Guidelines of using good body mechanics?

Answer 1

The general guidelines of "good body mechanics" apply whether you are home lifting boxes, or working and lifting patients. The goal of good body mechanics is to protect the worker's back and joints, and prevent worker or patient injury.

First

Know your limits. Learn to evaluate the situation and ask for help if the patient or the worker could be injured.

Second

Use standard practices in deciding whether you can do a lift, how to do it, or whether you will also need equipment.

Third

Explain to the patient what you will be doing, and what you need the patient to do (or not do). Explain before bringing in equipment or extra people. There's nothing worse than having a patient terrified or in a panic because they were asleep or unaware of your intentions.

Fourth

The practice of good body mechanics is to use your body in ways that protect the joints and back. Back strain, sprain, and disk injury are the highest injuries among workers in America.

Fifth - specific body area, your knees

Bend your knees and squay when lifting from the floor. Don't bend from the waist. Keep feet flat on floor, one slightly in front of the other, and about a foot or two apart. This allows you to "rock" backwards as you lift an object up in front of you.

Sixth- specific body area, your back

Don't bend from the waist, use your knees. Keep feet apart but flat on floor. If a patient can help themselves, they should use their own strength with your help during a lift. If bringing a patient to a standing position, don't pull on their arms or you can injury the shoulders or wrists. Instead, go under their underarms with their arms on your shoulders, or on your waist. As you lift, rock back to give their body room. Don't press your body against their body or the patient can be forced off-balance.

Consult your textbook or your employer's manual for more details. If unsure about lifts, ask your supervisor to train you.