Safe Lifting Procedures

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1 Safe Lifting Procedures Teacher s Edition Produced by: Blue Ridge Services, Inc. Landfill Safety Training Series

2 Instructions This teacher s edition is organized into a simple format. It includes a complete copy of the training booklets you ll give to your crew, along with some tips for helping your crew get the most out of this training program. Please take a few minutes to look over the notes and icons that are explained below: This icon indicates that some type of written input is required by your crew. This icon indicates a point where you may want to ask a question or look for comments from your crew. Text boxes contain tips or ideas on how to engage the crew or explain something. This icon indicates a point where you might want to use an example to show how this training applies to your landfill.

3 Make sure that everyone has a booklet entitled: Safe Lifting Procedures. The video script follows the booklet. Participants can follow along if they like. Safe Lifting Procedures Blue Ridge Services, Inc Hites Cove Rd Mariposa, CA Feel free to pause the video anytime you sense there is an important issue to discuss. Name Have everyone put their name on their booklet.

4 Safety is not a plan it s an attitude Printed in the United States of America World Rights Reserved This booklet or any portion thereof may not be copied or reproduced in any form, except as permitted under the United States Copyright Act of 1976, nor distributed in any form or by any means, or stored in a data base retrieval system, without the express, prior, written permission of the author. Copyright 2014 by Neal Bolton Copyrighted 2014 This book is intended to assist the reader in understanding how to work safely in a variety of situations that may occur at a landfill. It is not intended to replace common sense or judgment. The author(s) and publisher(s) of this manual shall not be held responsible in any way for the safety of those using this material for training purposes. Safe operation of every landfill is the responsibility of that facility s owner, manager, operators and laborers and other staff. Published by: Blue Ridge Services, Inc Hites Cove Rd Mariposa, CA 95338

5 Start the video. Safety is not a plan it s an attitude Introduction: The leading injury caused by poor lifting techniques is back injury. Back injuries are common at landfills and can happen to any one at any time. A 2006 study estimated that 80 percent of adults experience a back injury in their lifetime, and about 10 percent will suffer a re-injury. Most injuries are caused by simple lifting mistakes: using poor posture while lifting, or simply lifting something that is too heavy. Putting too much strain on your back increases the risk of injury. While working, you ve probably heard someone say, We need more leverage. Chances are they were trying to move something that was too heavy to budge by sheer strength alone. A lever is perhaps the most basic tool, consisting of a beam and a fulcrum. Your back is like a lever it s basic physics. How many workers at our landfill have experienced a back injury? To measure the force exerted by a lever, multiply the force x the length of the lever arm. The force is often measured in pounds and the length is simply the distance from the pivot point (the fulcrum) to where the force is applied. The result, referred to as torque, is expressed in foot-pounds (ft-lb).

6 Safety is not a plan it s an attitude Here s an example. Let s say you wanted to move a big rock one that weighs 500 pounds. Using a 6-foot pry bar, with 1 foot under the rock, how much force would you have to apply to the end of the pry bar to move the rock? The rock can apply 500 ft-lbs of torque (500 pounds x 1 foot). Since you have a 5 foot lever arm, you must apply 100 pounds force to move the rock (5 feet x 100 pounds). You may not be aware of it, but you use levers every day. Some common levers include: Hand Truck Car jack Pry bar Backhoe Wrench

7 Safety is not a plan it s an attitude Remember, your back is also a lever. Simply standing up, empty-handed from a bent position can apply a considerable force on the vertebra in your lower back up to 1,000 pounds for a 200-pound man. Lifting heavier items increases the force on the vertebra. Your spine is made up of stacked vertebra each one separated by a cushioning disk. Back injury often occurs when the pressure exerted on your vertebra forces a disk out of place. No doubt you ve heard someone refer to having a slipped disk. Now you know what it means. Most back injuries occur when someone lifts something that is too heavy or does not use proper lifting techniques. Proper lifting technique is based on good posture and common sense. For safe lifting, follow these simple guidelines:

8 Do you use proper lifting techniques according to this list? Safety is not a plan it s an attitude Clear a pathway before moving objects from one place to another. Check the object's weight to see if you need help lifting or moving it. Use the proper tools to assist with lifting Stand close to the load and center yourself over it with your feet shoulder width apart Keeping your back straight, bend your knees and squat down to the floor Get a good grasp on the load with both hands Keeping the load close to your body use your leg muscles to stand up lifting the load off the floor Keep your back as straight as possible, using only the muscles in the legs to lift the load Do not twist your body when moving the load. Follow the same guidelines (in reverse) when putting the object down. Remember, even relatively lightweight items can cause injury if you don t follow proper lifting guidelines. On the other hand, even if you are careful, items that are too heavy can cause injury.

