Kinetic lifting is a fancy term for manually handling objects. It is not only the most common method of moving objects, but it is directly relevant to people looking to move and relocate as they need to lift heavy items and move around furniture.
So, should you rely on kinetic lifting? Are there techniques and tips that make the process safer? Do alternatives exist? This blog post will answer all your questions!
Is Manually Handling Heavy Objects a Good Idea?
Though using kinetic lifting is the most readily available method of moving heavy objects to most people, it has several downsides that should prompt you to look for alternatives:
- Manually handling heavy objects, especially without prior training, can cause injuries.
- The objects you move can get damaged in the process.
- It is both time and labour-intensive.
- The help of friends and family is needed to move items of certain weights and sizes.
Common Injuries When Lifting Heavy Objects
The risk of injury is quite high here – lifting heavy items is in fact the leading cause of injury in workplaces.
Here’s a non-exhaustive list of some of the most common injuries you might suffer from if you don’t follow the proper safety procedures when lifting heavy objects:
- back injury,
- muscle strains,
- leg and knee injury,
- Elbow injury,
- Spinal injury.
Tips and Techniques to Make Kinetic Lifting Safer
Though manual handling is not recommended, there are a few kinetic lifting techniques you can employ to at least make it a little safer:
- Good Posture Is Important
A good posture is key to proper lifting. Keeping your back straight, having a wide stance with your feet shoulder-width apart, leading with your hips, and lifting slowly will lighten the load on your body and help you keep your balance and stamina.
- Wear Gloves
These are gloves designed specifically to aid with furniture moving and heavy lifting. Wearing these gloves doesn’t only protect your hands from injuries, but it also allows you to get a good grip on the object. This reduces strain on your arms and reduces the risk of injuries.
- Avoid Twisting Your Arm or Torso Rapidly
Lifting heavy items already puts a substantial amount of strain on your arms and torso, moving rapidly or turning around quickly compounds this issue and substantially increases the risk of spinal, elbow, and knee injuries. Ensuring a smooth transition and a stable position is key to avoiding injuries when you lift heavy items.
- Make Sure Your Path is Clear
Lifting a heavy object is taxing, and people can easily divide their attention between properly carrying the weight and paying attention to the path they’re walking. In fact, most injuries resulting from carrying heavy weight are due to the person accidentally tripping or stepping on an object that happens to be lying around. This is why you must ensure your path is clear before lifting objects.
Alternatives to Manual Handling Techniques
Whether you want to avoid injuries or save time or energy, you should know that you don’t need to manually handle heavy objects yourself. There are readily available alternatives you can rely on!
At W&W Movers, our team is not only trained in using kinetic lifting techniques but also relies on proper tools and equipment to safely lift and transport heavy household items, pieces of furniture, and other objects to the destination of our clients’ choosing. Our services act as a great alternative to manual handling!
Kinetic Lifting Techniques FAQ
What Are the 5 Principles of Manual Handling?
There are 5 important principles that make manually handling heavy items easier and safer:
- Properly plan how you’ll lift the heavy item.
- Ensure your path is clear.
- Keep your posture straight while in a standing position.
- Pick up and put down the object slowly and don’t make sudden movements.
- Last but not least, if the object is too heavy, Ask for help instead of overburdening yourself.
What Is the Best Lifting Technique?
There’s sadly no one best lifting technique. How to best approach lifting an object depends on the shape and weight of the object, the shape and size of your body, and your physical strength. This complexity is why it is usually recommended to rely on professionals to lift heavy weights.
