BOOK MOVES
Health and Safety

{team handling}

Is this too heavy for me to lift and carry alone?
How high do I have to lift it?
How far do I have to carry it?
Am I trying to impress anyone by lifting this?
If you feel that the lift is beyond your ability, ask for assistance.

For health and safety reasons all staff involved in the constant handling and moving of books should receive authorised instruction in the correct ways in which to lift and handle heavy loads.

Contact the University Safety Office for details of their manual handling training sessions.

Use proper lifting procedures

By bending the knees, you keep your spine in a better alignment, and instead of using the back like a crane, allow the legs to do the work.

Follow these steps when lifting:
1. Take a balanced stance with your feet about a shoulder-width apart. One foot can be behind the object and the other next to it.

2. Squat down to lift the object, but keep your heels off the floor. Get as close to the object as you can.

{bend your knees}

3. Use your palms (not just your fingers) to get a secure grip on the load. Make sure you'll be able to maintain a hold on the object without switching your grip later.

4. Lift gradually (without jerking) using your leg, abdominal and buttock muscles and keeping the load as close to you as possible. The closer the load is to the body, the less pressure it exerts on the back. Keep your chin tucked in so as to keep a relatively straight back and neck line.

{hug the load}

5. Once you're standing, change directions by pointing your feet in the direction you want to go and turning your whole body. Avoid twisting at your waist while carrying a load.

{avoid twisting}

6. When you put a load down, use these same guidelines in reverse.

Reduce the amount of weight lifted. If you're moving lots of books, it is better to load several small boxes than one extremely heavy load.

Use handles and lifting straps. Get help if the shape is too awkward or the object is too heavy for you to lift and move by yourself.