Strap-on cleats and spikes can provide additional traction

1
UW Madison Custodial Back Safety Handbook
Presented by Environment, Health and Safety
Department and Office of Human Resources
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Introduction
This custodial back safety handbook was
developed by the Office of Human Resources and
the Environment, Health and Safety Department.
This handbook was specifically designed for UW
Madison Custodians and targets specific work
practices and related back safety issues. Back
injuries are one of the most common injuries for
UW Madison custodians. This handbook is designed
to serve as a reference for back safety practices
and procedures, and also complements the back
safety signage and training videos developed by
OHR and EHS as part of an Injury Reduction Grant
funded by the Department of Administration,
Division of Risk Management. Adhering to these
guidelines for back safety practices and
procedures may help reduce accidents and injuries
and keep you healthier, safer, and more
productive. Please send any suggestions for
changes or corrections to OccHealth_at_fpm.wisc.edu
Disclaimer EHS and OHR are providing this
handbook for educational purposes only. Any
therapy or exercise should be prescribed,
supervised, and instructed by a trained
healthcare professional. EHS and OHR are not
liable for any injury or pain resulting from
recommendations found in this handbook. Please
seek medical advice if your symptoms or pain
increase, and allow your medical or therapy
professional to prescribe the exact exercise
progression that is based on medical necessity
and specific condition to which you are being
treated.
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Table of Contents
Page 4.. ...Services Page
5......Back Basics Page
6......Back Basics Page
7......Back Basics Page
8......Safety Equipment Page
9..Safety Equipment Page
10........Stretching Page
11Stretching Page 12Lifting
Page 13Lifting Page 14Push/P
ull/Get Help Page 15Snow Removal Page
16Injury Reporting Page
17Injury Reporting Page
18Summary Page 19....Emergenc
y Contacts Page 20Emergency Response
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Services

• Environment, Health and Safety (EHS)
• 608-265-5000
• Office of Biological Safety
• Chemical and Environmental Safety
• General Safety Program
• Occupational Health Program
• Radiation Protection Program
• Office of Human Resources (OHR-WC)
• Benefit ServicesWorkers Compensation
• 608-265-9475 or 608-262-0073
• Job-related injuries and illnesses management
  and
• consultation
• Injured workers rights and responsibilities
  consultation
• Referral Services for Rehabilitation Nursing and
  the State
• Injured Worker Program

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Back Basics Foundation

• The foundation of your back, the spine, is
  rigid enough to support more than half of your
  body weight. But the spine also has enough
  flexibility for you to bend down and touch your
  toes.
• To accomplish these dual functions the spine is
  made up of 33 individual bones known as
  vertebrae 24 are moveable. They are
• The seven cervical (neck) vertebrae which
  support the
• skull and allow you to move your head
• The twelve thoracic (middle back) vertebrae
  which
• hold your rib cage in place and
• The five vertebrae in the lumbar (lower back)
  region of
• your back which enable you to bend at the
  waist.
• In a healthy spine, 33 vertebrae form a natural
  S curve. The spines S curve helps distribute
  your weight equally.

Natural S curve
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Back Basics Injury

• Strained muscles and sprained ligaments are the
  most common causes of back pain.
• This type of back pain, which lasts less than
  three months,
• is considered to be acute.
• With proper treatment these injuries usually
  heal within a
• few weeks
• When back pain persists or frequently reoccurs,
  it is considered to be chronic.
• Chronic back pain may indicate that something is
  wrong
• with the spine itself.
• Several factors may increase the onset of acute
  or chronic back pain including
• Lifting incorrectly

7
Back Basics The Zone Defense

• Your Safe Lifting Zone is
• between your hips and shoulders.
• Lifting and carrying objects in this
• area is considered proper body
• mechanics and provides the best
• chance for minimizing injury.
• Your At-Risk Zone is below
• the knees or above your head.
• When you try to lift in this area,
• your back muscles have to work
• harder, which may result in an
• injury. To protect your back when
• you must lift in your At-Risk Zone
• Maintain a solid base of support
• with your feet

