Scout's Toolbox Talks

Awkward body positions — twisting, reaching, or bending to one side — are a leading cause of soft tissue injuries during manual lifting. It might feel faster to “just grab it,” but it's also how you end up hurt.

Why It Matters:

Your spine is strongest when upright and aligned. When you twist while lifting, your discs and muscles take on uneven forces — especially under load. Even lightweight objects can cause long-term damage when lifted from awkward angles, like under stairs, behind machinery, or inside vehicles.

The solution? Take a moment to reposition the item or your body before lifting. If that’s not possible, ask for help or use a mechanical aid.

Key Points:

• Avoid lifting with one hand while reaching or leaning.
• Square up your body to the object before you lift.
• Reposition the load if it’s in a tight or off-center spot.
• Break the load down into smaller parts if possible.
• Use tools or ask for assistance rather than forcing a bad lift.

✅ A safe angle is a strong angle.

Ask the Crew:

• Have we repositioned anything awkward today before lifting?
• Are we watching out for teammates lifting from bad angles?

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