSDS) such as back pain, neck pain, and shoulder injuries, which can result in lost productivity and absenteeism and lead to long-term disability. A recent study shows that manual handling accidents cost businesses around $1100 per employee in compensation claims and medical expenses.

Follow these tips to improve manual handling in your small business:

Use Proper Body Mechanics

It’s vital to keep your back straight and bend at the knees when lifting or carrying objects rather than bending at the waist. This way, you keep the load close to your body while your back is straight, making lifting easier. Poor form or posture can cause discomfort in the neck, shoulders, arms, and back and excessive strain on your muscles, bones, and joints. Failing to learn or train your employees on proper lifting can put them in danger of severe back and joint injuries. Fortunately, there is always time to follow excellent posture by learning ideal body mechanics for standing, sitting, and lifting.

Know Your Limits 

Learning your handling weight restrictions and using the proper manual handling procedures are critical for your safety. Experts recommend a limit of 25kg for men carrying weights close to the body at work. For weights held at arm’s length and or above shoulder height, this is reduced to 5kg. In less technical terms, 25kg is approximately three times the bowling ball weight or six times the weight of a regular cat. Note that 25 kilograms equal about 55.1 pounds. Avoid lifting or carrying objects that are too heavy for you. In cases where you can’t avoid it, ask for help or use mechanical aids such as a dolly or a hand truck. 

Use Appropriate Tools and Equipment

If you are lifting or carrying heavy objects, use tools such as a dolly or hand truck to help you. These tools can significantly reduce the strain on your body and make the task much more manageable. Some workplaces or sites include working at heights or moving products around. These activities necessitate the use of good lifting equipment. Fortunately, there are several options. 

For instance, a forklift can be great equipment for a warehouse business to handle its freight. However, forklift works hand in hand with pallets, so you may also reach out to a pallet manufacturing company if you want quality and cost-effective ones to enhance your freight handling further.

Take Breaks and Stretch 

If you are lifting or carrying objects for an extended period, you must take breaks and stretch your muscles. These breaks and stretches can help prevent fatigue and reduce the risk of injury. Forceful movements, repeated motions, unnatural postures, and a lack of rest are all risk factors for ergonomic injury. Rest intervals allow the body to recuperate from work, while break time routines and stretches strengthen it. Just as athletes would only compete with sufficient rest and warm-up, you should also keep that in mind as a worker to guide you while on the job. 

In Conclusion: Prevent Work-Related Physical Injuries

Your staff is your everything for running a successful business in day-to-day operations. Their safety is to be a primary concern. Accordingly, your staff will thrive, and your business will prosper.

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Sales Tips: Prevent Work-RelatedPhysical Injuries

1. Host an employee meeting to request suggestions to prevent work-related physical injuries.
2. Capture all ideas in a list to sort out later.
3. Have employees prioritize the most concerning issues to address immediately.
4. After the meeting, review the ease of implementing safety guards per the suggestions.
5. Attach approximate costs to each suggestion to later verify and prioritize.
6. Check with your legal team or consultant which are to be a top priority for a fix.
7. Research the latest possibilities for better solutions.
8. Create a timeline for implementing all the prevention measures.
9. Upon making a change, check back with the team to ensure it meets their satisfaction.
10. Celebrate Success!