Safe Work Methods Training

Proper Lift/Lower and Push/Pull - continued

3. Bend at the Knees Not the Waist. We are all familiar with this step, but what we may not understand is why this is so important. By bending at the knees we actually lower our “power zone” closer to the object we are attempting to pick up. The power zone is the area of our bodies roughly between our shoulders and from the top of our shoulders to just above mid-thigh. This rectangular area of our body is the place where we can generate the most power and control over the object we are trying to move. If we bend at the waist, we leave our power zone above the object, well out of range of a powerful and controlled lift. This is why our backs become so vulnerable to injury when we lift this way.

4. Grasp Opposite Corners, if Possible. Many pieces of freight are not equally weighted on each end, so picking them up presents an opportunity for the object to shift while lifting. This could cause us to lose our balance. Grasping opposite corners allows us to compensate for shifting weight.