MMH - Compact Loads

A compact load can be lifted between the knees.

When lifting, remember to:

• Look and plan ahead. Make sure your path is free of obstructions.
• Stand close behind the load.
• Check that you can get a good grip on the load.
• Wear gloves, if necessary, to prevent scrapes or bruises.
• Straddle the load:
  • Place the leading foot flat beside the load in the direction of travel.
  • Place the rear in the direction of travel.
• Bend the hips and knees.
• Keep your back straight.
• Grasp the load with elbows inside the thighs:
  • Use a power grasp for loads with handles.
  • Use slings or hooks to improve grasp when loads do not have handles.
  • Use blocks under loads without handles to make lifting them up easier and safer.
  • Use a ledge grasp for loads without handles.

• Grasp with one hand at the outer, upper corner, over the leading foot and the other hand on the lower, opposite corner.
• Lean forward with the rear arm straight. This position gets the load moving.
• Stand up by thrusting off with the back leg and continuing in an upward and forward direction.
• Keep the load close to the body.
• Use your thigh and leg muscles, not your back, as you lift in one, smooth motion.
• Keep the rear arm straight.
• Move off without twisting the body.
• Keep the load at a reasonable height so you can see where you are going.

• Take a wide stance with one foot in front of the other.
• Keep the load close to the body.
• Keep the back straight.
• Bend the hips and knees.
• Set the load down onto the ground.
• Keep the load tilted to avoid bruising fingers.
• Remove fingers from under the load.
• Stand up smoothly, easing muscles.
• Avoid jerky releases.