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Lifting and carrying objects while on the job

On Behalf of | Jun 6, 2017 | Workplace Safety

For Many Oklahoma workers, lifting and carrying heavy objects is often part of the job description. However, if someone lifts a heavy item improperly, he or she is at risk for suffering injuries that could include back strains, fractures, cuts and bruises.

According to the National Safety Council, approximately 25 percent of all work-related accidents involved the manual handling of objects. Therefore, there are certain steps employees should take to keep themselves safe while lifting and handling objects. For example, individuals that regularly lift and move heavy objects should try to stay in good shape. If something is too heavy to be easily moved, employees should use mechanical lifting aids or get help from coworkers. In fact, manual lifting should be avoided whenever possible.

There are also several things that employees should avoid doing when lifting and carrying objects. For example, they should avoid twisting or bending sideways as this can lead to strains and sprains. Employees should also avoid lifting an object if they are in an awkward position. If an employee realizes that an object is too heavy for them to carry safely, they should not continue to attempt to carry it.

Although many employers attempt to make their workplace is as safe as possible, workers can still get injured if they are not properly trained to do all parts of their job, which may include routinely lifting and carrying objects. If a person sustains an injury on the job, an attorney that specializes in workplace safety may be able to help him or her file for workers’ compensation benefits. If the employee does not receive enough compensation to cover the cost of his or her medical expenses and a portion of his or her wages, a lawyer may decide to litigate.

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