Whether
you are lifting or moving a heavy object, such as a person or a piece
of equipment, there are guidelines that
should be followed to protect
the back from being injured. Improper lifting can result in lower-back
injury.
Following is an overview
of proper lifting technique.
 Stand
with feet shoulder
width apart in front
of
object. |
 Always
lift with your legs,
not with your back. |
Correct Positioning.
Stand directly in front
of the load, with feet about shoulder width apart. One foot should be in
front of the other for balance.
Plan the Lift.
Before attempting to lift
or move something heavy, it is important to step back and analyze what
needs to be accomplished.
Think about how heavy the
object is, how far it has to be moved, where it is going to end up? What
is the shape of the
object? Is it cumbersome,
will it be easily manipulated? Is it a two-person job? Is there anything
in the way that needs to be moved prior to lifting?
Bend your knees, tighten
stomach, and keep the
item close to your body
when lifting. |
Move your feet by pivoting
on the toes, not by twisting
at the stomach. |
Get Help if Needed.
If the load is too heavy,
DO NOT TRY TO LIFT IT ALONE. Find someone who can help carry it, or if
possible, break the load
into two smaller, more manageable
loads.
Bend the knees and tighten
the stomach muscles. Using both hands, grasp the object firmly and pull
it as close as possible
to your body.
Lift With the Legs --
NOT THE BACK.
Since leg muscles are stronger
than back muscles, lift with the legs, until they are straightened. Avoid
jerky movements.
Keep the natural curve in
the spine; don't bend at the waist. To turn, move the feet around by pivoting
on the toes, not by
twisting at the stomach.
When it is time to set the
load down, it is very important that it is done correctly. Reverse the
procedures for lifting to
minimize the strain on the
back. If the load is going to set on the floor, bend the knees and position
the load in front of you.
If the load is to go at
table height, set it down and keep in contact with the load until it is
secure on the table.
For more information about
protecting against back injuries, as well as information about preventing
other work-related
injuries, click
here.
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