Working in a warehouse is an honest way to earn a good living. You enjoy your job, but all the heavy lifting can take a toll on the body. Whether you’re happy in your current role or searching for jobs hiring in Allentown, PA, it’s important take every possible safety precaution.
Quite literally, protecting yourself on the job involves watching your back. Injuries of this nature can be hard to treat and slow to heal, making prevention especially crucial.
Overall, worker injuries totaled 2.8 per 100 in 2017, according to the Occupational Safety and Health Administration. For back injuries specifically, manual materials handling is often to blame. This activity is the leading cause of compensable injuries in the U.S., according to OSHA, with four out of five injuries impacting the lower back.
Three Tips to Prevent Back Injuries
Maintain Good Posture
A healthy back has three natural curves — cervical, thoracic and lumbar — according to the Mayo Clinic. Displaying good posture helps maintain these curves, whereas poor posture can stress or pull muscles, causing you to feel pain.
Standing straight and tall with your shoulders back, keeping your head level and in line with your body and unlocking your knees are a few ways to display good posture, according to the Mayo Clinic.
Lift With Caution
When it comes to back pain, the manner in which you lift heavy objects can make all the difference. Help avoid injury by keeping your back straight when you lift, bending your hips and standing with your chest out. When you change direction, always lead with your hips, as this can help you avoid placing added strain on your back. You’ll also want to hold the object you’re carrying close to your body.
Exercise Caution When Standing for Prolonged Periods
Working in a warehouse often means standing on your feel for several hours straight, which can be hard on your back. OSHA advises taking strides to protect yourself by placing your feet on a foot rail or footrest, standing on a resilient floor mat and changing positions regularly. These might seem like small measures, but over time, they can make a huge difference.
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