With renovations wrapping up in Harvey-Ingham and new construction set to begin later in the school year there has been a lot of office moving going on around campus. Throughout all of this activity it is important that we take time to touch on a very important safety topic: material handling. Injuries resulting from material handling are a leading cause of lost time at work. These injuries are the result of both repetitive manual tasks and single exposure incidents. It is often the single exposure incidents that lead to the most serious injuries because they happen without warning and can therefore be more difficult to prevent.

There are a number of ways in which injuries can occur from material handling and many factors can contribute to the severity of the injury. Material handling does not just refer to moving product in construction, the plant, or a warehouse; material handling involves any kind of lifting or moving, whether it be moving a stack of books or sliding a desk to a different side of a room. Some of the most common ways that injuries occur from material handling are:

• Lifting or moving heavy objects
• Twisting or bending at the back
• Carrying objects too far away from your body
• Reaching over head to grab or set down an object
• Carrying awkwardly shaped objects or bulky objects without handles
• Doing the same task over and over for an extended period of time
• Falling or rolling objects
• Handling materials without proper hand protection

It is also important to be aware of the environmental conditions as they can have a negative effect on your ability to move objects without injury. Working in cold weather can increase joint and muscle stiffness, while working in hot weather can lead to dehydration and fatigue. Everyone should take steps to minimize or eliminate the risks involved with material handling. Using the tips and guidelines below can help in the effort to reduce workplace injuries:

• Use material handling equipment such as dollies and carts to minimize the stress on your body.
• Ask for help with moving heavy or awkwardly shaped objects. The general rule is to ask for help if the object weighs over 50 pounds, but you should always use your best judgment and recognize your limitations.
• Use proper lifting techniques anytime you need to pick something up:
  o Plan your lift and the path you plan to take.
  o Always bend at the knees and hips, not at your back.
  o Avoid twisting motions; turn your hips and feet when you need to rotate your body.
  o Keep feet shoulder-width apart.
  o Keep the item close to your body.
  o Take a deep breath before lifting.
• Avoid carrying objects that obstruct your view.
• Use gloves when carrying and moving objects.

As always, it is important to use common sense and get help when needed. If you experience any pain it is important to report the symptoms early, and take a break from what you are doing. If you have any questions or concerns, do not hesitate to contact the Environmental Health and Safety Department.

—Submitted by Chris Nickell, Director, Environmental Health & Safety