When you’re doing a physical activity, how many times have you heard someone say, “Put your back into it, mate!” When moving house, that’s the opposite of what you should do. Every year in Australia, approximately 40,000 serious injury claims are made as a result of manual handling, which includes pushing, pulling and lifting.
Sure, Aussies are always keen for a bit of DIY if we can save a few bucks, but what are the risks if you decide to take on the heavy lifting yourself? In this article, we’re weighing up safety versus the savings and providing a few tips to help you avoid getting an injury.
How heavy is the risk?
Sydney University OSH has advised that lifting any weight over 16kg without assistance is potentially hazardous. The common injuries that result from heavy lifting accidents are strains, sprains, cuts and bruises. Some injuries, especially back strain, can have a long recovery period. Sometimes, these injuries cause permanent damage. Your hard-earned money saved on moving costs might very well be spent on medical bills. Know your limits and stick to them.
Prepare
No matter how much or little lifting you do on moving day, moving house is still strenuous on the mind and body. It’s well known that moving house is in the top 10 of stressful events in our lives. Plan your move in advance. Buy protective clothing. Organise and clear clutter. Note all the obstacles you’ll need to negotiate and make plans for how you’re going to deal with them. Use common sense and don’t wait until the last minute to ask for help.
Dress for success
Treat moving day like any date where it’s important you’re wearing the right clothes. Unlike a romantic date, you’re going to want to wear whatever you have that’s most comfortable. Avoid any clothes that are loose-fitting or baggy as they can catch on door handles or other objects. Wear breathable clothes and consider your personal comfort throughout the day.
Protective clothing comes next. You’ll want shoes that protect your feet and toes from any dropped objects. Steel-capped boots are ideal if you have them. Invest in a pair of good quality gloves that protect your hands from cuts and bruises. Make sure they also assist your grip and avoid any gloves that make objects harder to hold or control.
Don’t put your back into it
Strained backs are one of the most common injuries that happen to people when moving house. Backs are easy to strain if you’re not using good lifting technique. Your body has two pivot points for bending down to pick up an object: hips and knees. You should always bend at the knees. This puts the load onto the strong muscles in your upper legs. Bending at the hips puts the load onto your lower back. Quite simply, backs aren’t designed to handle this type of work.
Use brains and brawn
There are easier ways to move heavy objects than muscle alone with a little thought and the right equipment. We’ll talk more about this subject in a later article, but if you are moving soon, investigate lifting straps, rollers, sliders and trolleys to assist you.
How to guarantee no injuries at all
The easiest way to guarantee you’ll walk away from moving house injury free is to call in the professionals. Not only do we have the right people and equipment to move any object anywhere, we’ll also reduce your stress by making the move a breeze. You might also find our quote hurts a lot less than getting an injury and paying medical bills. Contact us if we can be of any help.