Practice safe lifting
- Try not to lift more weight than you’re used to carrying. How much you can handle safely depends in part on your level of conditioning. Technique also makes a difference.
- To help avoid back injury, remember to lift with your legs. Here’s how:
- Bend your knees.
- Keep your back straight, even when you’re putting down the load.
- Hold the load close to your body and use a slow, steady lifting motion.
- Don’t twist while carrying something. Instead, turn your feet and your body in the direction you want to go.
- If you need to move something that’s too heavy for you to lift, ask someone to help you. Or, if you’re authorized to use a forklift or other device, use it to move the object.