The Proper Way to Lift

NIOSH recommends that one person lift no more than 50 pounds at a time when the lifting can be done using the following "best practices":

• When you pick up or set down a load, do not reach more than 10 inches away from your body.
• Do not twist your body.
• Lift with your legs, not your back. Keep your back as straight as possible.
• Lift the load using a solid, two-handed grip.

If the nature of the load or work conditions do not permit best-practice lifting, then the 50 pound limit should be reduced to a safer weight.

There are a number of assessment tools available that may assist in analyzing lifting jobs. Refer to the links at the end of this course for more information.

To learn more about Construction Ergonomics visit our Construction Ergonomics Online Training web page.