In the construction industry, workers frequently lift and weight huge objects, and this puts them at risk of serious injury. According to the Center for Construction Research and Training, back injuries represent the most common type in construction.
The National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH) published a guide for preventing manual material handling injuries. The document states that just the worker compensation cost for a shoulder injury is around $20,000-25,000.
Safe weighing and handling are crucial to effectively mitigate risks of debilitating injuries as well as expensive medical costs. In this blog, we’ll share a few safety tips that maximize worker safety.
Wear Safety Gear
When getting ready to lift, make sure to wear the proper safety gear. Ensure that your stability and grip are solid to prevent dropping heavy loads on your feet or twisting your back. Wear gloves that are designed to improve your grip as well as sturdy boots that have steel-reinforced toes and a non-slip sole that minimizes drop risks.
Know Your Limits
It’s not unusual for construction workers to lift weights that are well beyond the safety limits. The Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) has established 51 pounds as the maximum weight limit for one person. Lifting heavier weights could easily result in serious back or neck injuries.
The usual reason for lifting heavy weights is when a worker wants to rush through a job. Supervisors should remind laborers to adhere to the safety guidelines. It’s better to take additional trips to transport larger loads rather than risk injury.
Take Breaks
Once again, this goes back to how much the management focuses on worker safety. Prolonged periods of heavy lifting without breaks guarantee fatigue and chronic back pain. Even if the workers don’t seem tired, ensure that everyone takes routine breaks.
Work Smarter, Not Harder
If you’re assigned to lift something unwieldy and massive, do it in the safest way possible. Instead of manhandling heavy objects, make use of forklifts, handcarts, dollies, or any other sort of equipment that’ll make your job easier.
Plan Out Your Route
Planning your route is important because it gives you a clear idea of where you’re going and shortens the distance you have to travel. Stopping while carrying heavy loads increases the risk of injuries.
These are a few tips that’ll make handling and weighing much easier. Another effective way of reducing workplace injuries is by installing crane safety systems. Crane Warning Systems Atlanta provides crane load monitoring system that make lifting jobs safer and easier to carry out. Contact us today for more information.