Lifting injuries

Improper lifting of items at work causes most work related back injuries. If you are experiencing back pain due to repetitive lifting and carrying of objects at work, you may be entitled to compensation.

Back pain is commonly caused by the following: 

• Poor body posture when lifting, pushing, pulling or carrying a package. 
• Repetitive lifting of awkward objects such as equipment, boxes or even patients. 
• Trunk twisting while lifting. 
• Bending while lifting items. 
• Incorrect hand distance from lower back while lifting. 
• Reaching while lifting. 
• Lifting an object that is too heavy for one person to handle safely. 
• Grip on the load being lifted. 
• Floor surface or poor footing on a slippery surface or uneven ground. 
• Poor layout of the work area.

The other factors to take into account are: The build of the person doing the lifting, the distance to be covered and the obstacles on the route.

How does the health and safety law protect you?

The health and safety law requires employers to avoid manual handling operations where it is reasonably practical.

Manual handling operations include the lifting, putting down, pushing, pulling, carrying or moving by hand or by bodily force of any object.

If your job involves manual handling, your employer is required to carry out a risk assessment of the risks created by his operations in order to identify what actions he needs to take to eliminate or lower the risk of harm.

Employers are required to assess all the risks in the work place that could cause harm to employees or members of the public. Risk is the chance that a hazard will cause harm. A risk may be large or small but the employer must assess it and take appropriate action.

Proving that Your Employer Was at Fault

You will be able to prove that your employer was to blame if you can show that:

1. Your employer failed to avoid the need for you to carry out the manual handling operation when the task involved a risk of causing you injury; 
2. Your employer negligently failed to make suitable and sufficient risk assessment of the task of handling the object at a distance from your trunk or the fact that the function was likely to involve awkward bodily movement or posture; 
3. Your employer failed to provide you with training and information about the weight and on how to handle loads correctly and the risks involved; 
4. Your employer failed to take appropriate steps to reduce the risk of injury to you; 
5. Your employer failed to provide enough number of staff to assist you in carrying out the lifting tasks; 
6. Your employer failed to warn you of the risk of back injury.

What is needed to win your case

• Your written statement. Its important that you make an accurate note of what happened (the weight, distance, time etc) and why it happened
• You should report the accident to your supervisor or manager and ensure that it is recorded in the accident record book. If you are not well, do not sign the accident Report
• You should attend your GP or hospital. 
• You should also make a note of any previous complaints by you or your colleagues. 
• Record any action taken by your employer after the accident to remove the danger.
  

If you are experiencing back pain due to repetitive lifting and carrying of objects at work, give us a call on 0800 321 3287 for free advice. You may be entitled to make a personal injury claim for compensation.