Shipbuilding has been described as backbreaking work, but that terminology is outdated and doesn’t reflect modern safety standards in the workplace. You want to ensure that your employees are safe in all ways on the job, and that includes their backs. The onus is on you to train your employees properly and reinforce the need to pay attention to safety at all levels, including ways to prevent back injury. Here are 3 ways you can protect your employees’ backs in your shipyard.
1. Provide Regular Safety Training
Safety training is the top priority for any manufacturing and fabrication company. In a shipyard, you have a lot of things to worry about that require safety orientation from fire and explosion hazards to working in tight spaces around water. But back safety shouldn’t be ignored just because it isn’t as big a topic as the others.
Start with simple lifting directions. Talk about the proper lifting technique of heavy items, including bending from the knees. Talk about team lifts for items that can be difficult to carry with just one person. More importantly, enforce and encourage these good behaviors and habits after training has ended.
2. Require Safety Equipment and Back Braces
Beyond training, you should also require safety equipment such as back braces for any of your employees who will be lifting heavy objects through the course of their work. Back braces can help keep the spin aligned while lifting and take pressure off your lumbar vertebra and redistribute to other muscle groups.
But keep in mind that consistency is key when lifting with a back brace. Your spine will become more vulnerable when the back brace is not being worn on the job. Make sure you work with medical professionals to train for proper use of this safety equipment.
3. Practice Proper Back Health Away from Work
Of course, back health is not something that can be turned on or off while not at work. To promote proper back safety and health, make sure you’re providing your team with methods to stay safe off-site as well. Encourage exercise to strengthen muscles in the lower and upper back. Encourage your team to use proper posture throughout their day.
You may also want to encourage them to sleep in a way that will help prevent back pain. Have them take a look at their mattress or pillows to see if they might be contributing to long-term back pain both on and off the job.
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Do you want to know more ways to protect your team and provide the proper safety orientation? Hutco makes safety a priority, so contact us today.
