The Dangers of Incorrect Lifting

In today’s fast-paced work environments, where efficiency often takes precedence, proper lifting techniques might not be at the forefront of our minds. However, failing to prioritise correct lifting can result in severe consequences for your back health. Back injuries are among the most common workplace injuries, and they can lead to long-lasting pain, reduced productivity, and even permanent damage. We look to highlight the potential damage your back could suffer from incorrect lifting practices in the workplace and discuss strategies to prevent these injuries.

Understanding the Mechanics

Lifting might seem like a simple task, but it involves a complex interplay of muscles, ligaments, and the spine. Incorrect lifting techniques can disrupt this delicate balance and place excessive strain and pressure on vulnerable areas. When lifting objects, especially heavy ones, the muscles of the lower back, abdomen, and legs should work together to distribute the load. Failing to do so can lead to injuries like sprains, strains, herniated discs, and even chronic conditions like sciatica.

Use your legs, not your back! We’ve all heard it, but one of the most common mistakes is relying on your back muscles to lift rather than utilising the power of your legs. This places tremendous stress on the spine, leading to potential muscle strains and/or disc herniations (Herniated disks are commonly referred to as ruptured disks or slipped disks). Twisting your body while lifting also increases the risk of spinal injuries. Your spine is not built to handle torsion under heavy loads, and this can result in painful muscle spasms or even more severe injuries.

We’re all guilty of it, but sometimes we overestimate just how strong we are. Playing Superman when attempting to lift objects that are too heavy for you can lead to immediate injuries or gradually wear down your back over time, causing chronic pain. Something that is just not worth it: swallow your pride and ask for a hand from someone. Lifting with poor grip or maintaining lousy posture can also contribute to back injuries. Your grip helps control the object’s movement while maintaining proper posture ensures your spine is aligned correctly. While individual lifts might seem harmless, repetitive incorrect lifting over time can compound the strain on your back, increasing the risk of injuries. These injuries are not always immediate, and over time, our joints and muscles do, unfortunately, wear down. There are thousands of people out there who are suffering in immense pain from the poor lifting they did when they were younger. Learn from their mistakes.

The costs of back injuries can be more than just physically painful. The consequences of incorrect lifting techniques extend far beyond immediate pain. Back injuries can have significant financial, physical, and emotional costs.

• Medical Expenses
  Treating back injuries often involves doctor visits, physical therapy, and, in severe cases, surgery. These expenses can quickly add up.
• Lost Productivity
  Back injuries can lead to missed workdays, reduced efficiency, and decreased productivity. This affects both you and your employer.
• Chronic Pain
  A back injury can lead to long-term or even lifelong chronic pain, significantly impacting your quality of life.
• Mental and Emotional Strain
  Dealing with chronic pain and limitations can take a toll on mental health, leading to anxiety, depression, and reduced overall well-being.

Prevention and Best Practices

Preventing back injuries due to incorrect lifting requires a combination of awareness, education, and consistent practice. Employers should provide proper training on correct lifting techniques, emphasising the importance of using leg muscles, maintaining a straight back, and avoiding twisting. They are also required to provide the necessary equipment for lifting tasks. So make sure to use lifting aids whenever possible, and mechanical aids like dollies, carts, or forklifts seriously reduce the strain on your back when lifting heavy objects.

As mentioned earlier, if an object is too heavy for one person, ask for help. Team lifting can distribute the load and reduce individual strain. Ensure to use the TILE acronym when doing any lift, but make sure to communicate these with your lifting partner. You are going to want to communicate throughout the lift to make sure the other person is feeling in control and does not need a rest or if any possible hazard they need to look out for, such as a low ceiling or if you are approaching a narrow doorframe. Depending on the task, you may benefit from warming up prior to lifting. Perform some light stretches and warm-up exercises to prepare your muscles for the activity. If you have been sitting at a desk all day and then are asked to help move a desk or a printer, your muscles may benefit from a stretch.

We should all maintain fitness, but regular exercise reduces the risk of injury. Particularly core-strengthening exercises can improve your back’s resilience but this doesn’t mean you should just lift anything in any way!

Back injuries resulting from incorrect lifting practices in the workplace are not only painful but also financially and emotionally draining. By understanding the mechanics of lifting and prioritising proper techniques, you can significantly reduce the risk of these injuries. Whether you’re an employee or an employer, investing in training, and safe lifting practices is a crucial step towards maintaining a healthy and productive workforce. Remember, a moment’s negligence can lead to a lifetime of pain – so lift right, lift smart. Your back will thank you!