{"id":26486,"date":"2023-11-16T20:06:38","date_gmt":"2023-11-16T20:06:38","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/crewsupply.ca\/?p=26486"},"modified":"2023-11-17T20:29:37","modified_gmt":"2023-11-17T20:29:37","slug":"safe-lifting-at-work-preventing-musculoskeletal-disorders-nov2023","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/crewsupply.ca\/safe-lifting-at-work-preventing-musculoskeletal-disorders-nov2023\/","title":{"rendered":"Safe Lifting at Work: Preventing Musculoskeletal Disorders (Nov2023)"},"content":{"rendered":"
[vc_section css=”.vc_custom_1691694605110{margin-top: -100px !important;}”][vc_row full_width=”stretch_row” content_placement=”middle” parallax=”content-moving” parallax_image=”26540″ background_style=”cover” css=”.vc_custom_1700090546013{background: #ffffff url(https:\/\/crewsupply.ca\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/08\/Z2A0038-scaled.jpg?id=25700);background-position: 0 0;background-repeat: no-repeat !important;}” el_id=”headerHS”][vc_column][vc_row_inner][vc_column_inner css=”.vc_custom_1695157118572{margin-top: 150px !important;margin-bottom: 150px !important;padding-top: 50px !important;padding-bottom: 50px !important;}”][vc_column_text]<\/p>\n
[\/vc_column_text][\/vc_column_inner][\/vc_row_inner][\/vc_column][\/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column width=”1\/3″][vc_column_text]<\/p>\n
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[\/vc_column_text][vc_raw_html]JTNDc3R5bGUlM0UlMEElMjNwYWdlJTNBbm90JTI4LnZlcnRpY2FsLWhlYWRlciUyOSUyMCUyM3NpdGUtaGVhZGVyLmFuaW1hdGVkLWhlYWRlciUyMCU3QiUwQXBvc2l0aW9uJTNBJTIwcmVsYXRpdmUlM0IlMEF6LWluZGV4JTNBJTIwMTAlM0IlMEElN0QlMEElM0MlMkZzdHlsZSUzRQ==[\/vc_raw_html][\/vc_column][vc_column width=”2\/3″][vc_column_text]Setting up and taking down events requires lifting equipment and other items, and at times lifting heavy and awkward objects (e.g., set pieces, d\u00e9cor, truss, projectors). These activities increase the risk of Musculoskeletal Disorders (MSDs), including strains and sprains and other injuries, especially to the lower back.<\/p>\n
According to the Canadian Centre for Occupational Health and Safety (CCOHS), lifting is the most common cause of lower back pain in Canadian workplaces. Since lifting is a common task on our job sites, preparing and planning for the lift and practicing safe lifting and handling techniques are crucial to reduce the likelihood and severity of injuries.<\/p>\n
Before you lift, PLAN AHEAD!<\/strong> Know what you are lifting and how you will lift it.[\/vc_column_text] Stacking and unstacking cases with a partner or in a team can reduce the chance of injury with clear communication and by following these steps:<\/p>\n [\/vc_column_text][vc_row_inner][vc_column_inner width=”1\/2″][vc_column_text]When lifting cases or other objects on your own, follow these safety procedures:<\/span><\/p>\n [\/vc_column_text][\/vc_column_inner][vc_column_inner width=”1\/2″][vc_single_image image=”26496″ img_size=”full”][\/vc_column_inner][\/vc_row_inner][vc_column_text]<\/p>\n On some setups and dismantles, road cases can be too heavy for an individual or a team to stack or unstack safely. In this instance, stacking or unstacking cases will require the use of a forklift. While a forklift can make the job easier, there are safety risks if proper protocols are not followed when working with a forklift and the forklift operator.<\/span><\/p>\n When stacking or unstacking cases with your fellow crew members, it is important to:<\/span><\/p>\n Passing gear up to a crew member on a ladder is a common occurrence on site. This can include passing up video panels, lights or tools.\u00a0\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n It is important for both parties to communicate while the piece of equipment is exchanging hands. This also includes keeping an eye out for the crew member who is on the ladder, reminding them to ensure they are maintaining 3 points of contact with the ladder at all times. If you are the crew member on the ground, it is important to wear your hard hat to protect yourself and prevent injuries from any gear or tools that may fall while in the process of completing this task.<\/span><\/p>\n [\/vc_column_text][vc_row_inner][vc_column_inner width=”1\/2″][vc_single_image image=”26489″ img_size=”full”][\/vc_column_inner][vc_column_inner width=”1\/2″][vc_column_text]Prior to lifting a truss structure by hand, the crew should first discuss the safest way to lift the structure and how many people will be needed based on the size and weight of the structure.\u00a0 Make sure everyone is on the same page and assign one crew member to call the lift and a second crew member to foot the base plate by keeping constant pressure on the plate in a downward force.<\/span><\/p>\n [\/vc_column_text][\/vc_column_inner][\/vc_row_inner][vc_column_text]<\/p>\n Occasionally when packing up an event, we run into the issue of there being too many cases and not enough truck! So, sometimes we have to get creative on how we pack the gear.