Work Smarter, Not Harder

1. Work Smarter, Not Harder Safe Lifting, Pushing and Pulling

2. Goals:By the end of this tutorial, you should be able to: • Identify risks on the job. • Demonstrate exercises. • Recommend tips to prevent injury.

3. What are the everyday risks on the job? • Lifting heavy boxes, crates and sacks. • Pulling, pushing and maneuvering heavy loads. • Performing repetitive motions.

4. DECONDITIONING Deconditioning occurs when the stomach muscles are weak & back muscles tight.

5. Examples of injuries that can occur as a result of improper lifting, pushing or pulling… Disc Tear Slipped Disc Disc Degeneration

6. The steps for proper lifting are: • Plan the load. • Tighten stomach muscles • Face the load. • Hug the load. • Keep your spine flat. • Bend your knees. • Move/rotate your feet.

7. Shoulder problems that can occur as a result of improper lifting, pushing and pulling:

8. Overstretched Ligaments

9. You can reduce the chances of shoulder injuries by: • Building strong rotator cuff muscles. • Maintaining shoulder flexibility. • Keeping elbows at your side. • Reaching without overextending.

10. Rotator Cuff Exercises *These exercises require the use of a stretch band. If you have had previous shoulder injuries and would benefit from these exercises, please contact Whitney Ellersick (916-3276) or Dave Willworth (916-3395).

11. Safety Supports If you have difficulty lifting, also try: • Dropping a knee to brace yourself. • Moving as close as possible to the load. • Keeping your spine flat.

12. When handling Transfer (Upright) Carts… • Bend your knees, not your back. • Keep your spine flat. • Shift your body weight to push/pull. • Tighten your stomach muscles.

13. UNSAFE LIFTING Notice the curve in the spine! This is not safe! Lifting a load that’s too far in front of you pulls on the spine.

14. Stretching exercise to reduce the risk of: • Back pain • Lumbar pain • Sciatic pain Back extension exercise

15. WHAT CAN YOU DO? • Be in shape for your job. • Bend your knees, not your back. • Pivot your feet, not your back. • Use your body weight to push/pull. • Keep your spine straight.

16. What Can You Do, Continued… • Be present. • Take your time. • Get plenty of rest. • Drink plenty of liquids. • Listen to your body.

17. If you or a fellow employee get hurt… Contact your School Specialist or Program Manager right away. Fill out an incident/accident report and if you are planning to visit the doctor, you will also need to fill out the 801 form. Both forms can be found on the intranet.

18. Quiz 1. The first step of safe lifting is to Bend your knees Plan the load Pick up the load Touch the load a. b. c. d.

19. The correct answer is b, Plan the load. Plan the load. Tighten stomach muscles Face the load. Hug the load. Keep your spine flat. Bend your knees. Move/rotate your feet. Back to Quiz

20. Correct! Good job! Plan the load is the first step in safe lifting. Next Question

21. Quiz • When lifting, your spine should be ______. Curved Twisted Flat None of the above a. b. c. d.

22. The correct answer is c, Flat. Plan the load. Tighten stomach muscles Face the load.  Hug the load. Keep your spine flat. Bend your knees. Move/rotate your feet. Back to Quiz

23. Correct! Good job! Your spine should be flat when lifting. Next Question

24. Quiz 3. How can you prevent a shoulder injury? Build strong rotator cuff muscles. Maintain shoulder flexibility. Reach without overextending. All of the above. a. b. c. d.

25. The correct answer is d, All of the Above. To prevent shoulder injury… • Build strong rotator cuff muscles. • Maintain shoulder flexibility. • Keep elbows at your side. • Reach without overextending. Back to Quiz

26. Correct! Good job! All three answers, build strong shoulder muscles, maintain shoulder flexibility and reach without overextending are ways to prevent shoulder injuries. Next Question

27. Quiz 4. What is/are the step(s) you should take when handling a transfer (upright) cart? Bend your knees, keeping your spine flat. Shift your body weight to push/pull. Tighten your stomach muscles. All of the above. a. b. c. d.

28. The correct answer was d, All of the Above. To safely move a transfer cart, you should: • Bend your knees, not your back. • Keep your spine flat. • Shift your body weight to push/pull. • Tighten your stomach muscles. Back to Quiz

29. Correct! Good job! When moving a transfer cart, you should bend you knees while keeping your spine flat, shift your body weight to push or pull, and tighten your stomach muscles. Next Question

30. Quiz 5. If you or a fellow employee is injured while working, you should: Panic. Call your School Specialist or Program Manager right away. Fill out the appropriate forms. Both b and c. a. b. c. d.

31. The correct answer is d, Both b and c. When you or a fellow employee is injured while working, you should: Contact your School Specialist or Program Manager right away. Fill out an incident/accident report and if you are planning to visit the doctor, you will also need to fill out the 801 form. Both forms can be found on the intranet.

32. Correct! Good job! When an employee gets hurt while working, it is important to contact your School Specialist or Program Manager right away. Filling out the proper forms is important as well, for both the employee and the District. Next

33. Congratulations! You’ve completed the Work Smarter, Not Harder – Safe Lifting, Pushing and Pulling online tutorial.

34. If you have any questions regarding this material, please contact your School Specialist or Program Manager, or you may attend any Safety Committee Meeting. Safety Committee Meetings are held every 3rd Tuesday at 2:30pm at the BESC. Safety Committee Chair: Dave Willworth 503-916-3395