Body mechanics

1. Body mechanics Annual compulsory education Revised April 2013

2. Learning Objectives • By the end of this presentation you will: • Be able to define body mechanics • Increase your understanding of the importance of good body mechanics • Explore common causes of back injuries • Increase your understanding of the basic principles of body mechanics • Apply the principles of body mechanics to prevent injury Revised April 2013

3. Body Mechanics The way you use your body when lifting, standing, sitting and lying down How your muscles, bones and other parts of your body work together to help you work in a safe manner Used to describe good body position, balance and movement Revised April 2013

4. Why are Body Mechanics Important? Protection from injuring yourself and/or your partner Reduces fatigue Reduces strain on your spine Maximizes body strength Uses your core muscles which give you stability Revised April 2013

5. Causes of Back Injury Sedentary lifestyle Extra abdominal weight Smoking Poor nutrition Poor posture Improper lifting Improper body positioning Revised April 2013

6. The Musculoskeletal System…What You Need to Know • The muscles around your back keep your back supported, balanced and able to move • They are short muscles and are not good for lifting • The muscles in the stomach, bottomand upper legs are long and strong • They are the most important muscles for lifting Revised April 2013

7. The Musculoskeletal System…What You Need to Know • The arm and shoulder muscles are of medium length and have medium strength • Men have stronger arm and shoulder muscles than women • They are more risk than women as they sometimes lift things with their arms rather than with the long, stronger muscles in the legs, stomach and bottom • All the muscles used for lifting in the body are under our control Revised April 2013

8. Basic Principles Maintain proper posture at all times Work at a comfortable height – at the waist or slightly below Bend at the knees and/or hips – NEVER AT THE WAIST Keep back straight Avoid stretching, twisting or reaching – Use a Pivot Turn Smooth movements Set your muscles before the task Use big muscles to raise your body to a standing position Revised April 2013

9. Standing Posture and Balance Revised April 2013

10. Standing Posture and Balance • Stand with feet flat on the floor and shoulder width apart • Divide your weight evenly on both feet • Bend your knees slightly over mid foot • Arms relaxed at the sides • Keep your back straight • Tighten your stomach muscles • Head up, eyes straight ahead Poor Posture Good Posture Revised April 2013

11. Sitting Posture Revised April 2013

12. Sitting Posture and Balance • Head up, eyes forward, chin tucked in slightly • Weight balanced on ‘sitting bones’ – arms resting on lap • Hips back in chair – Chair should support the curve of the back • Upper legs horizontal to the floor and resting on the chair seat • Knees level with thighs or slightly higher • Feet flat to the floor or resting on a foot rest Revised April 2013

13. Safe Lifting & transfers B.A.C.K. Base(wide & one foot ahead of the other) Abdominal Muscles Close to body Knees bent KEYNOTE: Get help when the object is heavy and try to not to bend your knees past the end of your toes Revised April 2013

14. When Lifting Remember • Maintain good posture at all times • Do not bend at the waist • Lower your body by bending your knees and hips keeping your back straight • When changing directions, use a pivot turn. Do not twist • Raise your body to a standing position by using your upper legs, stomach and buttock muscles while keeping your back straight • Do not lift items higher than shoulder height. Get a stool to get items off and on a high shelf Revised April 2013

15. Moving a Cart • Always push the cart from behind and walk forwards • Stand behind the cart with your head looking forward and shoulders pulled back • Grab hold of the cart with both hands placed shoulder width apart; wrists should not move • Arms are straight with a slight bend at the elbows • Upper body is tightened and stomach muscles are tight • The cart is then pushed with the legs keeping the spine in a straight position Revised April 2013

16. Putting Heavy Items on Cart • Stand facing the object that needs to be moved • Feet are shoulder width apart • Hold object on both sides, elbows kept close to the body • Knees are slightly bent and when the object is picked up, the legs are doing the work • To move the object over to the cart, move the feet instead of twisting the back Revised April 2013

17. Items from Low Cupboards or Lower Shelves on a Cart • Get down into a squatting position so you can see the items you need. Loading Carts onto the Elevator • Push the cart from behind and walk forward onto the elevator • This will prevent the need to lift the cart • To get off the elevator, walk around to the other side of the cart and push the cart off the elevator as you walk forward Revised April 2013

