Essential Question??

• What are body mechanics and

why are they important to a
healthcare worker?
 Body Mechanics

And Ergonomics: Ways to prevent

injury!
 Body Mechanics
• Refers to ways the body
moves and maintains
balance, while making the
best use of all of its parts.
 4 Main Reasons for Good Body
Mechanics
• Muscles work best when used correctly
• Correct use of muscles makes lifting,
pulling and pushing easier
• Proper use of body mechanics prevent
strain and stress and saves energy.
• Proper use of body mechanics prevents
injury to self and others.
 8 Rules
1. Broad base of support- feet 8-10 inches
apart, one foot slightly forward, balancing
weight on both feet, and pointing toes in
direction on movement.
2. Bend from hips and knees & keep back
straight. NEVER bend at the waist.
3. Use strongest muscles to do the job.
Back muscles are the weakest, so use
arms, hips, thighs, and shoulders.
 8 Rules
4. Use weight of body to help push or pull.
Avoid pulling or lifting when it is possible
to push.
5. Carry heavy objects close to the body.
Also, stand close to object or person
being moved.
6. Avoid twisting your body as you work.
Move entire body when you change
direction.
 8 Rules
7. Avoid bending for long periods of time.
8. If patient or object is too heavy, get help
either from another person or from
equipment.
 Exercise
• While standing at your desk, use a broad base
of support.
• Place a textbook on the floor.
• Bend from your hips and knees to pick up the
book and return to standing.
• Place book between thumb and forefingers and
hold book straight out in front of you. Now move
the book in toward your body. Notice the
difference? Which way is easier?
 Ergonomics
• Science used to promote safety of person
by adapting environment and using of
mechanic techniques to avoid injury.
• Over 75% of healthcare staff are injured
each year due to poor body mechanics.
• Ergonomics includes correct placement of
furniture and equipment, training muscles
and avoiding repetitive movement to avoid
injury and accidents.
 Activity & Skill Check Off
Practice body mechanics with your partner
doing a peer check off with page 110 in
your workbooks. You will be individually
checked off on proper body mechanics
skills and this will count as a test grade.
After you have been checked off-complete
workbook page 109 questions 1, 2, & 3.
If you finish the workbook questions, you
can use computer for semester project
work
 Wrap up
• 1. Why use good body mechanics in
healthcare?

• 2. What is a broad base of support?

• 3. Which is best? Pushing or pulling and

why?