Plan your lift :- Use safe moves when lifting

Plan your lift :- Use safe moves when lifting

First, avoid lifting if possible. Use mechanical lifting equipment whenever available. Try pushing or rolling rather than lifting.

If a manual lift is absolutely necessary, follow these four safe moves for lifting:

1. Lift from a Position of Power: Do this by keeping your eyes and chin up. Face forward. Keep eyes parallel to the floor. Doing so helps maintain a neutral curve in your back.
2. Keep the load close: Always keep the load close to your body. The closer the better. Handling the load away from your body can increase the chance for injuries such as strains and sprains to the shoulders, arms and back.
3. Use a staggered stance: Having one foot in front of the other puts you in a better position of power. Doing so makes for a more stable lift and gives you better balance which helps decrease the chance of back strain when lifting.
4. Nose follows toes: When moving a load, use your feet to change direction, avoid twisting. Moving your feet in the direction you plan to travel eliminates unnecessary strain on your back.

These lifting techniques are not fail proof, but they can reduce the strain on your back and help prevent injury.

Other keys to safe lifting:

• Plan each lift. Know your route and clear a path if necessary. 
• Communicate your lift with others. When needed, get someone to help.
• Don’t jerk the load. Make each lift in a smooth motion