Tips For Lifting

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It is no secret that lifting is responsible for causing back problems for millions of people. It is important to be very careful when lifting any object heavier than five pounds. To lift properly, squat down by bending at the knees, keeping your back straight. Squat from your hips and not from your waist. DO NOT TWIST! Remember that your legs are a great deal stronger than your back. Grasp the object firmly, keeping it as close to your body as possible. Lift using your legs while keeping your back straight. Move slowly, carefully and smoothly. Once holding a heavy object, keep your shoulders and hips facing the same direction, and continue to hold the object close to your body. If your job requires a lot of lifting, use a lumbosacral support belt to help protect your lower back.

It is important to never lift an object that is too heavy for you, or because of its size and shape is too awkward for you to lift comfortably. Do not bend over at the waist or twist while lifting, and avoid lifting higher than your shoulder. Please let us know if you need any further instruction on proper lifting. Don’t injure yourself - we are here to help!