Lifting, Repetitive Motion and Posture Safety for Electricians

Short answer: Your employer is responsible for providing a safe workplace, including controlling lifting and repetitive motion hazards. NIOSH recommends no more than 51 lbs for one person only when its recommended lifting practices can be followed, and a lower limit when they cannot. Ask your supervisor about carts, lifts, team lifting and ways to reduce awkward postures. Report work related pain or injuries early using your employer’s reporting procedure.

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Why this matters for an electrical apprentice

NIOSH identifies frequent lifting, stooping, kneeling, twisting, gripping, stretching and overhead reaching as risk factors for work related musculoskeletal disorders (WMSDs). These include back problems, carpal tunnel syndrome, tendinitis, rotator cuff tears, sprains and strains (NIOSH Simple Solutions).

OSHA lists the same risk factors: doing the same task over and over, awkward body postures, pushing and pulling heavy loads, and lifting heavy items. OSHA also says employers are responsible for providing a safe and healthful workplace (OSHA Ergonomics).

This page helps you know what to expect and what to ask. This page is general awareness information, not jobsite safety instruction. Your employer is responsible for required safety orientation and training. For general jobsite rules, see Texas electrician jobsite safety basics.

Lifting and carrying

NIOSH recommends that one person lift no more than 51 lbs, and only when all of these best practices can be followed (NIOSH Simple Solutions):

Do not reach more than 10 inches away from your body to pick up or set down the load.
Do not twist your body.
Lift with your legs and keep your back as straight as possible.
Use a solid two handed grip.

When you cannot follow those practices, NIOSH says the 51 lb limit needs to be lowered.

What helps on site:

Carts and dollies, including rolling carts for pipe and conduit, and stands that hold material while you install it.
Mechanical lifts and hoists instead of carrying material up by hand.
Storing material at a convenient height off the ground and planning laydown areas so it is moved fewer times.
Two people for heavy loads. OSHA gives “heavy loads are only lifted by two people” as an example of a work practice control (OSHA control hazards).

NIOSH also says it does not recommend back belts to prevent back injuries, and that exercise programs are not a substitute for other solutions.

Overhead work and repetitive motion

Overhead work is a risk factor for musculoskeletal disorders. NIOSH suggests bit extensions for drills and screw guns so you can hold the tool at waist or shoulder level, lifts that bring you closer to the work, and site rules that limit how long people do overhead work without a break.

For hand intensive work, NIOSH points to power tools in place of manual tools to reduce force and twisting, tools with a power grip, offset handles that keep your wrist straight, and power tools meeting stricter hand arm vibration requirements. It lists hand-arm vibration syndrome as a risk with tools like rotary hammer drills.

OSHA adds task rotation to cut the time of continuous effort, and extra staff to cover breaks (OSHA control hazards).

Floor level work and long postures

For floor level work, NIOSH says your risk goes up when you stoop or kneel often or for long periods, and more if you twist in those positions. Its suggestions: raise the work to waist height on a table or sawhorses when you can, use tools with extension handles so you can stand, and use knee pads or other padding when kneeling on a hard surface cannot be avoided.

Report pain early

OSHA says early reporting, diagnosis and intervention can limit how bad an injury gets (OSHA identify problems). Under OSHA’s recordkeeping rule, your employer must set up a reasonable way for you to report a work related injury or illness, tell you how it works, tell you that you have the right to report, and must not fire or discriminate against you for reporting (29 CFR 1904.35).

NIOSH identifies pain, tingling or numbness in the hand, wrist or arm as possible signs of carpal tunnel syndrome, with symptoms often felt at night. Aches, pain or soreness that do not go away after a night’s rest are also warning signs. Report work related symptoms through your employer’s procedure.

Pre-task body check

Before you lift or start a long task

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I have discussed the load’s weight and whether lifting equipment or another worker is needed.
For heavy or bulky loads I have a cart, dolly, lift or a second person.
I have reviewed how the material will be moved and where it will be stored with my supervisor.
I can pick it up close to my body without twisting.
If this task involves overhead work, I have asked about a lift, tool extension or breaks. Otherwise, this does not apply.
If this task involves floor level work, I have padding or a way to raise the work. Otherwise, this does not apply.
If this task involves prolonged repetitive work, I know when breaks or task changes happen. Otherwise, this does not apply.
I know how to report pain or an injury at this company, and to whom.

How to ask without sounding like you are slowing the crew

“This reel is heavy. Can we grab the cart, or can someone take the other end?”
“My wrist has been tingling after drilling. Who do I report that to?”

Your foreman and employer decide the equipment and setup. Your part is to speak up early.

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How much can one person safely lift on a jobsite?

NIOSH recommends no more than 51 lbs for one person only when its recommended lifting practices can be followed, including keeping the load within 10 inches of your body, avoiding twisting, lifting with your legs, keeping your back as straight as possible and using a solid two handed grip. When those conditions cannot be met, the recommended weight limit is lower. This is not a universal safe lifting limit.

Can I get in trouble for reporting pain?

OSHA’s recordkeeping rule says your employer must not fire or discriminate against you for reporting a work related injury or illness, and must tell you how to report.

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