Safety Spotlight: Personal Protective Equipment and Lifting Techniques

By 
Jamie Loken

With Covid-19 considerations at the forefront of our minds, we may overlook other proactive measures that help keep us safe and healthy. As we head into summer, the Health and Safety Committee would like to highlight a few areas where employees can take steps to stay well every day — personal protective equipment (PPE) and lifting techniques.

Differing Environments at Pacific University

  • Medical clinics
  • Classrooms
  • Labs
  • Offices
  • Kitchens
  • Lawns, greenhouses, farms
  • Physical fitness facilities
  • And more...

Whether you work onsite regularly or rarely, it's important to remember that being onsite may take you into different areas with varying safety considerations. 

Personal Protective Equipment

Though some employees may require PPE for their jobs, it's important for all employees to have awareness of the environments they are in. If you're in an unfamiliar area and aren't sure if you need specialized PPE, ask someone familiar with the environment. If you're an employee who requires PPE for your job, make it a priority to stay attentive and up-to-date on equipment policies and best practices. Talk to your supervisor if you're not sure what type of PPE may be necessary in your work environment, or you see opportunities for improvement. 

Learn more about PPE injury prevention from Saif.

The Covid-19 pandemic has made us all more aware of the benefits of PPE. If you're not an employee who requires specialized equipment considerations, keep yourself and others safe. Be sure to follow recommended Covid-19 PPE guidelines. You can find information about Covid-19 specific PPE suggestions on the Pacific University webpage..

Lifting Techniques

Thoughtful movement is critical to everyone's well-being. Whether lifting is part of your job duties or not, it is often part of most day-to-day activities. From moving file boxes to making furniture adjustments, it's important to pay attention to protect against injury with mindful lifting techniques. 

Saif's Workplace Ergonomics: Safe Lifting Techniques

  1. Assess the load and plan the lift.
  2. Position your body in front of the load. Spread your feet shoulder’s width apart for balance; put one foot back to boost stability.
  3. Lift with knees flexed using your leg muscles, but avoid deep squatting. Maintain the natural curve of your spine throughout the task.
  4. Position load close to your body; tighten abdominal muscles.
  5. Shift the load to one side so you can see where you’re going.
  6. When putting the load down, maintain the curve of your spine and use your leg muscles for motion and support.

Additional Safe Lifting Technique Resources

A Message from the Pacific University Health and Safety Committee

Tuesday, April 27, 2021