9 Safety is not a plan it s an attitude When it s too heavy How do you know if something is too heavy? Check every load before you lift by pushing the object lightly with your hands or feet to see how easily it moves. The total weight of many packaged items is listed on the label. There are no hard and fast rules regarding how much weight you should handle; it really depends on your strength, the shape of the item, the footing, how far it must be carried, and many other factors. Your facility may have established a maximum lifting limit; if so, follow it. If there is no official lifting limit, let common sense be your guide. Here is a list of items that are often too heavy for one person to lift or carry: Generator

10 Safety is not a plan it s an attitude Refrigerator Spare tire Drum of oil Straw bale Filled propane bottle Bag of ready-mix concrete When an item is too heavy, what should you do? When you must move heavy items consider these techniques: For heavy or hard-to-handle items, get help; If there is no one to help or if the object is difficult to hold, use a cart, wagon or hand truck; For very heavy items use an overhead crane or hoist. Make sure the object doesn t exceed the maximum safe load capacity; Use a forklift load or transport palletized items; Use a lift gate to load or unload heavy items Keep in mind that size and weight are not always related. Certain tools or machine parts may be too heavy for one person to safely carry, even though they are small. Be safe when lifting. Take time to do it right. Don t try to show off your muscles. Go ahead and laugh, but we ve all seen someone who lifted something or tried lifting something that was too

11 Safety is not a plan it s an attitude heavy, all for the purpose of showing off. There is nothing to be gained by this kind of performance. Prevention To re-cap safe lifting procedures; remember to: Clear a pathway Check the weight Use proper tools Stand close and center the load Keep your back straight Squat don t bend Use both hands Keep load close to your body Don t twist while lifting

Safety is not a plan it s an attitude To help keep your back straight and supported while lifting, consider wearing a back-support belt to further prevent lifting injuries.

12 Safety is not a plan it s an attitude To help keep your back straight and supported while lifting, consider wearing a back-support belt to further prevent lifting injuries. Also, when continually lifting objects, take short rest intervals to relieve the strain on your back. Have you ever used a backsupport belt? Response to an injury: Even when you take care to lift safely, injury can occur. If you injure your back, follow these procedures: 1) Stop working 2) Sit or lie down to take the weight off your back 3) Notify a supervisor of the accident 4) If the pain is severe, seek medical attention 5) Avoid lifting for a few days to rest your back

Safety is not a plan it s an attitude Are You Safety Savvy? We ve been discussing the proper techniques for safe lifting. Now it s time to see if you re safety savvy.

13 Safety is not a plan it s an attitude Are You Safety Savvy? We ve been discussing the proper techniques for safe lifting. Now it s time to see if you re safety savvy. The questions are simple and are intended to help you work safely. Please take them seriously, because knowing the right answers can help you work safely. Question 1 This generator must be loaded into the back of a pickup. How can it be done safely? Encourage participation in the Safety Savvy test.

14 Safety is not a plan it s an attitude Question 2 These two laborers are having a friendly competition to see who can lift the most weight. Are there any problems? You may want to stop the video after each question to allow time for discussion. Question 3 This freezer has to be moved. What is the safe way to do it?

15 Safety is not a plan it s an attitude Question 4 This worker just felt a pain in his back as he lifted an object. What should he do?

16 Safety is not a plan it s an attitude Summary Lifting is a normal part of the job for most landfill workers. Learn how to lift safely so you can avoid injury. Now it s up to you to use common sense and judgment and be safe. Are there any safety issues that require immediate attention? It s never too soon to start thinking about safety. Be sure to have all participants sign the attendance form and then place it in the file.

17 Take time to review and discuss the answers to the Safety Savvy questions. Safety is not a plan it s an attitude Answers No. 1 1) Get someone to help him 2) Use a forklift 3) Use a lift gate 4) Use a hoist 5) Do you have any other suggestions? No. 2 1) Showing off can cause injury 2) Working too fast can result using poor lifting technique 3) Do you see anything else? No. 3 1) Clear a pathway 2) Use a refrigerator dolly or hand truck 3) Any other ideas? No. 4 1) Stop working 2) Sit or lie down 3) Notify his supervisor 4) Seek medical attention if pain persists 5) Any other suggestions? Note: These are only some of the more obvious issues. You may find more.

18 Notes: Safety is not a plan it s an attitude

19 Notes: Safety is not a plan it s an attitude

20 Explain that the booklet is theirs to keep for future reference. Safety is not a plan it s an attitude This is Your Book. It is a valuable reference. Keep it handy and refer to it often Blue Ridge Services, Inc.

