What safety steps must be taken when lifting objects?

What safety steps must be taken when lifting objects?

• A. Never use excessive force
• B. Use excessive force as needed
• C. Hold your breath while lifting
• D. Jump while lifting

Answer: (A)

Using proper lifting technique is what prevents injuries, and the safest rule is to never use excessive force. Lifting with brute force often means you’re trying to move a load that’s too heavy for your body or using momentum to yank it up, which puts a lot of stress on your back. Instead, plan the lift and use your legs—not your back—to do the work. Think through the steps: assess the weight and distance, and get help or use a hand truck or hoist if it’s too heavy. Stand with feet shoulder-width apart, bend at the hips and knees (not the waist), keep your back straight and chest up, and hold the load close to your body. Tighten your core, avoid twisting while lifting, and exhale slowly as you lift. Move in small, controlled steps, and lower the load by bending the knees, not by bending the back. Clear the path and keep a solid footing to avoid slips. Also, never hold your breath during a lift, and never jump with a load in your hands—these practices increase the risk of injury.

Using proper lifting technique is what prevents injuries, and the safest rule is to never use excessive force. Lifting with brute force often means you’re trying to move a load that’s too heavy for your body or using momentum to yank it up, which puts a lot of stress on your back. Instead, plan the lift and use your legs—not your back—to do the work.

Think through the steps: assess the weight and distance, and get help or use a hand truck or hoist if it’s too heavy. Stand with feet shoulder-width apart, bend at the hips and knees (not the waist), keep your back straight and chest up, and hold the load close to your body. Tighten your core, avoid twisting while lifting, and exhale slowly as you lift. Move in small, controlled steps, and lower the load by bending the knees, not by bending the back. Clear the path and keep a solid footing to avoid slips.

Also, never hold your breath during a lift, and never jump with a load in your hands—these practices increase the risk of injury.