Everyone has a physical limit to which they can safely push themselves. When pushed beyond this limit, workers may experience an overexertion injury. Overexertion happens when a worker’s daily tasks are greater than the ability of their body. Frequent causes of overexertion injuries include pushing, lifting, holding, pulling, or carrying objects as part of one’s job. These injuries can lead to debilitating pain, high medical bills, physical therapy, and missed time at work.
Preventing overexertion injuries from happening in the workplace requires preparation, mindfulness and the right safety tools. The more aware you are of how you and your team are performing tasks, the better positioned you’ll be to look for more efficient ways to complete them.
Here are five ways to reduce the chances of suffering an overexertion injury in the workplace:
- Optimize storage practices - In many cases, overexertion injuries can be prevented by storing heavier, manually lifted parts in the lifting “power zone” between the knees and the shoulders. Therefore, companies should raise the storage height of heavier parts to waist level, where equipment can be slid directly onto a cart and pushed to the desired location.
- Invest in equipment to prevent strains and sprains - Companies should also consider equipment options that could alleviate your worker’s most harmful repetitive motions, such as hoists, lifting clutch’s, conveyors, trollies and wheelbarrows. An up-front investment in new equipment pays for itself quickly when you consider that a worker with an overexertion injury misses an average of 14 days work!
- Take pain seriously - Continuous pain can be a warning sign of a more serious injury to come. Listen to your body and make sure to avoid performing tasks that contribute to chronic pain.
- Use safe lifting techniques - Keep objects you’re lifting close to your body. Maintain proper posture throughout the lift. Try to lift with your knees instead of your lower back. In addition, ask for help if an object is too large or heavy for you to lift on your own.
- Perform corrective exercises - Whether you are in the same position all day or using certain muscles more often than others, you’ll likely benefit from corrective exercises. These exercises help you correct poor posture and ensure the strength of less frequently used muscles.
Most workplace injuries including overexertion are preventable. It is important that employers give their workers proper training, equipment, and rest to ensure overexertion injuries are less likely. If the right training and work conditions aren’t provided, workers have the right to seek compensation for medical bills, lost income, and other expenses.
At Southland Supply Group, we offer a complete range of safety equipment supplies to help prevent overexertion injuries in the workplace. Browse our website online to find the right equipment you need for your employees.