Lifting and Carrying (Manual materials Handling)


Problem:

Workers that install cabinets, countertops, moulding and doors may face hazards from lifting and carrying (manual materials handling).

Risk Description:

Lifting heavy materials while loading, unloading and distributing construction materials can cause injury to muscles, nerves, discs and ligaments of the low back. Non-specific low back pain is not the result of a fall or some other acute traumatic injury, so it can be difficult to identify a specific event that led to the injury. Repetitive lifting can lead to low back muscle strain, ligament sprain, a bulging or herniated disc, nerve damage, or other back problems.


Assessment Info:

Liberty Mutual Manual Material Handling Guidelines are tables that can be helpful in determining maximum acceptable weight limits for lifting and carrying tasks along with suggested solutions for minimizing the risk of injury from lifting or carrying.  Washington State LNI also provides has calculators that analyze lifting operations.