Whenever you are lifting a person, be sure that the person knows that he/she is going to be lifted and how you plan to do it and where you are going to lift him/her to.
Size up the load to be lifted. Do not attempt to lift alone if you have any doubt about your ability to do so.
Check your footing. Your feet should be apart to give you a broad base of support (good balance).
Get close to whatever is being lifted instead of reaching for it. Move in and hold close. Bring weight within your base of support.
Get yourself 'lined up'; keep your back bowed in; bend at the knees and hips.
Straighten your legs to the lift.
Lift smoothly to avoid strain produced by jerky movements and get together (it's a good idea to count 1, 2, 3) with the person helping you.
Shift the position of your feet to turn, never twist your body. Come up straight and then move feet around.
Push or pull an object (rather than lifting it) whenever you can, and use these same rules. It's safer and easier that way.
Spread this knowledge to others, so that all of us will lift well and safely.