18. Squirting and Mopping • Apply slow constant pressure to the trigger, then fully releasing the trigger- repeat if necessary Mopping/Sweeping • Keep mop close to the body and move your weight from side to side • Keep spine straight • Tighten stomach and bottom muscles • Concentrate on keeping a straight spine position throughout the process Revised April 2013

19. Mopping • Stand facing the side of the mop pail, feet shoulder width apart and moving weight from side to side while moving the handle • Back remains in a straight position Emptying the Mop Pail • Stand beside the pail, holding onto the pail handle with one hand and holding on to the back bottom of the pail with the other hand • Move your weight from your right leg to your left leg as you empty the bucket into the drain • Once pail is empty, move your weight back to your right leg Revised April 2013

20. Vacuuming • Get ready to vacuum by moving and picking up things in the way • Make sure that no one is going to trip over the vacuum cord • Be beside the vacuum, hold the handle with both hands, one in front of the other • Place feet in wide apart and move your body weight from front to back foot as you move the vacuum over the floor • Move your body with the vacuum as you move around the room Revised April 2013

21. Picking up a Garbage Bag Check how heavy the bag is, squat down, keeping stomach, chest, leg, bottom and arm muscles tight -pick up garbage bag Placing the hands with one hand on the top half of the bag and one hand on the lower half of the bag If the bag is too heavy for you to lift, you will have to get help. If the bag is too heavy to carry, use a cart to carry the bag Revised April 2013

22. Remember Workers must know how their work areas are set up; injuries can happen over time due to uncomfortable postures from leaning over or working in small areas If a task seems difficult DO NOT CONTINUE get help or find an easier way Revised April 2013

23. BSF Safe Lifts & transfers The Brenda Strafford Foundation has a policy outlining a Safe Lifts & Transfers Program that all staff shall follow when assisting a Resident. Failure to follow the Safe Lifts & Transfers Program can not only lead to injury but also lead to disciplinary action. Care staff will be assessed on an annual basis for competency in the Safe Lifts & Transfer Program. Revised April 2013

24. Principles of safe lifting 1. Plan Your Move – follow the Nursing Care Plan 2. Strong Foundation – feet shoulder width apart with knees bent approximately 45 degrees 3. Maintain Center of Gravity – keep your head up and the Resident close to you 4. Big Jobs Need Big Muscles – use your butt and leg muscles as well as your abdominal muscles (core) 5. Power Grip – palms up gives better shoulder positions 6. Reduce Friction – use transfer or sliding sheets Revised April 2013

25. Principles of safe lifting (CONT.) 7. Communicate With Your Partner – use 1-2-3 count 8. Stick to the Script – always use these principles and they will become second nature 9. Always Ensure Proper Resident Body Positioning 10. Position Wheelchair – allow Resident’s to lead with their strong side 11. Raise Bed – working level is at the waist or slightly lower, this also allows Residents to stand more easily 12. Proper Footwear – non-slip shoes Revised April 2013

26. Transfer belts • Place Transfer Belt snugly around the Resident’s waist • Place the clasp at the belly button • Grasp either side of the belt in an underhand grip or grasp the back of the belt with an overhand grip • Resident’s arms are inside the care giver’s unless the Resident is assisting Revised April 2013

27. Slider sheets • Residents classified as Total Care in the RAI Assessment shall be repositioned in bed using a slider sheet (Will be in the Nursing Care Plan) • Residents classified as Extensive Assistance in the RAI Assessment shall be individually to determine whether a slider sheet shall be used for bed mobility (Will be in the Nursing Care Plan) Revised April 2013

28. BSF requirements • RNs, LPNs, HCAs, Recreation Therapy staff, and Adult Day Support staff must complete the Annual On-Line Compulsory In-serviceeach year. • RNs, LPNs, HCAs, Recreation Therapy staff and Adult Day Support staff must complete the Annual hands on Safe Lifts and Transfers Skill Checklist each year. Revised April 2013