Steps Involved in Properly Moving an Object to a New Location.

  The following paragraph takes you through the process of moving (lifting, pivoting, squatting, and carrying) a heavy object. (The same rules would apply to moving a patient.) The object will be moved from a waist high area to a lower area five to ten feet away. The procedure will combine all the rules of body mechanics previously discussed.

  Identify the object to be moved.

  

  Adopt a stable base of support.

  1. Your feet are seperated

  

  2. One foot is behind the other

  3. Your back is straight

Grasp the object at its approximate center of gravity.

Pull the object toward your body's center of gravity using your arm and leg muscles.

Re-establish your base of support and appropriate body alignment.

  1. Your back is straight.

  

  2. You have a stable base of support.

  3.  You are holding the object approximately at waist height and close to   

       your body.

 Pivot toward the desired direction of travel.

  1. Turn on both feet at the same time.

  2. Maintain a stable balance.

  Re-establish a stable base of support and appropriate body alignment.

    1. Your back is straight.

    2. Your feet are apart, one slightly behind the other.

    3. The object is at hip level, close to your body.

  Squat and place the object onto the lower area.

    1. Bend at the knees and hip.

    2. Maintain a straight back.

    3. Maintain a stable base of support.

    4. Use your arms and leg muscles (as needed) for guidance.

    5. Use your leg muscles to resume an upright position.