Ergonomic
Heavy lifting and manual handling
Strains and sprains from lifting, carrying, and placing heavy or awkward materials. There is no OSHA lifting standard, so controls come from planning deliveries and using mechanical help.
Where it shows up
- Carrying drywall, block, and bagged material
- Setting doors, windows, and fixtures
- Repetitive lifting from the ground
Controls, most effective first
Work down the list. Rely on PPE only for the risk the controls above it cannot remove.
| Level | Control |
|---|---|
| Eliminate or substitute | Have material delivered and staged close to where it is installed |
| Engineering | Carts, dollies, material lifts, and vacuum lifters |
| Order smaller bags or lighter units when available | |
| Stage material at waist height | |
| Administrative | Two-person lifts for heavy or awkward items |
| Keep loads close and avoid twisting | |
| Rotate tasks during long material moves | |
| PPE | Gloves with good grip |
PPE to list on the JHA
Work glovesSafety-toe boots
OSHA standards
| Citation | Title |
|---|---|
| OSHA | Ergonomics (OSHA safety and health topic) |
Federal OSHA construction standards. State plans can be stricter, and owners or contracts can add requirements. This page is general information. Check the full standard for your work.
Guides and toolbox talks
| Oct 5, 2026 | How to Write a Job Hazard Analysis (JHA): Step-by-Step Example |