Movement: The Most Overlooked Injury Prevention Tool

When discussing safety in utility construction, there is much emphasis – and rightfully so – on topics like trench shoring/shielding, confined space entry and fall protection. Sometimes, however, risky tasks are overlooked because they appear routine.

Working at low heights underground, using tools for extended periods of time, and lifting and transferring materials are all tasks that workers perform every day. However, frequently performing these tasks with poor technique can result in a musculoskeletal disorder (MSD).

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The good news is that workers can protect themselves from MSDs by focusing on how they move their bodies. When team members learn how to move properly, we’ve seen injury rates plummet by over 60%. Compare that to the 26% effectiveness of ergonomics, and it’s clear that employees should be taught how to move on the job.

These 3 tips will help workers establish strong fundamental movements so they can avoid injuries.

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3 WAYS TO MOVE STRONGER

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#1) Working underground & at low heights

The Hip Hinge utilizes the strong muscles in your legs while keeping the spine in a neutral position.

The lower back is a problem area for many people working underground constructing buried pipelines, digging trenches, or performing any task close to the ground. When you’re crouched or bent over for extended periods, it’s easy for the back to round, resulting in a shearing force on the spine – a common cause of nagging back pain.

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To counteract this rounding action, try a Hip Hinge:

  1. Squeeze your abs to create stability through the core
  2. Begin to bow by hinging at the hips
  3. Slide your hands down your thighs until they reach your knees
  4. Maintain your ab squeeze and hip rotation as you work
  5. Stand up by driving your hips forward and squeezing your glutes

When you’re crouched or bent over for extended periods, it’s easy for the back to round.

The Hip Hinge utilizes the strong muscles in your legs while keeping the spine in a neutral position and protecting the small muscles in your back. It’s the strongest movement we can make, and is also the foundation for a strong lift. The pictures show the difference between hinging your hips and rounding your back.

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#2) Small, repetitive movements

Repetitive tasks, such as cutting piping, shoveling or using a torque wrench may not seem dangerous to the common observer, but over time these movements can add up to serious injuries if they’re performed poorly. The key to avoiding a repetitive strain injury (RSI), like Carpal Tunnel Syndrome, is in how you position your shoulders, elbows, and wrists.

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Place your wrists into a neutral, straight position. Cranking them in any direction adds unnecessary stress.

Before picking up that tool, make sure you check these boxes:

  1. Place your wrists into a neutral, straight position. Cranking them in any direction adds unnecessary stress.
  2. As you address the work or tool, keep your hands in a “thumbs-up” or “thumbs-out” position whenever possible. This helps to keep your shoulder from rolling forward into a weak, injury-causing position.
  3. To compare, try a “thumbs down” position and see how it feels on your shoulder (difference pictured below).

A “thumbs-down” position can lead to your shoulder rolling forward into a weak, injury-causing position.

Repetitive strain injuries are often hard to identify and treat because they’re the cumulative result of months or years of poor movement. Establishing strong movement habits is step #1 for reversing the trend.

 

#3) Lifting and carrying materials

Moving and transferring materials is a dangerous game. Overexertion injuries involving lifting, pushing, and pulling cost U.S. businesses $13.1 billion per year. Clearing a staging area for pipeline construction, for example, involves lifting and moving materials of various sizes, shapes, and weights across terrain. This kind of movement is intense and involves the whole body.

The quickest and easiest way to prepare your body for movement is to BRACE.

The quickest and easiest way to prepare your body for the movement is to BRACE:

  1. Squeeze your Butt to engage the muscles in your lower body
  2. Rotate your Hips forward
  3. Engage your Abs
  4. Tuck your Chin to align your head over your spin
  5. Pull your Elbows in, and your shoulders back and down

Once you’ve engaged a strong BRACE, you can relax – but hold that strong posture! Regressing into a weak position as you go to lift or bend will increase your chance of injury. Finally, avoid planting your feet and twisting your spine as you lift and transfer. Instead, take smaller pivot steps so that you can keep the work directly in front of you.

 

BUILDING A STRONG WORKFORCE

Numerous OSHA regulations, ergonomic tools, and safety gear requirements (like respirators) are in place to ensure that the working environment is safe. There are no regulatory guidelines, however, in place for leveraging your body to perform both fundamental and highly challenging job tasks. By empowering your workforce to move their bodies in strong positions as they work, we can eliminate the nagging pains that add up to lasting injuries. Utility professionals who are able to avoid RSIs will be on track toward a successful, pain-free career.

John Leo Post is the co-founder and VP of product for Worklete, a technology platform that reduces musculoskeletal injuries for shipping and logistics companies by over 50% on average. A renowned movement expert, John is driven by the mission to make quality movement accessible to all and empower humans to live pain-free lives.

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