Lifting safety is a critical part of workplace operations across many industries, and it should never be overlooked. In fact, health and safety regulations are strict about safety practices, especially given the risk of accidents and even long-term health conditions.
This guide will take you through the essentials of lifting safety–what you need to know to prevent injuries and improve your lifting practices, including proper techniques, common hazards, and employer duties. Whether you’re on the frontlines or managing a team, the best practices listed here will help you build a more compliant and efficient workplace.
What is lifting safety?
Improper lifting is a leading cause of workplace injuries, which is why lifting safety is required by workplace safety laws. Lifting safety refers to the practices and precautions for minimizing risks associated with moving loads, either by hand or with equipment like forklifts, cranes, or hoists.
Lifting is a routine part of many industries, but improper lifting techniques or faulty equipment can lead to serious injuries or even fatalities. Lifting safety goes two ways then. First, organizations should have clear safety protocols, give proper training, and make sure all lifting equipment is inspected and maintained. At the same time, individuals should also apply proper lifting techniques and use the equipment correctly.
Basics of safe lifting
Before proceeding with any type of lifting activity, it’s important to understand these core principles, which are based on body mechanics:
Posture
Proper posture is the cornerstone of safe lifting.
- Keep your back straight and bend at the knees, not at the waist. This allows your leg muscles to bear the load, reducing strain on your spine.
- Engage abdominal muscles during the lift to stabilize your core and add support for your back.
- Do not twist or bend. This can create uneven pressure on the spine and lead to injuries, like herniated discs.
- Keep the load close to your body. The farther an object is from your center of gravity, the more effort you must put in to hold it steady.
These small adjustments make a major difference, so take the time to get your posture right before each lift.
Weight distribution
You also need to be mindful of weight distribution since this will affect balance and stability. When you’re lifting, always position the load so the weight is evenly distributed. If the load is irregularly shaped or imbalanced, it might shift suddenly–which can be dangerous.
Before you lift the load, check if it feels off-center or wobbles. Some ways to adjust it would be:
- Redistributing the items in a box
- Using straps to stabilize
- Breaking down the load into smaller parts
If you really can’t avoid uneven weight, apply extra precautions, like changing your grip or adjusting your posture. You can also use tools like slings or specialized equipment. Remember that balance isn’t just about the load—it’s also about your stance and grip.
Load limits
Do not attempt to lift loads that are beyond your capacity. This can vary per person, but in general, the HSE sets a maximum of 25 kg (55lbs) for men and 16kg (35 lbs) for women, without assistance. Take note that this is the maximum, and it can even be lower depending on your situation as well as how far you’re lifting.
Before you lift, assess the weight of the object. If it seems too heavy, don’t hesitate to seek help or use mechanical aids like forklifts, pallet jacks, or hoists.
Load limits apply to equipment too. Every lifting equipment has a maximum capacity that should never be exceeded, so check the equipment’s data plate or documentation.
Top lifting hazards
Going beyond the basic principles, take a closer look at the main risks to be aware of when it comes to lifting safety:
Overexertions and strains
Many lifting injuries happen because of overexertion. This happens when people attempt to lift or move loads beyond their capacity. Aside from immediate pain, overexertion can actually have long-term effects, such as chronic back issues or limited mobility, if not treated properly.
Poor posture and techniques
Using improper lifting posture is another major contributor to injuries. If the posture guidelines above aren’t followed, such as twisting while lifting or not engaging the leg, it’s easier to get injuries like sprains or muscle tears. Because of this, workers need thorough training in safe lifting techniques, and supervisors should reinforce and give feedback.
Slippery or uneven surfaces
This can happen because of wet floors, loose mats, debris, or poorly maintained workspaces. Slippery or uneven surfaces clearly create an unstable environment for lifting, significantly increasing the risk of slips, trips, and falls. It’s a major risk, so make it a priority to keep the working area clean and even, with proper lighting. Workers should also have slip-resistant footwear, and they should test their footing before lifting.
Improperly maintained equipment
Equipment like hoists, forklifts, and cranes are vital for lifting heavy loads, but they should also be maintained properly. After all, worn-out components or frayed cables can lead to sudden equipment failures–for example, a snapped sling can cause loads to fall, injuring workers and damaging materials. Neglecting regular maintenance not only increases downtime but also endangers everyone on site.
