Health And Safety Precautions For Movers

Guest Post

Occupational hazards can be avoided in the workplace. Empowering employees with the necessary information to acknowledge that there are possible hazards present while moving or lifting heavy objects is vitally important. In addition, by offering ways to prevent them; we can ensure that these tasks can be completed in a safe manner.

Possible risks when moving furniture or lifting heavy objects
There are several risks involved when moving furniture or lifting heavy objects. Moving furniture requires heavy lifting; putting everyone involved in this type of work at risk. Heavy lifting affects the entire body; muscles are utilized that may not be used on a daily basis. The shoulders, arms and legs are directly affected being engaged as one bends, pulls, pushes or reaches to lift or move a heavy object.
There are multiple risks involved which include damage to muscles; strains, sprains, tears, possibility of bone fractures or breaks, and even worse damage or strain to one’s heart.

Protection Against Injury
There are many precautions that one may take to reduce the risk of injury.
1) Wear lifting belts; gloves; sturdy steel toe work boots or shoes with traction to avoid slipping.
2) Bend at the knees; do not ever bend your back to lift anything. This will help in reducing the risk of injury to your back.
3) Utilize the appropriate equipment for the job. Use carts, dollies, hydraulic lifts, and fork lifts when necessary.
Please Note: If the equipment is not available, immediately alert your management staff that this equipment is necessary to ensure your safety.
Do not attempt to move the object or furniture without the aid of the required equipment.
4) Know your limitations; know the total weight of the objects to be moved; this will ensure that you utilize the appropriate equipment to more the object; based on the size/total weight of the object to move.
By knowing the weight of the furniture being moved; injury can be avoided. Without this knowledge, one individual may attempt to move an object that may require more than one person to accomplish the task safely.
5) Reduce the amount of bending to lift heavy objects by storing the heavy objects at waist level when possible. Use the appropriate equipment when necessary, if a dolly, cart or forklift is required; do not try to physically lift or move the object.

Prevention of Injury
1) Ensure that you get enough sleep nightly. Fatigue is a leading cause of injury. You may become off balance, dizzy or be too weak for the task because of not getting enough rest. Muscle strains and tears are more prominent when the body is weak from fatigue.

2) Drink plenty of water and eat fuel building foods when on break or during lunchtime. Protein filled foods and complex carbohydrates can aid in giving you the nutrition you need to bounce back from strenuous activities like lifting and moving furniture.
3) Stay physically fit; it is important to work out regularly; an aerobic type exercise like walking, running, or swimming for example, are great ways to ensure that you have the stamina for your job that requires heavy lifting. In addition, adding strength training; resistance or weight lifting will ensure that your muscles are not stressed or strained during the process of lifting or moving a heavy object.

Victor is an experienced blogger from Brisbane. It this post he shares advice for ensuring healthy environment and work habits for professional removalists.