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Body Mechanics
DID YOU KNOW?
2/3 of workplace musculoskeletal injuries (MSI's) are related to poor workplace design or the use of unsafe body mechanics while completing work tasks. SAFE Work MB reports that between 2020-2022 there was an average of 1170 lost time claims annually related to MSI's. This accounted for an average of 36% of all lost time claims between 2020-2022¹.
When an employer knows or should have known that a job can cause musculoskeletal injury, they must have a competent person assess the risks and take measures to minimize them.These requirements are outlined in Part 8 of the Manitoba Workplace Safety and Health Regulation².
Body mechanics is a term used describe the ways that we move our body as we go about our daily lives. This includes how we hold our bodies when we sit, stand, lift or carry objects, and sleep. Body mechanics is a combination of body posture, balance, and motion. These influence how our movements are coordinated and places stress on our body. The stress of poor body mechanics on the soft tissues in our bodies can result in musculoskeletal injuries (MSI's). When body mechanics are performed correctly, our body alignment and balance allow us to complete movements with decreased energy which assists to minimize our risk of injuries.
GOOD BODY MECHANICS
Feet should be shoulder width apart, with one foot slightly in front of the other to provide a strong foundation for the movement.
Maintain a neutral posture through your spine – ears should be over your shoulders, and shoulders over your hips.
Get into a “power position”, squat slightly so that your knees are bent, and there is slight bend at the hips. This will allow you to use the big muscles in your legs to do the work.
Your arms should be bent at 90 degrees with your palms up and elbows tucked in at your sides.
Get a grip on the object to be moved. Keep wrists in a neutral, straight position with your palms facing up. Grasp the object with your whole hand, not just your fingers and thumb.
When lifting loads, keep them close to your body and between your shoulders and hips. Avoid lifting in the “danger zone” (above shoulder height and below your knees).
Face the direction that you are moving the load. If you need to turn, use a weight shift or pivot to avoid twisting at the waist.
Power Position
TASK RISK ASSESSMENT
To minimize your risk of a musculoskeletal injury while performing tasks in your workplace perform a pre-task risk assessment.
Begin by assessing yourself:
How are you feeling today? Are you tired? Do you have an injury?
Do you feel capable of completing the task required?
Do you require assistance from a co-worker to safely complete the task?
Assess the environment around you:
Do you have a clear path? Plan your move and be sure your path is clear.
Do you have access to any required equipment (e.g. resident lift, trolley, or cart)?
Assess the load:
How heavy is the load? Test the load, is it solid, will the contents shift?
If moving a patient/resident has their transfer method been determined? Are any changes in the patient/resident noted that might trigger a change in transfer status?
Is the shape and size of the load awkward or large? Do you require any equipment?
Use good body mechanics:
Remember to minimize your risk of injury by keeping your body in a “power position” to promote the use of the big muscles in your legs to lift or move objects.
References
1 https://www.safemanitoba.com/topics/Pages/Injury-and-illness-statistics.aspx
2 https://www.gov.mb.ca/labour/safety/pdf/whs_workplace_safety_act_and_regs.pdf
Image 1
Archer-Heese, Rachel, Lifting, n.d.