Fatigue and repetition
One hazard that might not be immediately obvious is fatigue, usually when workers perform repetitive tasks or go through long shifts. As workers get tired, their strength, coordination, and focus decline, making them more prone to errors. This is why employers should implement task rotation schedules to prevent repetitive strain and give adequate breaks during shifts.
Lack of training and awareness
Workers not getting enough training is another hazard–and it’s actually a leading cause of accidents. They may not be familiar with proper lifting equipment or how to use the equipment correctly, which leads to more mistakes. Because of this, training should cover essential topics, like safe lifting practices, equipment operation, and recognizing potential hazards.
Best practices for lifting safety
By following these best practices, you can prevent a lot of the hazards below during lifting tasks:
1. Plan before you lift
Before engaging in any lifting task, assess the load for its weight, size, and shape. Ask yourself: is it manageable for one person? If the object is too heavy, awkward, or unbalanced, consider breaking it into smaller parts or getting help from another person or mechanical aids like forklifts. Do a runthrough of the basic principles above–posture, the weight distribution, and proper load limits.
Scope out the environment too—make sure that it’s free of clutter and the work area isn’t uneven or slippery. Double-check that you already have the right tools in place and you’ve agreed on a coordinated plan if other team members are involved.
2. Keep equipment well-maintained
The safety and reliability of lifting equipment cannot be guaranteed unless it has received regular inspections. Regular inspections are particularly important because they provide a useful means of detecting potential hazards which could contribute to accidents.
Some regulations require that in-depth examinations of lifting devices be done at least every 6 months, especially those that carry people because they pose the highest safety risk. Lifting accessories must also be examined twice a year as they can cause fatal accidents if they are used while damaged. For preventive maintenance, most manufacturers’ operation and maintenance manuals recommend a routine weekly inspection.
3. Schedule regular breaks
To combat fatigue, there should be regular breaks for workers to recover, especially during shifts where the lifting is especially strenuous or repetitive. For example, you can plan work schedules with breaks every hour. Breaks starting at five minutes allow muscles to relax and recover, preventing strain and maintaining strength throughout the shift. During these breaks, workers can drink water, stretch, and move.
Consider rotating tasks to avoid repetitive strain, such as alternating between lifting, handling paperwork, or less physically exhausting tasks. Supervisors should look out for signs of fatigue, such as slower movements or poor posture, and adjust schedules proactively.
4. Create a safety checklist
A practical safety checklist serves as a step-by-step guide for safe lifting practices so you don’t overlook critical precautions. It might cover:
- Assessing the load (weight, stability, size)
- Clearing the path (remove obstacles, check for slippery surfaces)
- Inspecting equipment (check slings, forklifts, and other tools).
- Planning the lift (determine if help or mechanical aids are needed)
- Using proper technique (bend knees, keep back straight, avoid twisting)
To create your own lifting safety checklist, you can start with our pre-made checklists at Lumiform, then edit these accordingly and share them with team members.
5. Be thorough with training
To tie all of these together, workers should get comprehensive, hands-on training that’s not just about the theory. It should cover core topics like:
- Proper lifting techniques
- Correct use of equipment
- Recognizing hazards
- Emergency procedures
- Workplace policies and regulations
For example, everyone doing lifting should learn how to assess a load’s weight and stability, how to secure shifting items, and how to maintain proper posture throughout the lift. There should be clear, practical demonstrations, with interactive sessions so workers can try these out under supervision. Follow these up with regular refresher courses to keep safety top of mind.
Digitally track lifting safety compliance
Paperwork on the job site is annoying and can mean a long trip to the office. A digital tool like Lumiform makes it easier to access and secure documents and share information about discovered incidents during inspections. This not only saves time but also increases safety when handling lifting equipment.
Any workplace with lifting operations should place special emphasis on complying with regulations and taking steps to protect workers and the environment. A cost-effective and reliable inspection solution like Lumiform is the right solution.
With Lumiform’s mobile app and desktop software, safety officers and employees benefit from the following features during lifting:
- Use lifting safety checklists anytime, anywhere, and on any mobile device via the app, even when you’re offline.
- Easily document any issues by taking pictures and writing comments.
- Assign and track corrective and preventive actions to staff in real time.
- Solve problems faster by collaborating with the team through the app.
- Share the automatically generated inspection report with the appropriate personnel immediately upon completion for immediate action.
- Save all information securely in the cloud and access it at any time.
Try Lumiform for free and see how it can transform lifting safety in your workplace!