If you work in the manual labor trade, odds are you are tasked with lifting, carrying and moving heavy objects on pretty regular basis. Most of the time we lift and move objects without giving the process much thought, and that can lead to injuries. So today, we’re going to look at four ways we often see workers get injured while lifting objects, and how to prevent those injuries from occurring.
Common Lifting Injuries
Here’s a look at some of the common injury claims we hear from those who work physical labor.
1. Throwing Out Back While Lifting – This is probably the most common injury we hear about when it comes to lifting injuries. Most times it occurs because the worker bent at the waist instead of the knees and used poor form, but you can also herniated a disc or pinch a nerve if you use proper techniques if you’ve been in the industry for a few decades. Always practice proper lifting techniques when moving objects, and if an object is heavy, grab a co-worker to assist. If you try to do it alone, it can lead to our second most common injury.
2. Crush Injuries From Dropping Object – If you’re moving a heavy object, you’ll want to set it down slowly, but that also means your hands will be underneath the object until you move to set it down. If your coworker drops their end before you’re ready, or you simply don’t react quick enough, your fingers can be crushed under the weight of the heavy object. We’ve also helped workers get compensation when an object slips from their grasp and lands on their feet. Team lifting and clear communication are two ways to help avoid crush injuries.
3. Slip/Trip and Fall Injuries – If the object you are carrying is large, you may not be able to see what’s out in front of you. Even if you think you know every corner of the building, if someone leaves their lunchbox on the ground or you hit a wet spot, you can take a tumble. Again, a second set of hands is always useful, and don’t be afraid to set the object down every so often to scout your path before continuing so you know what’s out in front of you.
4. Repetitive Injuries – When you perform the same task over and over for many years, certain areas of your body will become overworked and worn down. Problems like disc degeneration, carpal tunnel or stress fractures can all set in if you’re not careful. Strength training and physical therapy can help you keep these areas from breaking down, and you shouldn’t continue to work if you can feel these injuries developing. Treating them before they turn into a larger problem can help prevent a severe injury that could knock you out of work for weeks or even months.
If you’ve suffered any of these injuries while lifting or moving objects at work, learn about the compensation you are entitled to receive. Reach out to Hey Workers today.