Safe Lifting Zone
At-Risk Zone
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Safety Equipment Personal Protective Equipment
Always consider wearing appropriate personal
protective equipment for any task you perform
Ask your doctor if a supportive back belt is
right for you
Disposable gloves for trash collections
Closed-toed shoes with good support and traction
are essential
Leather or cloth gloves can protect your hands
and provide grip
Strap-on cleats and spikes can provide additional
traction
9
Safety Equipment Tools
Use of proper tools may make your job safer and
easier
Recycling cart
Rolling barrel
Flat-bed cart
Dolly
Extension reacher
Ergonomic Shovel
Pallet jack
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Stretching
Many back injuries result from weak, tight
muscles. A few pre-shift stretches may help you
be more flexible on the job and prevent a back
injury. Shoulder Shrugs
(helps reduce upper back and neck discomfort)
STEP 1) Stand or sit straight up arms relaxed
by your side STEP 2) Slowly roll shoulders
straight up towards your ears STEP 3) Then
squeeze shoulders together, and let them roll
down and back movement should be smooth and
circular, and should take 5 seconds a mild,
comfortable stretch should be felt through your
shoulders and lower neck STEP 4) Repeat 5 times
The Mid-Back Stretch (helps reduce fatigue
between the shoulder blades) STEP 1) Start
standing or sitting straight up and reach both
arms straight out in front of you STEP 2) Grab
your left wrist lightly and pull left arm an
inch further out STEP 3) Inhale deeply and hold
for 5 seconds STEP 4) Exhale and release
slowly, switch sides and repeat
11
Stretching
Remember to take deep breaths and hold stretches
for the recommended amount of time. Release
stretches slowly and consistently, and repeat as
necessary. Standing Back Bend (helps reduce
lower back discomfort) STEP 1) Place your hands
on your hips and your feet shoulder width
apart slowly lean backwards STEP 2) Look up
towards the roof, hold for 10 seconds a mild,
comfortable stretch should be felt through your
low and mid-back STEP 3) Hold stretch for 10
seconds, release slowly, repeat 5
times Hamstring Stretch (helps reduce lower
back discomfort) STEP 1) Standing, put your
left leg straight out in front of you (can be
performed with heel on step or ground) STEP 2)
Lift your left toes up so only your heel touches
the ground or step STEP 3) Keeping your back as
straight as possible, bend forward from your
hip a mild, comfortable stretch should be felt
at the back of your thigh STEP 4) Hold stretch
for 10 seconds, release slowly STEP 5) Switch
sides and repeat
12
Lifting

• Preparing for the lift
• Size up the load. Test the weight before you try
  to lift. If
• its too heavy, divide it up, get help from a
  co-worker, or
• use a machine, dolly, or cart to assist you
• Survey your route. Look for hazards such as
  spills, uneven
• surfaces, corners, and flooring changes
• Performing the lift
• Make sure your mind is on the job, your spine is
  in its
• neutral S curve posture and you are in your
  Safe Lifting
• Zone
• Get as close to the load as you can
• With feet shoulder-width apart, either squat
  down with
• both feet equally squared or put one foot in
  front of the
• other using a diagonal squat (see pictures
  below)

Square Power Lift
Diagonal Power Lift
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Lifting

• Lowering down lifts
• Lower down to one knee
• Hold the load close to your body as you squat
• Balance the load on your other knee
• Pause to adjust your grip, and set down
• Carrying and Lowering
• If you have to turn, aim one foot toward your
  destination
• Use your feet to pivot dont twist with your
  back
• Set the load down in one slow movement
• Carrying heavy loads in your Safe-Lifting Zone
• Store heavy items at waist level
• If the load is heavy or bulky, use a cart or
  dolly instead of
• carrying

Carry and store items at waist level
Two Person Carry
14
Push, Pull, Get Help

• Pushing and Pulling
• Pushing is easier on your back than pulling
• When pushing, keep your back in a neutral
  position (head
• in-line with your shoulders and hips) use
  both arms and
• keep stomach muscles tight
• Survey the area for potential obstacles
• If you must pull, stay close to the load keep
  your back
• straight bend your knees slightly and pull
  with one
• smooth motion
• Ask for assistance if you cant see around a
  tall cart. A co-
• worker can help guide you

