Lifting (the ergonomic Way)
Paraprofessionals who work with disabled children often have to move them or change their positions. Lifting children the right way can help you avoid back injuries.
THE BACKGROUND OF YOUR BACK
Your
back has natural curves that form an “S” shape. These curves
are important to balance the weight of your body and keep your head up straight.
It’s important to maintain these curves.
- Your back or spine is made of 24 bones called vertebrae that are stacked one on top of the other.
- The vertebrae are held together by bands of tissue called ligaments.
- At the bottom of the spine the vertebrae are joined together to form a base that holds up the rest of your body.
- The spinal cord is a bundle of nerves passing through holes in the vertebrae, carrying messages from your brain to muscles and organs.
- Between the vertebrae are shock-absorbing pads called discs.
- Tendons attach the muscles directly to the vertebrae.
- Muscles enable you to move, hold your posture and keep your back stable.
Ligaments can be damaged by:
- Sudden movements
- Exertion in uncomfortable postures
Muscles can be damaged by sudden movements and:
- Strained by twisting
- Fatigued (tired) by overwork
- Fatigued by awkward postures
- Fatigued by holding a posture too long
- Weakened by repetitive movements
Tendons can be:
- Damaged by the same things as ligaments and muscles.
Discs can be:
- Injured by the same body movements that injure muscles, ligaments and tendons.
- Slipped out of their normal position.
- Ruptured, putting pressure on the spinal nerves.
- Worn out, allowing the backbones to grind together, resulting in nerve
damage.
ERGONOMICS
Although improper lifting is one of the major activities that can trigger
back problems, you can be hurt by catching, transferring, diapering, feeding
and just plain caring for students. However, you can avoid injury by using
basic “ergonomic” principles. (Ergonomic refers to the science
of working safely.)
Ergonomics may include:
- Easy-to-use equipment.
Example: transferring a student with a mechanical lifting device. - Inventing or adapting new equipment that will take the strain out
of the job.
Example: using a stool on wheels that rolls over to a wheelchair or toilet. - Organizing work in new ways.
Example: items used daily are placed on easy-to-reach shelves. - Doing tasks properly.
Example: transferring a student from, say, a wheel-chair to a toilet with the help of a second person.