Overexertion is the third leading cause of injury in the United States. An estimated 3.5 million overexertion injuries occur every year. Most are the result of lifting, lowering, pushing, pulling or carrying. Back injuries are the most common form of overexertion in the workplace.
Prevent overexertion by:
- Stretching and/or warming up before heavy lifting or strenuous activity.
- Lifting with your legs bent and objects held close to your body.
- Avoiding bending, reaching and twisting when lifting.
- Asking a friend for help when lifting.
NSC has additional materials to prevent overexertion at work and at home. Posters, tip sheets and more are available for free download. For more information on National Safety Month, visit http://nsc.org/nsm.