NIOSH Launches Safe-Lifting App

NIOSH Launches Safe-Lifting App

Improper lifting is one of the most common causes of muscuskeletal disorders (MSDs). And MSDs are attributed to nearly one-third of all work-related injuries that require time off. In fact the National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH) says MSD injuries cost $45 to $54 billion in lost productivity and healthcare treatment every year.

In an effort to curb these numbers and protect workers from MSDs, NIOSH has launched a new safe-lifting app for smartphones and mobile devices.

Dubbed the "NLE Calc," the new app is based on the organization's previous app, the Revised NIOSH Lifting Equation. It focuses on providing an internally recognized standard for lifting heavy objects. 

According to a press release, NIOSH designed the NLE Calc app to help workers in industries such as manufacturing, healthcare and retail, many of whom are required to lift heavy objects on a regular basis. The app works by calculating a lifting score based on various criteria to help workers optimize their approach for less strain and a lower risk of injury.

Along with providing a lifting score, the NLE Calc app also offers recommendations to reduce the risk of injury when lifting. These recommendations include holding the object/load close to your body; avoid twisting your body; raising the load until it's parallel to your waist before carrying; and reducing the distance the load must be lifted.

When you think of industries with a high risk of MSD attributed to improper lifting, healthcare probably doesn't come to mind. Nonetheless, healthcare workers have one of the highest rates of such injuries due to constant lifting. While healthcare workers typically don't lift boxes -- not often at least -- they do lift patients. And being that patients can easily weigh 150 to 200 pounds, it takes a physical toll while increasing the risk of MSDs, especially when improper lifting techniques are used.

NLE Calc is a quick and simple way for a worker to assess their risk for injury before they manually lift an object,” said NIOSH Director John Howard, MD in a statement. “The information workers used to find in a manual is now in their back pocket and can help prevent one of the most common, and costly, work-related injuries.”

You can download the NIOSH app and learn more about MSDs and how to prevent them by visiting https://www.cdc.gov/niosh/index.htm.

Sep 13th 2017

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