Which practice puts a factory worker at risk for injury when lifting a heavy object?

Which practice puts a factory worker at risk for injury when lifting a heavy object?

• A. Wearing a back brace and bending at the waist to pick up a heavy object
• B. Bending at the waist to pick up a heavy object
• C. Lifting with proper technique
• D. Using a dolly or hoist to move heavy items

Answer: (B)

Bending at the waist to pick up a heavy object places the load on the lower back and uses the spine as a lever, so the back muscles do most of the work. This creates high compressive and shear forces on the lumbar discs and raises the risk of strains or disc injuries, especially if the load is heavy or you twist while lifting. The safer approach is to hinge at the hips and knees, keep the back straight, hold the object close to the body, and lift with the leg muscles. Using a dolly or hoist reduces or eliminates manual lifting, further lowering risk. A back brace by itself doesn’t correct the lifting technique and can give a false sense of security, so the hazardous factor remains the bending at the waist.

Bending at the waist to pick up a heavy object places the load on the lower back and uses the spine as a lever, so the back muscles do most of the work. This creates high compressive and shear forces on the lumbar discs and raises the risk of strains or disc injuries, especially if the load is heavy or you twist while lifting. The safer approach is to hinge at the hips and knees, keep the back straight, hold the object close to the body, and lift with the leg muscles. Using a dolly or hoist reduces or eliminates manual lifting, further lowering risk. A back brace by itself doesn’t correct the lifting technique and can give a false sense of security, so the hazardous factor remains the bending at the waist.