Lifting Safely

1. Lifting Safely Remember After all – Its your back!

2. Objectives • Learn how protect your back • Learn how to lift • Learn how to complete a variety of transfers

3. Its your back treat it kindly • Practice good posture • Use good body mechanics • Maintain physical fitness

4. Posture is important • Your spine is strong and stable when you stand up straight. • If you slouch your muscles and ligaments must work harder. This can lead to fatigue, back pain, or leg pain.

5. Body Mechanics • Use good body mechanics when lifting. • Follow the seven principals of lifting all the time.

6. Seven Principles for Safe Lifting Keep your back’s natural curve as much as possible. • When your spine is stacked it is strong.

7. Principalnumber 2 Keep your legs slightly apart for a good base of support. • When standing, keep one foot forward for better balance. • When lifting from the floor, keep your knees wide apart or go to a half kneeling position.

8. Principal number 3 Bend at your knees and hips- not your back. • Lift with your legs.

9. Principal number 4 Lift objects or people close to the trunk of your body – heart to heart.

10. Principal number 5 • Use your feet to turn- don’t twist your back. • Keep your entire trunk facing what you are lifting. Lead with your hips.

11. Principal number 6 Wear appropriate clothing: • flat-heeled, covered shoes • clothes that allow movement but will not get caught.. • Remove watches, bracelets, raised rings or anything that might scratch or pinch. • Keep nails short and smooth

12. Principal number 7 Keep breathing • Breath in and out thorough out the lift • Do not hold your breath

13. Lets consider LIFTING .

14. Think before You Lift • Plan your lift • Talk it through • Anticipate problems • Arrange the environment • Do a test lift to be sure you can manage the lift

15. Communication is Important • Talk to the person you are assisting and explain the lift. • Do not assume the person cannot understand. • Use your words, voice, eyes, and touch to communicate

16. Encourage Independence • Try to find all the ways that people can help. • Allow extra time for students to help themselves.

17. Provide Physical Support • Use controlled movements—slow, smooth, segmented movements • Use good body mechanics. • Make good contact and provide support toward the center of the body.

18. Recommended Weight Guidelines for Lifting • 50 pounds or less – one person lift • 51-100 pounds – two person lift • 101 – 150 pounds – three person lift or mechanical lift.

19. Is Pooh ready to belifted ?

20. Lock the brakes Remove seatbelt Remove chest harness Removes footplates and armrests if needed. Now he’s ready !

21. Moving through the lift • Move so that you can use your feet to turn. • DO NOT twist yourself or the person being lifted. • Set the environment up in an L shape.

22. Head to foot transfer

23. Foot to head transfer

24. One person lift • Support the head and neck. • Support under the thighs but above the knees • Support or cradle arms if necessary

26. Two person lift • Decide who will be in charge. • One person at the head and chest and one at the hips and legs. • Communicate, know the cues you will use before you lift ie: 1-2-3 lift.

27. Taller person takes the upper body.

28. 2nd person lifts hips and legs

29. Another example of a two person lift

32. 3 person lift

33. Hoyer or Mechanical lift • The sling travels with the student and stays in the wheelchair. • Always requires 2 people. • Never leave the student hanging or without close guarding.

36. Review -Causes of back injury • 1.Poor Posture • 2. Excessive forward bending • 3. Decreased flexibility – especially back and legs • 4. Poor physical condition • 5. Accidents • 6. Work habits

37. Questions

38. Treat your back right After all – Its Your Back