Top Pushing is easier on the back than
pulling Left When pushing tall carts ask a
co-worker to lead the way
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Snow Removal

• Shoveling
• Make sure you have a good grip -
• Grip the shovel with your hands about 12 inches
  or more apart for greater stability and leverage.
• Maintain your balance -
• Face the task directly. Stand with your feet
  shoulder-width apart to maintain balance.
• Use proper lifting techniques -
• Lift with your legs. Bend with your knees - not
  your back.
• Do not twist your body -
• Dump the snow in front of you. If you need to
  move the snow to the side, move with your feet.
  Walk to where you want to dump the snow rather
  than reaching, tossing, or throwing the load.
• Pace yourself during snow removal -
• Shovel an inch or two then take another inch
  off. Rest and repeat as necessary.

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Accident Injury Reporting
Even with the best practices and precautions,
accidents and injuries can still occur. In the
event that you are injured while performing your
job duties follow these steps 1. Obtain first
aid or medical attention if necessary. 2. Report
your injury to your supervisor immediately. 3.
If you see a medical practitioner, be sure to
indicate that the injury was job related. Always
mention this when getting medical treatment
related to a Workers Compensation claim. 4.
Complete the Employees Work Injury and Illness
Report (OSLP-1) as soon as possible (see next
page). 5. Forward copies of any medical
releases/restrictions to your Human Resources
Manager or to your supervisor. You will receive
an acknowledgement of your claim from the Office
of Human Resources Workers Compensation (OHR-WC)
staff, along with additional information about
Workers Compensation, its background, mutual
responsibilities and benefits. You should hear
about the disposition of your claim within 10
days of when OHR-WC receives the Work Injury and
Illness Report. Office of Human Resources
Workers Compensation 608-265-9475 or
608-262-0073
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Accident Injury Reporting
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Summary

• As we have discussed so far in this handbook,
  back safety requires proper preparation, tools,
  and techniques. Lets review some important
  highlights
• Always conduct a risk assessment to determine
  hazards before you start a task
• Use appropriate Personal Protective Equipment and
  proper tools to make your task safer and easier
• Stretch often and ask your doctor about other
  exercises that can help prevent back injuries
• Avoid lifting objects that are too heavy or
  bulky. Get help, or use a dolly or cart
• When you do lift, bend at the knees and lift with
  your legs. Avoid bending at the waist, even when
  lifting light objects
• Use carts and dollys to help move supplies and
  materials rather than trying to carry them
• Push carts, dolly's, and other movable devices
  rather than pulling them
• Adapt your working environment to accommodate
  your back. Rearrange shelves and store items
  within easy reach

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Emergency Contacts
Occupational and Environmental Emergencies ENVIRO
NMENT, HEALTH AND SAFETY www.fpm.wisc.edu/safety
General EHS Line608-265-5000 Chemical and
Radiation Help Line 608-265-5518 Facility
and Mechanical Emergencies FACILITIES PLANNING
MANAGEMENT www2.fpm.wisc.edu/ppnew/cars/ Central
Answering Response Service CARS608-263-3333
Personal Safety/Security Fire
Emergencies POLICE DEPARTMENT www.uwpd.wisc.edu
Non-Emergency608-262-2957 Emergency-911
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Emergency Response Guide
EMERGENCY PHONE NUMBERS
Police . 911 Or Non-Emergency 262-2957
Poison Control 1-800-222-1222
Fire - 911
CRIMINAL ACTS
Call UW Police Non-Emergency 262-2957
Call 911
Acts in Progress
Acts Not in Progress
MEDICAL EMERGENCIES
Send someone to guide Police Rescue to victim
If trained, begin First Aid
Call 911
FIRE ALARM OR ACTUAL FIRE
Evacuate Area Pull Fire Alarm
Call 911 from outside building Stay back 500
feet from building
Use Nearest Exit or Alternate Safe Route Do Not
Use Elevators
NATURAL DISASTER / SEVERE WEATHER
Warning Severe weather sighted
Seek Appropriate Shelter
Stay away from windows Avoid large rooms Do
Not use Elevators
Watch Conditions favorable for severe weather
Monitor Weather Broadcasts
For more Emergency Action information, contact UW
EHS at 265-5000