Which action reduces risk when lifting a load?

Which action reduces risk when lifting a load?

• A. Stand with feet together and bend
• B. Stand close with feet shoulder-width apart and lift with your legs
• C. Lift with your back
• D. Twist while lifting

Answer: (B)

Using proper lifting technique reduces back strain by keeping the load close to your body and using your legs rather than your back. The best approach is to stand close to the load with your feet about shoulder-width apart for a solid base, bend at the knees and hips while keeping your back straight, and then push through your legs to lift, bringing the load up close to your torso. This stance shortens the lever arm on your spine and engages the stronger leg muscles, distributing the effort away from the back and protecting the spine. Bending with feet together places the load farther from your center and makes it harder to control, increasing strain on the back. Lifting with your back concentrates effort on the spine, raising injury risk. Twisting while lifting adds rotational stress that can damage discs and ligaments.

Using proper lifting technique reduces back strain by keeping the load close to your body and using your legs rather than your back. The best approach is to stand close to the load with your feet about shoulder-width apart for a solid base, bend at the knees and hips while keeping your back straight, and then push through your legs to lift, bringing the load up close to your torso. This stance shortens the lever arm on your spine and engages the stronger leg muscles, distributing the effort away from the back and protecting the spine.

Bending with feet together places the load farther from your center and makes it harder to control, increasing strain on the back. Lifting with your back concentrates effort on the spine, raising injury risk. Twisting while lifting adds rotational stress that can damage discs and ligaments.