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n Some cases are small and easy to stack up on top of other cases that have already been strapped in; a process known as top loading. If lifting cases over your head, be mindful of where you place your hands. It’s easy to get your hand or arm caught in a pinch point if you’re not being careful. For cases that are heavy, big, or awkward, take a moment to plan the route or landing spot before lifting the case. <\/span>[\/vc_column_text] Practicing safe lifting techniques will aid in the prevention of musculoskeletal disorders, especially injuries to your lower back. Before you lift, always remember to do the following:\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n [\/vc_column_text] Sr. Crew Lead and Joint Health and Safety Committee (JHSC) member, Kate Rowlands who is also a certified yoga instructor, has prepared this special addition to this month\u2019s blog, providing guidance for creating good habits and preventing musculoskeletal disorders.\u00a0<\/span><\/i><\/p>\n Our job becomes repetitive and can cause bad habits in our bodies, so here\u2019s a few tips to stretch out and get the body ready for work, as well as for building good habits in your body on the job.<\/span><\/p>\n First and foremost, the most important tool for a good stretch is your breath, every inhale and exhale you\u2019re trying to breathe slower and slower. Inhales are used to find length and to realign your posture, exhales are used to go deeper into the stretch.<\/span><\/p>\n <\/p>\n The lazy man\u2019s sta<\/span>nding forward fold. Bend those knees, round your spine, get as comfortable as you can in this position, posture be damned! Then what I really like to do is loosen all the neck muscles and shake my head vigorously side to side. I get a good few cracks out when I do this during\u00a0<\/span>a nice long exhale, but that\u2019s just me. Shaking your head side to side is not always comfortable for everyone so if that doesn\u2019t sound relaxing to <\/span>you remaining stationary is fine too! <\/span><\/p>\n Without straining, use each inhale to feel like your spine is getting straighter (let your torso lift up if that helps) and each exhale feeling space growing between your vertebrae. Your head and arms want to feel floppy and heavy. You might even get a crack down your spine!\u00a0 (I like to do this on a break when most people are out of the room, and I\u2019ll find a road case crowded corner or somewhere more private. Pro tip for those who don\u2019t love the idea of bending over at work lol) We\u2019ve got the classic neck roll, rolling the head back and forth across the chest. Pro tip! If you notice an especially tight spot, you can hold your head there for a full breath or two before returning to rolling. Another good one is sitting or standing up straight and turning your head side to side, keeping it slow, really trying to turn a little bit further every time, using a long exhale to do so. And if it\u2019s really stiff, you can add on to that: when you turn your head to one side, lift your chin as high as is possible to sustain, take a full breathe there, and then reverse back out.<\/p>\n Sit on one of the hundreds of banquet chairs most likely surrounding you right now, or on a road case. Find a straight spine, inhale to find length, exhale, draw the belly button to the spine and feel the twist coming through the upper body.<\/span><\/p>\n Shake and roll out the wrists often. I also really like stretching open the fingers and then curling in the fingers (not like a fist, like a paw lol)<\/span><\/p>\n <\/p>\n If your forearm is feeling tight you can pull back on your hand, bring your wrist to a 90-degree angle, and use your breath to feel the stretch up the forearm.<\/span><\/p>\n Shoulder rolls to open up the chest feels good after you\u2019ve been hunched on the ground for too long, and pro tip for working outside in the cold! With your arms at your side and your fingers actively outstretched, shrugging your shoulders up and then shooting them down quickly will cause blood to rush into the finger tips and will help warm them up!<\/span>[\/vc_column_text][vc_column_text css=”.vc_custom_1700089708530{padding-top: 20px !important;padding-right: 20px !important;padding-bottom: 20px !important;padding-left: 20px !important;}”]<\/p>\n [\/vc_column_text]Safe Lifting Techniques<\/h2>\n
Stacking and Unstacking Cases<\/b><\/strong><\/h6>\n
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Solo LIfting<\/strong><\/h6>\n
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Forklift Safety<\/b><\/strong><\/h6>\n
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Handing Gear to a Crew Member on a Ladder<\/b><\/h6>\n
Team Lifting of Truss Structures<\/b><\/h6>\n
Lifting Gear in a Truck<\/b><\/h6>\n
ACTION REQUIRED<\/h2>\n
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Stretching Techniques<\/h2>\n
RAGDOLL<\/strong><\/h6>\n
\n<\/span><\/p>\nNECK MOVEMENTS<\/strong><\/h6>\n
SEATED TWIST<\/strong><\/h6>\n
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WRIST\/ARM\/SHOULDER MOVEMENTS<\/strong><\/h6>\n
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STRETCH\/MOVEMENT VIDEO<\/b><\/strong><\/h6>\n