How should you lift a heavy object to avoid back injury during landscape work?

• A. Bend at the knees, keep the back straight, load close to body, and ask for help if needed
• B. Bend at the waist and lift with the back
• C. Twist while lifting
• D. Jump while lifting

Answer: (A)

Lifting with proper body mechanics is about using your legs, not your spine, to move heavy loads. Bending at the knees and hips while keeping the spine in a neutral position unloads the back and uses stronger leg and hip muscles to do the work. Keeping the load close to your body reduces the lever arm, which lowers the torque the spine has to resist. If the object is too heavy or awkward, getting help or using a dolly, wheelbarrow, or other aid prevents overstraining the back.

Bending at the waist and lifting with the back, twisting while lifting, or jumping while lifting all increase the risk of back injury by placing more stress on the spine or creating instability. So this approach—knees bent, back straight, load near the body, and help when needed—is the safest and most effective way to lift in landscape work.