The safe lifting process

• Assess the load if you are unsure of the weight – gently push or lift a corner to ascertain how heavy an item is. If in any doubt ask a colleague to help you.
• Adopt a stable position – the feet should be shoulder width apart with one leg slightly forward to maintain balance.
• Stand close to the load, bend your knees and keep your back straight. DO NOT TWIST.
• Get a good hold of the load – where possible, the load should be hugged as close as possible to the body with the heaviest side towards you.
• Start in a good posture – at the start of the lift, slight bending of the back, hips and knees is preferable to fully flexing the back (stooping) or fully flexing the hips and knees (squatting).
• Don’t flex the back any further while lifting. This can happen if the legs begin to straighten before starting to raise the load.
• The load should not be jerked or snatched, try to keep the whole action as smooth as you can.
• Avoid twisting the back or leaning sideways especially while the back is bent. Shoulders should be kept level and facing in the same direction as the hips. Turning by moving the feet is better than twisting and lifting at the same time.
• Keep the head up when handling – look ahead not down at the load, once it has been held securely.
• Put the item down and then adjust – if precise positioning of the load is necessary, put it down first and then slide it into the desired position.