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Carrying heavy school bags
Carrying heavy school bags is a massive concern for students and their families. The prevention of back pain and other musculoskeletal injuries is important for students’ current well-being and their long-term health.
Students may experience
- Fatigue
- Muscle strain
- Back pain
- Distortion of the spine’s natural curves
- Rounding of the shoulders.
Research shows that, where possible, backpack weights should be less than 10% of the student’s body weight. The School and parents should work together to achieve this goal.
What can we do to reduce the risks?
Reducing the load
- Investigate if students can store books at school and only carry home those needed for homework.
- If your child insists they need to bring home more books than they can comfortably carry, consult with their teacher.
- Regularly clean out the school bag since your child may be storing unneeded items.
- Regularly ask your child if their backpack is causing fatigue or pain. If so, lighten the load and adjust the fittings.
Backpacks
Backpacks, rather than traditional school bags or sports bags with handles, allow the load to be carried more evenly over both shoulders.
The purchase of well-designed back packs and their correct use is an important factor to promote good posture and minimize effort in carrying school bags.
Backpacks with compartments, padded straps, and hip strap assist in distributing the load evenly throughout the bag and on the student’s body are best.
Rolling bags with an extendable handle and wheels are an option for students however, these must be lifted up stairs and can cause trip hazards during transit in crowded areas and when left in access ways.
Rolling bags may not be suitable when traversing uneven terrain.
Technology has changed the way students learn and play. Increased use of electronic learning tools does offer future alternatives to heavy textbooks including CD options and web-based information. The negative aspect of increased engagement with technology however is extended computer use and a concurrent increase in sedentary activities. These are common factors in the lives of many children and adults
Keeping active is an important part of forming and maintaining a healthy body for later life
Tips for Selecting a Backpack
- Do not try to save money by buying the biggest backpack you can find. Make sure the backpack is appropriate to your child’s size
- When the shoulder straps are adjusted, the bottom of the backpack should be just above the child’s waist. The backpack should not be hanging low over the buttocks
- Look for features such as:
- Adjustable shoulder straps
- Moulded frame and/or adjustable hip strap, so that the weight of the filled backpack will rest on your child’s pelvis instead of their shoulders and spine,
- Rear of the backpack is padded for comfort,
- Separate compartments to help with packing.
- Children are fashion conscious and vulnerable to peer pressure. Your child will need to like the backpack so let them help chose it. This will help their acceptance and improve the chances of your child wearing the backpack appropriately.
- If the style you choose is ‘uncool’, your child may compensate by carrying the backpack in a ‘cool’ way, such as over one shoulder.
Reminders about Correct Use of a Backpack
- When fitted correctly, the backpack should contour snugly to the child’s back, rather than hang off their shoulders.
- Pack the heaviest items closest to the student’s spine this will help with comfort and balancing the load.
- Use the backpack’s compartments to pack items securely and minimize the load moving around during transit
This keeps the load balanced.
- Remind (or help) children to clean out their bag regularly so they are not carrying around unnecessary items.
- Remind your child to wear the pack over both shoulders.
- When loading a backpack onto the shoulders and unloading a backpack from the shoulders this should be done at bench height whenever possible to avoid twisting the spine.
Warning signs that a backpack is too heavy include
A change in posture when wearing the pack;
Struggling when putting on or removing the pack;
Pain when wearing the pack;
Tingling or numbness in arms;
Red marks on shoulders
Moving and Handling Training and Advice with Atlas Safety Training
Training Advice and Risk Assessments are provided by Margaret J.Carton R.N. Moving and Handling Specialist.
Margaret J Carton can be contacted through this website and 0874153091.
Atlas Safety Training courses meet the State requirement
Under the Safety, Health and Welfare at Work Act, 2005 and General Application Regulations 2007 and all General Application Regulations it states that all employees in all industries must carry out manual handling training. This course provides safe manual handling techniques that can greatly reduce the risks involved in heavy lifting. Back injuries caused by incorrect manual handling techniques are one of the most frequent causes of workers compensation claims.
Safe pupil handling and safe manual handling techniques can greatly reduce the risks involved in heavy lifting.
About my Manual Handling Course and Backcare Health and Safety Training
Participants who have completed my course will be able to assess a load, which is heavy or awkward and choose the safest method of dealing with it. Understand the limitations of the spine and muscular system. Lift and handle loads safely (both inanimate and animate). Carry out risk assessments in the work place.
Course Content:
- Legislation
- Dangers of unsafe lifting
- Overview of safety legislation
- Anatomy of the spine and muscular system
- Safe lifting points
- Injuries associated with manual handling
- Importance of exercise and nutrition
- Competence testing
- Dangers of careless and unskilled methods
- Principles of levers and laws of motion
- Anatomy of the spine and muscular system
- Potential harm through incorrect pupil handling techniques
- Importance of physical fitness
- Personal protective equipment
- Relevant handling aids and techniques
- Normal body movement
Learning Outcomes:
Upon successful completion of this course participants will gain the skills and knowledge necessary to:
- Recognise a load which is too heavy or awkward
- Explain their legal rights and responsibilities
- Understand the limitations of the spine and muscular system
- Conduct a pupil animate/inanimate risk assessment
- Lift and handle pupils safely
- Understand correct lifting techniques
My Course is Designed For:
All staff that engage in manual handling and pupil handling activities during their working day. Those employees who are exposed to situations where the risks cannot be eliminated or reduced sufficiently.
Training Methodology:
My course complies with the HSA guidelines and is highly interactive with role-playing and practical exercises to reinforce understanding and learning.
Participants should wear comfortable clothing for practical activities.
Participants:
A maximum of 12 per course minimum 3 per course
Certification:
Upon successful completion of this course participants will receive a certificate in manual handling and safe pupil handling.
Lifting children safely
PICKING UP A CHILD FROM THE FLOOR:
Squat down to pick up the baby/child, and bring the child close to you before standing up. If you are not able to squat down, then you can do a semi-squat.
Maintain the natural curves in your back at ALL times.
CHILD IN/OUT OF AREA ON GROUND LEVEL:
Squat or kneel down close to the edge of the area to lower the child or to lift the child.
Maintain the natural curves in your back at ALL times.
CHILD IN/OUT OF CAR:
Stand close and keep your back straight. Bend your knees to put the child in or out of car seat.
Maintain the natural curves in your back at ALL times.
CARRYING A CHILD:
Keep the child close to you, and be as upright as possible. Try to avoid leaning to one side, and try to keep the child centred when holding them.
Maintain the natural curves in your back at ALL times.
Useful Links
The Scottish Government in conjunction with Capability Scotland jointly produced an excellent Guide in 2012 for workers and employers who work with children and young people with moving and handling needs.
In addition the Sydney Children’s Hospital have a useful Factsheet entitled ‘Looking after your Back: Backcare for Parents’ which I suggest you read as a useful guideline.
Training Advice and Risk Assessments are provided by Margaret J.Carton R.N. Moving and Handling Specialist.
Margaret J Carton can be contacted through this website and 0874153091.
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