Transcript Verbal Crisis Intervention

Risk Management
Department
Lifting Safety for
Special Education
April, 2008
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Lifting Safety for
Special Education
Introduction
According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, more than one
million workers suffer back injuries each year, and back injuries
account for one of every five workplace injuries or illnesses.
Further, one-fourth of all workers’ compensation indemnity
claims involve back injuries, costing employers billions of
dollars.
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Lifting Safety for
Special Education
Introduction
Back injuries are exceedingly painful. They are difficult to heal,
and they negatively affect everything a person does.
After you have experienced one back injury, you are much more
likely to experience another one sometime during your lifetime.
It is important to learn techniques and procedures that may
help you prevent a reoccurrence.
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Lifting Safety for
Special Education
Introduction
If, on the other hand, you are lucky enough to have never
injured your back, you can do yourself a big favor by learning
how to prevent one in the future. By learning proper lifting
techniques and the basics of back safety, you may be able to
save yourself a lot of pain.... and a lifetime of back problems.
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Lifting Safety for
Special Education
Introduction
In this training we will cover:
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Anatomy of the back
Types of back injuries
Causes of back injuries
Planning to lift
Weight limits
Safe lifting guidelines
How to prevent injuries
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Lifting Safety for
Special Education
Anatomy of the Back
In order to understand why back injuries are so common, you
have to understand a little bit about the anatomy of the back
and the physical forces that come into play.
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Lifting Safety for
Special Education
Anatomy of the Back
The Spine
 The human spine (or backbone) is made up of small bones
called vertebrae.
 The vertebrae are stacked on top of each
other to form a column. Between each
vertebra is a cushion known as a disc.
 The vertebrae are held together by
ligaments, and muscles are attached
to the vertebrae by bands of tissue
called tendons.
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Lifting Safety for
Special Education
Anatomy of the Back
The Spine
 The lower part of the back holds most of the body's weight.
Even a minor problem with the bones, muscles, ligaments, or
tendons in this area can cause pain when a person stands,
bends, or moves around.
 Less often, a problem with a disc can pinch or
irritate a nerve from the spinal cord, causing pain
that runs down the leg below the knee, called
sciatica. Every time you bend or move, these disks
compress with the motion of the spine.
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Lifting Safety for
Special Education
Types of Back Injuries
If you don't protect your back, you may end up with some
excruciatingly painful spinal injuries, unpleasant things like...
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Herniated discs
Degenerative disc diseaase
Tears in the annulus
Collapsed discs
Spinal stenosis
Stretched or torn ligaments
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Lifting Safety for
Special Education
Types of Back Injuries
 Every time you bend over, lift a heavy object, or sit leaning
forward, you put stress on the components of your back and
spine. Over time, they can start to wear out and become
damaged.
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Lifting Safety for
Special Education
Types of Back Injuries
 Many of the problems that cause back pain are the result of
injury and degeneration of the intervertebral disc.
 Degeneration is a process where wear and tear causes
deterioration, like when your favorite jeans get old. The disk is
subjected to different types of stress as we use our backs each
day.
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Lifting Safety for
Special Education
Types of Back Injuries
 Eventually, disks can collapse or herniate; vertebrae can shift;
bone spurs can develop.
 Acute or immediate injuries to the back can be caused by
tearing or straining ligaments and muscles. Muscles can also
spasm due to stress or tension.
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Lifting Safety for
Special Education
Causes of Back Injuries
Many back injuries cannot be attributed to a single causal
factor; in other words, they tend to be the result of cumulative
damage suffered over a long period of time. However, certain
actions, motions, and movements are more likely to cause and
contribute to back injuries than others.
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Lifting Safety for
Special Education
Causes of Back Injuries
Anytime you find yourself doing one of these things, you should
think: DANGER! My back is at risk!
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Heavy lifting
Twisting at the waist while lifting or holding a heavy load
Lifting or carrying objects with awkward or odd shapes
Working in awkward, uncomfortable positions
Sitting or standing too long in one position
Slipping on a wet floor or ice
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Lifting Safety for
Special Education
Planning to Lift
Having a plan in place for the safe lifting and transferring of all
students will help reduce the risk of back injuries. Being
prepared and well trained to lift and transfer student properly is
an important step in back injury prevention.
