Lifting even the lightest of objects can aggravate your joints depending on how you approach the movement, and how you grasp the object being lifted.
Some common challenges faced when lifting include:
- Hand and wrist pain
- Pain or stiffness in the back, neck or shoulders
- Knee and ankle pain
- Fatigue
These challenges can worsen if:
- You’re having to move/work quickly
- You’re taking the load from below the knee or above the shoulder
- You’re working on an uneven or slippery surface
Solution
To ensure your safety while lifting, and to minimise the risk of injury, there are a few key things to consider:
- Risk assessment
Check the company has completed a risk assessment for the load handling, and be sure to receive any relevant training before you begin the task.
- Procedure
Wherever manual tasks are involved, your employer is required to teach/demonstrate the proper procedure so you can complete the task safely. Be sure to review load movement strategies and any relevant written advice before you attempt to lift the object.
- Grip
The grip you use will impact how easily you can lift the object, and how much strain the task will place on your joints.
The best grip to take will depend on the size, weight and shape of the object being moved, but also the point at which you will take the load (i.e. below the knee, waist-height, above the shoulder, etc.).
In some cases, you might benefit from considering alternative grip patterns that place less strain on your joints.
It’s important to keep in mind that if your employer is aware of your diagnosis, it is their responsibility to carry out a risk assessment, as every arthritis patient will have varying needs and abilities. Be sure to raise this with your employer if you feel like your condition isn’t being taken into consideration at work.
Where heavier objects are concerned, it’s always worth asking whether they need to be moved at all. For example:
- Can the activity (e.g. wrapping or machining) be completed safely if the item stays where it is?
- Can raw materials be delivered directly to their point of use?
- Can changes be made to the way objects are stored (i.e. can shelving height be adjusted to allow for easier access)?
- Can adjustments be made to the way objects are loaded (i.e. can pallets be part-loaded, or placed on blocks to aid transport)?
At this point, it might be worth thinking about the benefits of automating your processes, or introducing mechanisation and handling aids, such as conveyors, pallet trucks, electric or hand-powered hoists, or lift trucks.
If you choose to introduce any of these solutions, bear in mind they will still require proper cleaning and maintenance. They’ll also need to be well suited to the work and operated by trained professionals.
