1. Safe Lifting (200 lbs.) (40 lbs.) 100 lbs. 10 lbs.
Think of your back as a lever.
With the fulcrum in the center, it only
takes ten pounds of pressure to lift a ten
pound object.
(40 lbs.)
(200 lbs.)
If you shift the fulcrum to one side, it takes much more force to lift the same object. Your waist acts like the fulcrum in a lever system.
Lifting a ten pound object puts
100 pounds of pressure on your
lower back.
100 lbs.
10 lbs.

2. The Great Herniated Tomato Experiment A Herniated Back Comparison
Imagine placing a tomato between the palms of your hands and applying pressure with both hands. It is well within our abilities to apply enough force to cause the tomato to burst.
Now imagine using another tomato and apply force while at the same time twisting your hands is opposite directions. The tomato would burst under much less force.
The results would be similar but the latter example would happen much quicker and with less warning.

3. Bend your knees - not your back! Keep your back straight!
Safe Lifting
Use Your Head and Save Your Back!
Bend your knees - not your back!
Let your legs do the lifting
STAND close to the load
Get Help with heavy or awkward loads!
Keep your back straight!

4. Safe Lifting Carrying the load…
Hold the load close so you can see over it.
Keep the load balanced.
Avoid twisting the body.
Watch out for pinch points -- doorways, etc.
Face the way you will be moving.

5. Safe Lifting From hard-to-get-at places...
Get as close to the load as possible.
Keep back straight, stomach muscles tight
Push buttocks out behind you.
Bend your knees.
Use leg, stomach, and buttock muscles to lift -- not your back.