Safe Lifting
Lifting Heavy Objects Safely
| Check the Weight | Make sure to handle the weight safely. |
| Clear Path | Ensure the path is clear and free of obstacles. |
| Stance | Stand with your feet shoulder-width apart. |
| Bend Knees | Bend your knees while keeping your back straight. |
| Grip | Hold the object with a firm grip. |
| Brace Core | Tighten your stomach muscles to support your back. |
| Lift with Legs | Use your leg muscles to lift the object. |
| Keep Close | Keep the object close to your body. |
| Move Slowly | Lift smoothly and avoid sudden jerks. |
| Avoid Twisting | Turn your whole body, not just your back. |
| Ask for Help | If it’s too heavy, ask a team member for assistance. |
Support your spine as you lift:
- Plant feet well apart as close to the load as possible
- Tighten your abdominal muscles to help support the load and take a deep breath
- Bend from the hips and knees and not the waist. Lifting with bent knees is stronger than lifting from a squat
- Keep your back straight as you stand smoothly.
- Keep your chin out and up to straighten the spine.
- Keep your hands shoulder width apart if possible.
Hold the load to avoid accidents:
- By keeping arms as close as possible to the body.
- By using the palm of your hand as well as your fingers to hold the load.
- Keep your eyes on the load for advance warning ex: panic.
Walk slowly and smoothly: Turning with your feet not your waist. Maintain good posture.
Protect spine when putting down: This is a key danger time as animals will often wriggle on descent.
- Straight back, deep breath, bend at knees and hips, chin up.
- Always keep load close to body.
- Ensure load is securely placed and you are balanced before standing up again.
Minimize Risks by:
- Avoiding twisting the torso. Move the feet and not the body and be careful of the animal moving suddenly and causing you to twist.
- Avoiding multiple lifts – you are more likely to be injured if you are tired.
- Consider if there is another way to avoid the lift – ex: ramps, steps, asking the animal to jump (if safe).
- Asking another person to help with the lift, especially if the animal is likely to panic.
- Keeping things at waist height as far as possible to avoid lifting and bending.
- Knowing your limits. Don’t be a hero, don’t lift more than you can handle.