In the day to day business of delivering parcels you have to be extremely careful when lifting goods onto and off the van. ‘Keep your back straight, bend your knees’ is something we’ve all been told time and time again. But there’s more to it than that. When loading things onto and off vehicles you shouldn’t twist and turn which is the easiest thing to forget. Always lift the goods with your knees bent and back straight, return to an upright position and then turn to face the vehicle before putting the goods on board. Keep the item close in to your body and not at arms’ length. Also remember what the human body is capable of and what is recommended. The government’s health and safety booklets recommend that a typical male should lift a maximum of 25kgs, but remember that you may not be a typical male (whatever one of those is!). I limit myself to 20kgs.
You’ve probably guessed why I’m telling you all this. On Sunday, working away in the garden and therefore not in work mode, I made a stupid move and the result is a prolapsed disc in my spine. I did this before several years ago, also gardening related, so I should have been more careful. I’m now paying the price both painwise and moneywise as a trip to the chiropractor is required later today, and quite probably another one or two before I’m back to full mobility again. So be warned!
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