1. Back Injury Prevention Program
Purpose:
This policy sets the expectation of safe lifting practices and policies while at work to
ensure a safe employee environment. It is a company expectation that employees will
take reasonable care of heir own health as well as that of their co-workers and guests. All
job descriptions within the company involve lifting responsibilities; therefore, all
employees are responsible for the implementation of the safe lifting techniques.
Improper lifting techniques are the number one reason for workplace injuries and missed
worked days in our industry.
Policy:
To equip employees for safety success at work, the following shall happen:
The Back Injury Prevention Program will serve as policy for all employees
Training shall occur during new hire orientation and renewed annually.
Additional resources shall be available through out the year from the safety
officer and management.
Procedures:
Following are the basic steps of safe lifting and handling:
Stretch for safe lifting at the beginning of each scheduled shift.
Size up the load and check overall conditions. Prepare loads of a reasonable
weight as defined by your job description when possible.
If the load is too heavy or awkward request a team lift or mechanical lifting
device for safety. Use assistance whenever possible.
Employ proper bod mechanics to facilitate a safe lift.

2. Steps for Safe Lifting:
Take a wide stance with your legs
Maintain neutral spine alignment
Tighten your core muscles to protect your back
Squat bending at your knees
Grip the object with both hands
Keep the load close to the body for stability and strength
Lift smoothly and evenly with your legs, not your back.
Look up and ahead to maintain spine alignment
Stabilize the load prior to moving.
Team Lifting:
Team Lifting must be coordinated and a top safety priority for all employees. Always ask
for a team lift when available. Ideally, employeesshould be approximately the same size
to execute a team lift.
Compliance:
It is the responsibility of all employees to protect their own health and safety, as well as
that of their co-workers and guests. Non-compliance will follow the following escalation
process:
First offense of unsafe lifting practices or failure to react to unsafe lifting
practices will result in a verbal warning and remedial training by supervisor.
Second offense, will result in a written warning and remedial training with the
safety officer and a probation period will be ninety days.

3. Third offense will result in a final warning and remedial training with a probation
period of one year.
A fourth offense will normally result in disciplinary action up to and including
termination.
Employees are required to report all injuries to the supervisor on duty. The supervisor
will complete an Incident Report ad work with Human Resources to complete and
submit. Human Resources will maintain reports, statistics, and follow up with the
employee and insurance carriers. The Safety Officer and Human Resources will hold any
employee who fails to report an injury in a timely manner accountable.