According to a 2001 study conducted by the Bureau of Labor Statistics, 36% of workplace injuries causing employees to miss work days are due to shoulder and back injuries, many of them because of improper lifting. Under the Occupational Safety and Health (OSH) Act of 1970, all businesses are required to provide safe and healthy workplaces for their team members. To minimize the risk of injury, and to perform due diligence to avoid non-compliance with federal regulations, it is critical to communicate safety guidelines and requirements and to clearly post them where all crew members loading and operating vehicles can easily see and understand them. All guidelines and requirements for proper lifting are designed to reduce injury and increase efficiency. Safety begins right at home base – the shop. Before your field crews can travel to the job site, they must be equipped with everything they need to perform the work outlined in the customer agreement. Injuries on the job can lead to significant physical, emotional, and financial costs for both your business and the affected individuals. They can also lead to lost time and dissatisfied customers. Proactivity in your business includes taking consistent measures to avoid injuries and to maximize billable time so customer agreements are fulfilled efficiently and time- and cost-effectively. Simply put, when safety takes priority, everyone wins.