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© 2011, Safe Workplace Promotion Services Ontario,
publicly known as Workplace Safety & Prevention Services.
1 877 494 WSPS (9777) | 905 614 1400 | www.wsps.ca
Loading Docks and Warehouses
Hazard: Lifting Below the knees
and Above the Shoulders
Details
Workers must keep bending forwards at the
waist to put boxes on the lower levels of pallets
Some loads come in too high and need to have
the top rows removed to fit into bin bay
Many times, receivers start to lift right after
sitting on the forklift for long periods of time.
Muscles tire quickly when you work in a fixed or
awkward position, causing higher risk of injury
Threat
Lower and upper back injuries
Shoulder injuries
Carpal tunnel syndrome
Tennis elbow
Shoulder bursitis
Safe Work Guidelines
Make sure that you have had enough training on
lifting hazards and proper lifting techniques
Ask your employer for ergonomically designed
tools to reduce the stress on your body
Pay attention to the postures you use when
working
Whenever possible, rotate duties so that you can
vary your postures
Adjust the height of the forks to get your load to
an ideal height
Use a stable step stool or platform to reach high
items and place extra product on raised skids
Allow time to warm up your back muscles after
sitting on the forklift and before hand-bombing
Consider using forklift attachments like slip-
sheet clamps or carton clamps
Hazard: Adding or removing
Strapping
Details
Shippers often bundle or crate items with
strapping. The strapping may break and cause
injury, especially to the eye
Loose strapping that has been cut off bundles
becomes a tripping hazard
Threat
Potential eye injury from broken strapping
Bruises
Broken bones
