Back Injuries in Restaurants Checklist

Preventing Back Injuries

• Are hand trucks available for moving heavy loads?
• Are employee instructed to ask for help when lifting heavy loads?
• If possible, are you having the distributor set beer kegs, soda syrup, and other heavy items?
• Have you asked distributors to deliver goods in smaller portions, to reduce the weight of supplies?
• Are you storing heavy items off the floor, so that an employee does not need to lift below knee level or above shoulder height?
• Are carts available for moving goods? Store goods at cart level for easy transfer of heavy items from the shelf to the cart.
• Are abdominal (back) belts being used? If so, have the employees received training on how to use the back belt and its limitations?
• Are all new employees being trained in proper lifting techniques during their initial training period?
• Are employees that must stand in one area provided with floor mats to help reduce back and spine stress?