There were over 280,000 warehouse employees in 2023, with the number consistently rising in the years prior. That means hundreds of thousands of people could be lifting heavy loads at any given time. With that many people, it can be hard to maintain manual handling training standards, meaning that safe lifting practices can easily fall behind.
Even with the assistance of tools like pallet trucks and dock levellers, plenty of people can get sloppy when it comes to picking up and moving heavy items. This blog will offer guidance on heavy lifting in the workplace, focusing primarily on purely manual load handling.
Always assess the load and the lift
Before you actually start lifting, you need to consider whether you’re actually going to be able to handle the lift alone. Consider aspects like the size, shape and, obviously, weight of the object, giving a few test nudges. If it’s bulky, heavy or otherwise going to be awkward, don’t be ashamed to ask for help or use moving and handling equipment. Similarly, you should be confident that you can check that the load is secure, meaning nothing’s going to wobble or shift, with all sharp edges properly covered.
Safe lifting preparation isn’t just about assessing the load. You should also take the time to pin down your destination, ensuring the path to the destination is free from obstructions and tripping hazards.
Technique for heavy lifting in the workplace
Sometimes manual lifting is unavoidable, which is why you need to keep proper technique in mind. The primary principle? Minimising strain on the back and maximising the use of your legs.
- Stand close to the load with your feet shoulder-width apart, one foot slightly in front of the other.
- Bend your knees, not your back. Squat down and keep your back straight to engage your leg and hip muscles.
- Maintain a straight back with your chest out and head up, to keep the spine in its best alignment.
- Use both hands to get the firmest grip on the object, using any obvious holds if there are any.
- Lift smoothly with your leg muscles in an upward motion, holding the load as close to your body as possible.
- Avoid twisting or jerking your back or torso, changing direction by pivoting on your feet.
- Finally, set the load down in its final location, essentially reversing the same technique you used to lift it up.
These are the steps that every heavy lift should take to ensure that it’s completed efficiently and without injury.
Essential preparation for safe lifting
Beyond the mandatory warehouse health and safety training that everyone should go through, there are plenty of effective ways to prepare your body and workplace for the best lifting practice.
Regular lift training and physical conditioning, such as workouts, stretching and warming up core lifting muscles should be encouraged and guided among staff. Similarly, the workspace should be regularly reviewed for ergonomic agreeability. What processes could be optimised to make life easier for staff?
Safe lifting requires good sense
One of the most important elements of a safe lift is knowing when to take some extra help. Being aware of your own limitations is vital. There’s nothing wrong with asking for a second set of hands or using some warehouse lift equipment to make your life easier. The sting of bruised pride might be a little painful, but it’s nothing compared to a slipped disc. There’s a reason all these lifting tools and technologies were invented after all!
Follow these principles and safe lifting in a warehouse should come as second nature.