Assessment of risk involves analyzing:
 The student
 The care giver
 The environment
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Lifting Safety for
Special Education
Planning to Lift
The Student
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The lifting and transferring needs must also be evaluated
regularly
Has the student’s weight reached a level where they are
now a “two-person” lift?
Can they help with a standing-pivot transfer to the
commode?
Are they on new medication that makes them more difficult
to move?
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Lifting Safety for
Special Education
Planning to Lift
The Student
Other factors to consider are involving the student are:
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Cognitive
Neurological
Sensory
Musculoskeletal
Physical
Behavior
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Lifting Safety for
Special Education
Planning to Lift
The Care giver
Factors to consider are:
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Physical
Experience & Training
Readiness
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Lifting Safety for
Special Education
Planning to Lift
The Care giver
Some things may contribute to your risk of injuring your back:
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Fatigue and stress
Tense muscles
Poor posture and poor body mechanics
Inadequate muscle strength and flexibility
Lack of fitness or poor weight control
Lack of training
Poor planning
Repetition
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Lifting Safety for
Special Education
Planning to Lift
The Environment
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About the space: design, lighting, floor surface, clearance,
accessibility
Care giving equipment: mechanical lifts, grab bars, change
tables, commodes, adapted classroom furniture
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Lifting Safety for
Special Education
Planning to Lift
The Environment
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The wheelchair: footrests, armrests, belts, trays, batteries,
custom seating, “add-ons” ;including feeding pumps,
communication aids, power drives, etc.
Context: time of day, repetition, program demands,
emergency situations
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Lifting Safety for
Special Education
Student Lifts
Weight limits
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The following guidelines suggest acceptable weight limits
dependent on the relationship between the student, the
caregiver(s) and the environment.
Staff shall be considered capable of
lifting up to 50 pounds as required
by job description.
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Lifting Safety for
Special Education
Student Lifts
Weight limits
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Unless otherwise determined by a qualified practitioner and
with consideration of the principles of lifting, staff will
practice a one person lift where the student’s weight is less
than 30% of that of staff (i.e., staff weighs (140 pounds,
student weighs less than 45 pounds). Up to 50 pounds.
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Lifting Safety for
Special Education
Student Lifts
Weight limits
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Unless otherwise directed by a qualified practitioner and
with consideration of the principles of lifting, staff will
practice 2 person lifts for students who weigh between 50100 pounds
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Lifting Safety for
Special Education
Student Lifts
Weight limits
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Unless otherwise directed by a qualified practitioner and
with consideration of the principles of lifting, a mechanical
lift will be used for students who weigh more than 100
pounds.
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Lifting Safety for
Special Education
Safe Lifting Guidelines
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Remember in lifting, transferring, and carrying, your safety
and that of the student are the primary concerns.
Assess how you will lift the student. Move the wheelchair
and student as close to the transfer location as possible.
Plan your transfer and clear the path. Check for obstacles
and obstructions (i.e., furniture, electrical cords, other
students, etc.).
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Lifting Safety for
Special Education
Safe Lifting Guidelines
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Stabilize the transfer surfaces. Lock wheelchair brakes and
any wheeled support.
Wear non-skid shoes.
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Lifting Safety for
Special Education
Safe Lifting Guidelines
 Tell the student what you will do in the lift and what they
will be expected to do.
 Unfasten all straps and belts.
 Keep feet shoulder-width apart to improve balance.
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Lifting Safety for
Special Education
Safe Lifting Guidelines
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Bend mainly at the hips and knees while maintaining normal
back alignment, including an arch in the lower back.
Keep the head, shoulders, and chin UP in order to “lock” the
back into place.
Lift the student as close to his or her center of gravity as
possible, by the waist or crossed arms.
Hold the student as close to your body as possible to
decrease the weight of the load.
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Lifting Safety for
Special Education
Safe Lifting Guidelines
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Instruct and enable the student to help you as much as
possible.
