Bend your knees to lift with ease. From moving planters to picking up paint cans, lifting correctly is key to preventing injury. Here are a few tried and true rules for lifting safely and preventing back injury.
Stand close to the load to be lifted. |
Place your feet shoulder-width apart. |
Bend your knees and keep your back straight. |
Squat down to the level of the object and test the weightof the load. |
Ask for help if the load is too heavy or awkward! |
Use the strength of your leg and arm muscles (not your back) to smoothly and slowly lift the load. Try not to jerk when lifting. |
Keep the load close to your body. |
Never twist your body while turning and carrying the load. |
Pivot to turn in the direction you want to move toward. |
Bend your knees and slowly lower the load to its new location. |
