Proper lifting techniques
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Proper lifting techniques involve planning the lift by considering the weight and distance, positioning yourself close to the load with feet shoulder-width apart and bending at the knees to lift with your legs, and planning how to lower and release the load by bending the knees and keeping the back straight. For tricky lifts involving multiple people, lifting overhead, or lifting from confined spaces, modifications include designating a leader, using steps or asking for help, bracing against the container, or standing up from your chair.
Proper lifting techniques
- 1. ProperLifting Techniques: 1. Plan the Lift-----Think! • Is this too heavy for me to lift and carry alone? If the object is too heavy to lift alone, don’t be a hero. Get some human or mechanical help. • How high do I have to lift it? • How far do I have to carry it? • Plan the route you will take and ensure that it is free of tripping hazards. 2. Positioning and Lifting: • Stand close to the load with your feet apart for good balance. • Place your feet about shoulder width apart, straddling the load if possible. • Bend your knees keeping your back straight and your buttocks out. • Get a good grip and lift gradually, letting your leg muscles do the work. • Keep the load close to your body with your arms close to your sides. • Don’t twist your body; if you have to turn, move your feet not your trunk • Ensure that you have clear vision over the load. 3. Plan the Release: • Bend your knees to lower the load, keeping your back straight and the weight close to your body. • Allow room for the load without danger to your fingers, feet or toes. • Slide loads into tight spaces. • To deposit a load on a deep shelf, place the object on the edge and push it forward. • Be sure that the load is secure when you put it down. Ask yourself, will it fall, tip over, roll off or be in someone’s way?
- 2. ProperLifting Techniques for Tricky Lifts: 4. Multiple Person Lift • Designate one person to be in charge of the lift to advise when to lift, move, and set the item down. • Each person performs the individual steps above while responding to the instructions of the person in charge. • It is extremely important to listen to instructions, because injuries can occur if one member of the team loses his end. • Lifting Above your Shoulders • It is difficult to lift loads higher than your shoulders • Use a stepstool or stepladder to place these loads or ask for help. 5. Lifting From Within a Deep Box or Bin • You can modify the basic lift procedure by getting as close as you can to the load, squatting slightly and placing your bent knees against the box or bin. This is the safe procedure for lifting heavy items out of the trunk of a car. • For small light objects, swing one leg straight out behind you, flex the other knee, and use one hand to balance yourself on the edge of the box or bin and then use the other hand to pick up the load. 6. Lifting From Your Chair • If you need to reach something that has fallen off your desk, you may be tempted to lean over and pick it up. Bending from a seated position and coming back up places a tremendous strain on your back. The chair could also slip out from under you. • To perform this lift, stand up and use the above proper lifting techniques. Material developed by: Chad Griffith