Complete the lift before turning; do not twist your body
while lifting.
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Lifting Safety for
Special Education
Safe Lifting Guidelines
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Use safety devices, including a gait belt, whenever possible.
Transfer the student, rather than lift. Examples of
transferring include moving the student from the floor to a
standing position; from a wheelchair to a mat or chair; and
from a standing table to a wheelchair.
Always transfer rather than lift students who can assist you.
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Lifting Safety for
Special Education
Safe Lifting Guidelines
Two Person Lift
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First lifter (behind the student) folds the student’s arms
across his/her chest. Lifter places his/her arms under the
student’s armpits and grasps student’s forearms above the
wrists. Usually the taller adult stands behind the student.
Second lifter (in front of the student) keeps his/her knees
bent, back straight, slightly bends forward at the hips, and
places both arms under the student’s thighs.
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Lifting Safety for
Special Education
Safe Lifting Guidelines
Two Person Lift
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Lift together by counting. On the count of three, both adults
lift simultaneously by straightening knees while holding the
student closely and firmly.
It is essential to lift in unison with a two-person lift.
Generally, the first lifter (behind the student) does the
counting.
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Lifting Safety for
Special Education
Safe Lifting Guidelines
Hoyer/Mechanical Lift
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The Hoyer lift is a mechanical device that utilizes hydraulics
to lift the student (similar to a hydraulic floor jack).
A sling (similar to a hammock) is placed under the student
and is secured to the Hoyer lift via chains or bars to raise
and lower the student.
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Lifting Safety for
Special Education
Safe Lifting Guidelines
Hoyer/Mechanical Lift
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The use of a Hoyer lift requires a little more time to place
the sling under the student and to detach the chains/bars
once the student has been transferred, but the extra few
minutes it takes may prevent a long-term back injury.
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Lifting Safety for
Special Education
Safe Lifting Guidelines
Ceiling Hoist
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The ceiling hoist is a cordless motorized lift that utilizes a
track system to easily raise and lower a student as well as
move a student to various locations within the classroom.
A ceiling hoist must be professionally installed by a factory
trained technician.
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Lifting Safety for
Special Education
Safe Lifting Guidelines
Ceiling Hoist
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A sling (similar to a hammock) is placed under the student
and is secured to the cross bar of the ceiling hoist via loops.
The use of a ceiling hoist requires a little more time to place
the sling under the student and to detach the sling once the
student has been transferred, but the extra few minutes it
takes may prevent a long-term back injury.
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Lifting Safety for
Special Education
How to Prevent Injuries
The best way to prevent back injuries is to develop
habits that reduce the strain placed on the back. There
are some basic things you can be aware of to help.
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Lifting Safety for
Special Education
How to Prevent Injuries
Body Management
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It's important to know your body's limitations, and it's
important to be aware of your body position at all times.
Learn to recognize those situations where your back is most
a risk: bending, lifting, reaching, twisting, etc. Then take
measures to avoid an injury.
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Lifting Safety for
Special Education
How to Prevent Injuries
Body Management
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Stretch first - If you know that you're going to be doing
work that might be hard on your back, take the time to
stretch your muscles before starting, just like a professional
athlete would do before a workout. This will help you avoid
painful strains and sprains.
Slow down - If you're doing a lot of heavy, repetitive lifting,
take it slowly if you can. Allow yourself more recovery time
between lifts, as well. Don't overdo it.
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Lifting Safety for
Special Education
How to Prevent Injuries
Body Management
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Rest your back - Take frequent, short (micro) breaks.
Stretch. If you've ever been working in an awkward position
for a long time, then stood up and felt stiff and sore, you
know you've been in that position too long, and your body is
now protesting. Taking a one minute stretch break every
now and then can help you avoid that.
Get in shape - Strengthen your stomach muscles, lose a little
weight, increase your flexibility.
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Lifting Safety for
Special Education
You are finished!
You have finished the Back and Lifting Safety training.
Download the quiz from the Risk Management website’s
training page.
Print the form and be sure to write your name, location and
employee number in the spaces provided.
Complete the ten questions and have your supervisor send it
to the Risk Management office
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