Material Handling Injuries

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Material Handling Injuries

• Sprains and Strains
• 29 C.F.R., 1926 SUB PART H
• and related 1910 issues

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Disclaimer
The information presented in this presentation
has been compiled from sources believed to be
reliable and is intended to be a tool to assist
and guide you in building your own presentation.
This program may not address all the hazardous
conditions or unsafe acts that may exist. For
that reason, SPIN cautions users to confirm
accuracy and compliance with the latest standards
and best practices. Local, State/Provincial and
Federal regulations take precedence over this
material. Implementation of any practices
suggested by this program is at your sole
discretion, and SPIN will have no liability to
any party for any damages including, but not
limited to, direct, indirect, special or
consequential damages, arising out of or in
connection with the information provided or its
use.
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Nature of Material Handling (M.H.) type Injuries

• The nature of 80 of material handling type
  injuries result in soft tissue injuries such as
  strains and sprains.
• The remaining 20 result in scrapes, bruises, and
  lacerations.
• Strains and sprains are generally very costly
  injuries, especially strains or sprains to the
  extremities or the low back area.

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Sprains Strains

• A Sprain is an injury that causes damage to the
  ligaments, the tissue that connects bone to bone.
• A Strain is an injury that causes damage to
  muscles or muscle tendons,the tissue that
  connects muscle to bone.

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Examples

• Sprains and Strains are usually a result of
  direct trauma . . .
• Lifting an object while twisting from the waist
• Cumulative or repetitive trauma resulting in
  weakening of the muscles and ligaments
• Making quick body movements, such as standing or
  squatting very quickly

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Common causes of strains Sprains

• When done incorrectly
• Lifting
• Stretching
• Pulling/Pushing
• Other causes
• Poor physical conditioning
• Poor posture

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TIPS FOR PREVENTION

• Supervisors
• must
• Know the risks.
• Avoid the risks.

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Know the risks . . .

• Most strains sprains affect the arms, shoulders
  and back.
• A worker may try to pull or lift an object that
  is too heavy or awkward without help, or
• A worker may try to pull or lift a heavy object
  while twisting from the waist.
• We know that new employees are more likely to get
  injured.

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Avoid the risks . . .

• Train all Employees to
• Bend the knees, not the back.
• Carry loads close to the body.
• Do not twist. Move the feet and legs as
  necessary.
• If the object is too heavy, ask for help.
• Use the brain before the brawn.
• Maintain good posture.

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Avoid the risks . . .

• Train all Employees to
• Watch where they are walking.
• Exercise, whenever possible.
• Recommend that they do not smoke.
• Eat well.
• Report all injuries immediately!

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Workable solutions

• All supervisors must
• Use existing resources to reduce material
  handling injuries.
• Create new ways of reducing material handling
  injuries.

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Workable Solutions Ideas

• Increase proper lifting technique training.
• Assign new employees to the patronage of seasoned
  employees in the same crew.
• Involve the Lead Personnel in watching and
  training new employees.
• Use mechanical equipment whenever possible to
  pick-up, move or deposit materials.

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Material Handling?

• Why the need to reduce material handling related
  injuries?

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Benefits of M.H. injury reduction

• Increased productivity
• Lower worker compensation and general insurance
  costs
• Lower experience modifier rate

• Reduction in direct indirect costs of injuries
• Increased competitiveness
• Increased morale among employees

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General Rule of Thumb

• The average comparison between direct and
  indirect costs for accidents in the construction
  industry run at a ratio of approximately 1 to 4,
  according to the National Safety Council.

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