Toolbox Talk: Lifting and Carrying Materials
-
CPWR Toolbox Talk Series
CPWR’s Toolbox Talks are designed to be used at the start of work to raise worker awareness of potential hazards workers may encounter on a job and preventative measures. The format for the toolbox talks is based on NIOSH research. Each Toolbox Talk includes an image on one side illustrating the potential hazard, and on the other side a description of the hazard and risk, a brief ‘real-life’ case example, steps to prevent an injury or illness, and questions for discussion. All of the toolbox talks are available in English and Spanish.
Documents
- Toolbox Talk: Hot Environments
- Toolbox Talk: Aerial Lifts
- Toolbox Talk: Arc Welding and Electrical Safety
- Toolbox Talk: Arc Welding and Fire Safety
- Toolbox Talk: Asphalt Fumes
- Toolbox Talk: Biohazard Safety
- Toolbox Talk: Boom Truck Safety
- Toolbox Talk: Buried Utilities
- Toolbox Talk: Carbon Monoxide Poisoning
- Toolbox Talk: Carpal Tunnel Syndrome
- Toolbox Talk: Cold Weather
- Toolbox Talk: Confined Spaces
- Toolbox Talk: Cranes 2: Stability and Tipping
- Toolbox Talk: Materials Handling: Drywall
- Toolbox Talk: Extension Cord Safety
- Toolbox Talk: Electric Power
- Toolbox Talk: Electric Wiring
- Toolbox Talk: Equipment Maintenance
- Toolbox Talk: Equipment: Falling Objects
- Toolbox Talk: Equipment: Getting On and Off
- Toolbox Talk: Eye Protection
- Toolbox Talk: Falls From Moving Machinery
- Toolbox Talk: Preventing Falls From Rooftops
- Toolbox Talk: Preventing Falls From Scaffolding
- Toolbox Talk: Preventing Falls through Holes
- Toolbox Talk: Falls: Extension Ladders
- Toolbox Talk: Falls: General Protection and Awareness
- Toolbox Talk: Fire Safety
- Toolbox Talk: Forklift Safety
- Toolbox Talk: Hammer Safety
- Toolbox Talk: Head Protection
- Toolbox Talk: Noise and Hearing Protection
- Toolbox Talk: Histoplasmosis "Histo"
- Toolbox Talk: Housekeeping
- Toolbox Talk: Lead Exposure
- Toolbox Talk: Lifting and Carrying Materials
- Toolbox Talk: Lockout/Tagout
- Toolbox Talk: Lyme Disease
- Toolbox Talk: Nail Guns
- Toolbox Talk: Night Shift: Road Work
- Toolbox Talk: Overhead Power Lines
- Toolbox Talk: Power Saws
- Toolbox Talk: Roof Collapse
- Toolbox Talk: Shift Work, Long Work Hours, and Fatigue
- Toolbox Talk: Silica
- Toolbox Talk: Skid Steer Loaders
- Toolbox Talk: Step Ladders
- Toolbox Talk: Traffic Safety
- Toolbox Talk: Trench Safety
- Toolbox Talk: Vibration
- Toolbox Talk: PPE: Wet Concrete
- Toolbox Talk: Workplace Stress
Summary Statement
The CPWR Toolbox Talk on Lifting & Carrying Materials addresses the risk of back injuries when working with heavy materials. The resource includes a ‘real-life’ case example, steps to prevent a related injury or illness, and questions for discussion. It includes an image (page 2) that illustrates the hazard, which can be posted in a central location as a reminder of steps to work safely.
Click on the following links to access the English version and the Spanish version.
(English)
(Español)
https://www.cpwr.com/publications/toolbox-talks
Back injuries account for 25 percent of construction injuries. Construction has the second highest rate of back injuries of any industry.
Here is an Example
Bags of concrete had been delivered to a construction site, but the forklift normally used to move the pallets was in the shop for repairs. Rick and other members of his masonry crew had to lift and carry the bags to a safe area so that no one would stumble over them. In a hurry to do the job, Rick did not lift with his leg muscles but just bent over and lifted with his back. When he went to the doctor in serious pain the next day, the doctor found Rick had damaged a disc in his lower back and could no longer do that kind of work.
- Have you ever had a back injury from lifting and carrying or do you know anyone who has?
- If so, what happened?
Preventing Back Injuries from Lifting and Carrying
- Always use mechanical equipment like a dolly to lift heavy objects, if at all possible.
- Never try to lift an item weighing over 50 pounds by yourself.
- Plan your lifts; make sure the path is clear and you are facing the direction of the travel prior to lifting.
- Tuck in the chin to keep the back as straight as possible while lifting.
- Lift with the strong leg muscles, not your back. Ask for help with heavy or awkward objects.
- Avoid twisting your body while carrying an object.
- Coordinate and practice team lifting prior to the lift.
What Are We Going to Do Today?
What will we do here at the worksite today to prevent injuries from lifting and carrying items?
1.____________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________
2.____________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________
3.____________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________
OSHA STANDARD” Section 5(a)(1) of the OSHA Act
- Always use mechanical equipment like a dolly to lift heavy objects, if at all possible.
- Never try to lift an item weighing over 50 pounds by yourself.
- Plan your lifts; make sure the path is clear and you are facing the direction of the travel prior to lifting.