Move Manual: Health and Safety While Moving	Return to Table of Contents

Health and Safety While Moving

Back Safety

Although you may not be moving your lab contents yourself, you will be packing boxes, moving items out of your way, and stretching and bending over and around objects. To prevent back strain, take the following precautions:

• Never twist, lift an object above shoulder height, or stretch or reach to pick up an object; these are the main causes of back injuries.

• Get as close to the object as possible to prevent excessive back strain. Even a light object lifted at arm’s length can strain your neck and back, particularly if it is done repeatedly.

• Face the object squarely, whether it is a book on a shelf, a reagent bottle, or glassware.

• Do not reach for an object above your head; use a ladder or step stool to face the item at shoulder height, and ask for help to safely hand it down.

• Lift with your leg muscles, not your back. For light objects below waist level, you can counterbalance rather than squat.

For more information regarding safe lifting procedures, please visit the University Health Services web site at:
http://www.uhs.berkeley.edu/facstaff/ergonomics/lifting/index.shtml

Personal Protective Equipment

When handling hazardous materials, be sure to wear the appropriate personal protective equipment (PPE) to prevent exposure to hazards. This may include gloves, lab coat, eye protection, and closed-toed shoes. For more information about appropriate types of eye protection, please refer to the EH&S Fact Sheet “Protecting Your Eyes,” at: http://ehs.berkeley.edu/pubs/factsheets.html

If you are unsure of the hazards of a particular chemical, refer to its Material Safety Data Sheet (MSDS). If a copy is unavailable in your laboratory, the MSDS can be found online from any campus computer at: http://ehs.berkeley.edu/healthsafety/msds.html

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