Avoid Heavy Lifting in Production – Take Care of Your Body Every Day
As a production worker, your body is your most important work tool. Many work tasks involve repetitive movements,
standing work, and not least heavy lifting. If the lifts are not performed correctly – or if there are too many – it can lead to pain,
wear and tear, and in the worst case long-term injuries. Therefore, it is crucial to focus on avoiding unnecessarily heavy lifting in everyday life.
Why is heavy lifting a problem?
Heavy lifting primarily strains the back, shoulders, and knees. Over time, the strain can lead to:
Lower back pain and herniated disc
Shoulder and neck pain
Osteoarthritis and overuse injuries
Increased sick leave and reduced work capacity
Many injuries do not occur from one wrong lift but as a result of repeated strain over a longer period.
Use the right aids
One of the most effective ways to avoid heavy lifting is to use technical aids. This can be:
Lift tables and scissor lifts
Pallet stackers and forklifts
Pallet changers and pallet turners
Vacuum lifters
The aids are there to protect workers – not to slow down work. In fact, they can often increase both efficiency and quality.
Think ergonomics into the workday
Good ergonomics is about adapting work to the body – not the other way around. Small adjustments can make a big difference:
Work at a suitable working height
Avoid twisting your back while lifting
Keep the load close to your body
Change work position regularly
If a lift feels heavy, it is often a sign that the task should be solved differently.
Speak up and lift together
It is important to have a culture where it is acceptable to speak up. If something is too heavy:
Ask for help from a colleague
Split the load into smaller parts
Talk to management about better solutions
Lifting together is better than lifting alone – but the best is to avoid the lift altogether if possible.
The employers responsibility
The employer is responsible for ensuring a healthy and safe working environment. This involves:
Training in correct lifting technique
Access to suitable aids
Workplace design with focus on ergonomics
A good working environment benefits both employees and the companys bottom line.
Take care of your body – also in the long term
Many production workers like to "take an extra lift" to get the job done.
But the body remembers every single lift. By avoiding heavy lifting and working more ergonomically,
you can extend your working life, reduce pain, and maintain your joy of work.
Your body needs to last your entire working life – so take good care of it today.