Risk Management

This column uses fictitious case histories to introduce important loss-control principles. The details for these case histories are not meant to represent any particular occurrence. Any similarities to living people or actual events are purely coincidental.

Mel, a roof mechanic, had worked for Guild Roofing for almost three years and was known for being strong. In fact, Mel had had some success as a defensive lineman on his high school's football team.

Although Mel never used proper lifting techniques, he was able to lift and carry heavy materials all day. During Mel's first year with Guild Roofing, some of his co-workers showed him how to properly lift heavy bundles of shingles and other materials. Mel politely listened but disregarded their advice. After all, Mel knew he was strong and could effortlessly lift materials.

"What difference does it make?" Mel thought. "As long as I get the work done, who cares how I lift?"

Time passed, and Mel worked hard, drawing a steady paycheck. One morning, Mel bent down to pick up a bundle of asphalt shingles. As he began to lift the bundle, he felt a sharp twinge in his lower back. Mel dropped the bundle and slowly straightened his body. The pain in his back sharpened, and he inhaled quickly, surprised by the pain's intensity. Mel asked his supervisor whether he could take a break because his back hurt. Mel's supervisor told him to rest.

Mel sat in a truck for a few minutes. When he felt better, he went back to work. Throughout the day, however, Mel noticed the pain in his lower back had returned though it was less severe.

The next morning, Mel's back hurt so much he had trouble walking and had to call in sick for the first time. Mel's back pain continued, and he didn't return to work for two days.

Once Mel returned to work, Bob, a foreman at Guild Roofing, coached him about proper lifting techniques and how to prepare for lifting. First, Bob told Mel to check a path of travel to make sure no obstacles would get in his way while carrying a heavy load. Bob suggested Mel check the weight of an object he intended to lift by trying a test lift. If a load was too heavy, Mel was told to ask someone for help.

Then, Bob advised Mel to stretch to loosen and prepare his muscles for lifting. Bob showed Mel how to safely lift objects by placing one foot beside and one foot behind a load making sure both feet securely are placed on the ground. He instructed Mel to firmly grip an object and tuck his arms and elbows against his sides. Bob explained that if Mel held up his head while lifting, his spine would remain in its natural curved position. Bob said Mel's legs should support an object's weight and by keeping an object close to his body, his back would be better protected from strain and injury. Bob had Mel practice the technique several times.

Although Mel used the proper techniques for awhile, he soon returned to his old way of lifting—using brute strength. During the next six months, Mel suffered recurrent back pain. Several episodes kept Mel out of work. Mel listened to Bob and his co-workers, but he stubbornly refused to follow their advice.

Before long, Mel's back hurt nearly every day. He often felt tired and, much to his dismay, noticed smaller, less muscular roof mechanics were able to work with more energy and without back pain.

One day, while Mel was cleaning the lawn of a house that he and his crew had reroofed, he bent over to pick up a small piece of debris. Suddenly, Mel felt a sharp pain in his lower back that was more intense than any he had felt before.

Mel was in severe pain and had difficulty standing up. He could not finish the job. Mel was given a ride home and could not return to work for two weeks. Mel visited a doctor who told him he had a slipped disc in his lower spine. The doctor instructed Mel to visit a chiropractor. The chiropractor provided a course of back therapy treatments and warned Mel if he continued to abuse his back, he eventually would require surgery. The chiropractor advised Mel to always use proper lifting techniques and if a load seemed too heavy to lift alone, he should ask his co-workers for help.

When Mel returned to work, using proper lifting techniques became a habit. Whenever Mel found himself forgetting to stretch or about to lift an object without using the proper technique, he would stop and remind himself that strength alone was not enough. There was a smarter, safer way to get the job done.

Peter Greenbaum is NRCA's manager of education programs.