21 Take time to write down any important comments or ideas that came up during the class. You might want to include them the next time you teach this topic. Notes:

22 Notes:

23 To order more safety training supplies contact us at: ADDRESS: Blue Ridge Services, Inc Hites Cove Rd. Mariposa, CA PHONE: Office: Fax: WEBSITE:

What is Blue Ridge Services, Inc.? Blue Ridge Services, Inc. (BRS) is an engineering consulting company that was founded in 1988 to provide operational consulting services to waste facilities of all types.

24 What is Blue Ridge Services, Inc.? Blue Ridge Services, Inc. (BRS) is an engineering consulting company that was founded in 1988 to provide operational consulting services to waste facilities of all types. Since that time, we ve helped hundreds of facility owners and operators work safer, smarter and more profitably. Neal Bolton, founder and president of BRS, is a registered engineer, a licensed contractor and an experienced equipment operator. He is the author of The Handbook of Landfill Operations, and The Handbook of Landfill Safety, and has written over 100 magazine articles. You may already be familiar with Mr. Bolton if you ve read: MSW Management, World Waste, Waste Age, Solid Waste Technology or Solid Waste Online. Why not put his 34 years of experience to work for your waste facility? What can we do for you? Comprehensive Operational Review (CORE) We can perform a CORE for your landfill, MRF, recycling facility, green waste processing center, or transfer station. This is a comprehensive, technical review of your facility. It provides you with a practical evaluation of what s working and what s not. We evaluate your operation from top to bottom, looking at equipment, labor, airspace utilization, soil utilization, materials processing, environmental issues, surface water control, safety, etc. If it s part of your operation it s covered. Training BRS has conducted onsite training for scores of waste facilities. Choose from among our many standard training programs or let us customize one for your facility. BRS Webinar Join the scores of other waste professionals who have attended one of our online, interactive webinars. Check our website for dates and upcoming topics. Online Training We offer a variety of online training products, including safety, operations, and more. Visit our website for more information. Want more information? To find out more about the other training and consulting services we offer, please contact us at: Blue Ridge Services, Inc Hites Cove Rd. Mariposa, CA Office: Fax: safety@blueridgeservices.com Or visit our website at:

25 Weekly Tailgate Update No. 1 Proper Lifting Technique Proper lifting technique is based on good posture and common sense. Here are some simple guidelines: Clear a pathway before moving objects; Check the object s weight: Use proper tools to lift: Stand close to the load: Keep your back straight: Keep the load close to your body: Do not twist your body when moving the load. What can you do to minimize the risk of back injury? (Notes) Are there any areas or issues that require immediate attention in regard to safety? 2014 Blue Ridge Services, Inc.

26 Weekly Tailgate Update No. 1 I have participated in and understood this weekly tailgate update, Proper Lifting Technique. Presented by: Date: Attended by: Blue Ridge Services, Inc.

27 Weekly Tailgate Update No. 2 How Heavy Is Too Heavy? How do you know if something is too heavy? Push the object with your hands or feet to see how easily it moves. If your facility has a maximum lifting limit follow it. If not, let common sense be your guide. When you must move heavy items consider these techniques: Get help for heavy or hard to handle objects: If nobody is there to help use a cart, wagon or hand truck: For very heavy items use an overhead crane or hoist: Use a forklift: Use a lift gate to load or unload heavy items. (Notes) Are there any areas or issues that require immediate attention in regard to safety? 2014 Blue Ridge Services, Inc.

28 Weekly Tailgate Update No. 2 I have participated in and understood this weekly tailgate update, How Heavy Is Too Heavy? Presented by: Date: Attended by: Blue Ridge Services, Inc.

29 Weekly Tailgate Update No. 3 What If Injury Does Occur? If you injure your back, follow these procedures: Stop Working: Sit or lie down to take the weight off your back: Notify a supervisor: If the pain is severe, seek medical attention: Avoid lifting for a few days to rest your back. (Notes) Are there any areas or issues that require immediate attention in regard to safety? 2014 Blue Ridge Services, Inc.

30 Weekly Tailgate Update No. 3 I have participated in and understood this weekly tailgate update, What If Injury Does Occur? Presented by: Date: Attended by: Blue Ridge Services, Inc.

31 Safety Meeting Sign-off Sheet Page 1 of 2 Safe Lifting Procedures I have watched and understood the training video for the topic listed above and have received a copy of the corresponding training booklet for that topic. Presented by: Date: Attended by: Blue Ridge Services, Inc.

32 (Notes) Safety Meeting Sign-off Sheet Page 2 of 2 Safe Lifting Procedures Are there any areas or issues that require immediate attention in regard to safety? (List Here) 2014 Blue Ridge Services, Inc.

Powerlift Lifting Techniques For A Healthy Back. Leader s Guide and Quiz

! Powerlift Lifting Techniques For A Healthy Back Leader s Guide and Quiz 4894 POWERLIFT: Lifting Techniques For A Healthy Back PROGRAM SYNOPSIS: Most workers have been instructed to lift objects safely