Back injuries caused by lifting and carrying incorrectly are one the most common injuries that happen both at home and in the workplace.
In fact, according to the Daily Mail, nearly 10 million working days were lost in 2015 alone due to back injuries, and the number of days is rising each year.
How to lift safely
Whether in the workplace or in your garage, the guidelines for safe lifting are pretty much the same.
Visually size up the job before you start. Are you actually going to be able to lift it? If, for example, the item looks wider than your arms can stretch, you may need to consider breaking it down into smaller parts or getting someone else to help you. Conversely, even small boxes or items can weigh too much to be lifted by an individual, so try giving it a shove first to assess how heavy it is.
It is always a good idea to clear the route to the item’s new storage place before you start. That way, you’ll be less likely to trip over as your view can be impaired when carrying larger items.
Once you’ve determined that you can lift it on your own, you need to bend your knees rather than you back, so that your legs are doing the work of lifting.
Make sure you have a firm grip on the item so that you do not drop it and damage your legs or feet, then begin to lift slowly by straightening your legs.
Once you’re carrying the item, make sure you hold it as close to your body as possible. This will help maintain your centre of gravity and keep the strain off your back. When you’re ready to put the item down, you simply follow the process in reverse.
Shelve the problem
One of the simplest ways to help reduce the risk in your garage is by adding shelving. This allows you to not only store your items safely at correct heights, but you can also maximise the available space. If you’re looking for industrial shelving in Ireland, companies like https://www.rackzone.ie/shelving/industrial-residential-shelving can help.
Take the pain out of lifting and moving. Know how to do it safely, and use shelving to make the job simpler.
