Lift with Care to Limit Back Pain

Injuries caused by poor lifting and handling practices can cause major back pain. To avoid these unpleasant and often inhibiting injuries, remember these safe lifting and carrying recommendations while you are doing chores around the house.

Safe Lifting and Handling Techniques

Lifting from ground level:

• Get as close as possible to the load and bend down at your knees; not your back.
• Get a good grip on the object and test its weight.
• Keep the load close to your body and lift up with your legs.
• Be aware of your balance and what part of your body is doing the work – it should be your legs. 

Lifting from a shelf, desk or counter:

• Pull the load close to your body and test its weight.
• Shift the weight of the load to your legs by keeping it close.

Lifting from overhead:

• Make certain you are standing on a stable surface before you attempt to lift.
• Test the load to be sure that you can lift it safely.
• Take the object off of the shelf carefully and maintain your balance.
• Maintain control of the load, and bring it down to waist level. 

Carrying heavy loads around the house:

• Look ahead to make certain your path is clear.
• Avoid stairs if possible. If you must use the stairs, hold the banister or wall to maintain your balance.
• Have someone else hold doors and gates open for you.
• Change direction by moving your feet, not your hips.
• Keep your shoulders, hips and feet pointing in the same direction.
• Never twist at the waist while you are carrying something heavy.
• Always set the load down if it becomes too heavy to avoid straining a muscle. 

Setting down heavy loads:

• Bend at your knees, not your waist and set down the corner of the object closest to you first.
• Remember to keep your fingers out from under the load as you set it down.

Safe lifting and carrying techniques can help you avoid strains, sprains and other painful injuries. Whatever the task at hand, make sure to ask for help from a family member when the load is too heavy for you to handle on your own!

For more information on avoiding back injuries and questions regarding your insurance, contact your agent.