The best practice when lifting materials is to keep the load as close to your body as possible while lifting and carrying it.

Why this is a good practice

  • Keeping the load close reduces the strain on your lower back because it shortens the lever arm between the weight and your spine.
  • Safe lifting guidelines from safety and ergonomics programs consistently list “hold the load close to your body at waist height” as a key step in proper lifting technique.

Other safe lifting tips

  • Bend your knees and hips, not your back, and lift with your legs instead of your back.
  • Avoid twisting your torso while lifting; move your feet to turn your whole body instead.
  • Test the load first; if it is too heavy or bulky, get help or use mechanical aids rather than lifting it alone.

So, if the question lists several options, the correct choice is the one that says to keep the load close to your body while lifting materials.

Information gathered from public forums or data available on the internet and portrayed here.