Best Practices for Moving Heavy Items Safely (Including Stairs)

Moving is tough enough. The thought of lifting and moving heavy items is especially stressful, given the risk of injury and property damage.

According to BHHC Safety, 75% of lower back injuries occur when lifting. But with the right techniques, you will move easily while protecting yourself and your belongings.

With years of experience moving heavy items, Starving Students is an informed expert. Find out some practical tips below.

Assess Before You Lift

Picking up potentially heavy items randomly never did anyone any good. Not knowing the object’s weight and failing to ensure a safe path increases the risk of injury. It’s best to thoroughly assess the situation with the following techniques.

Check the Item’s Weight and Dimensions: You don’t necessarily need to weigh the item, but tentatively placing your weight under it or shifting it will let you know whether you have the strength to lift it on your own. Dimensions should also be considered to ensure you have the space to work with bulk.
Identify Path Hazards: Clear a path for moving your item before you lift. Folded rugs, tight corners, and low ceilings can all present hazards. Eliminate these issues before you lift.
Know Your Limits: An assessment will help you determine if you need to ask for help or use equipment when moving.

Use the Right Equipment

Various types of equipment can make lifting easier. Here are some you might use when moving:

Flat Dolly: Ideal for boxes, appliances, and uniformly heavy items moved on flat ground.
Upright/Appliance Dolly: Best for tall, heavy, single items like refrigerators, washers, and upright furniture- a strap will secure the appliance against the frame.
Furniture Sliders: These are placed on the bottom of furniture and appliances to make them slide across the floor more easily while protecting surfaces; they can be used on hard floors or low-pile carpet- not stairs
Moving Straps: Wrap these around furniture to create a handle or a strap so you can carry the object on your back. These straps are best when two people need to move something bulky but not excessively heavy, and a dolly isn’t practical due to irregular shape or tight spaces; they work especially well on stairs
Ramp: May be needed on loading docks or truck beds
Furniture Blankets and Stretch Wrap: While these items don’t specifically help with moving, they protect your objects and should be applied as a first line of defense

Proper Lifting Techniques

Considering that three out of four back injuries that occur while lifting are attributed to improper technique, good form is essential. Here are some useful tips to keep in mind:

Bend at the Knees, Not the Waist: When you bend at the knees, you keep your spine in a neutral position, so it doesn’t absorb the full force of the lift. It transfers the weight to your quads and glutes, which are stronger and more durable.
Keep the Load Close to Your Body: The further the load is from your body, the more torque it creates on your spine. Keep objects tight to your chest to minimize the lever effect.
Engage Your Core Before and During Your Lift: Your core acts as a natural weight belt, stabilizing the spine and preventing it from buckling under load. Brace it when lifting to avoid stressing the back muscles.
Avoid Twisting- Pivot Your Whole Body Instead: When you twist your torso while holding something heavy, you put intense pressure on your intervertebral discs. Pivoting with your feet keeps your spine aligned and moves the rotation to your hips and legs.
Communicate Before Lifting: When lifting with someone else, ensure you are coordinated by saying “Ready- lift” or something similar. Uneven lifts can cause load shifts, leading to muscle strain and drops.

Navigating Stairs Safely

Lifting heavy objects can be even more taxing when stairs are involved, but these guidelines support a safe process.

Place the Stronger Person at the Bottom: They will bear a majority of the load’s weight
The Forward-Facing Person Navigates: When one individual faces forward, and the other walks backward, the forward-facing individual should navigate to ensure their partner doesn’t injure themselves or others.
Rest at Landings: A break allows the movers to rest their muscles and reduce the risk of grip slips.
Techniques for Tipping Large Furniture: Large furniture items don’t typically clear a stair landing when carried horizontally. Vertical is the way to go, making furniture narrower and easier to maneuver.
Use Moving Straps: Moving straps provide a more stable position for stair climbing and allow you to grab a railing if you lose your balance.
Disassemble Rather Than Carry: If items can be disassembled, do so. Disassemble bed frames, bookshelves, and modular sofas in advance to make moving more manageable.

Let Starving Students Do the Heavy Lifting

These tips will help you lift safely, but there’s always a risk of injury. Starving Students can save you the pain. With years of experience moving, we know the techniques and can easily navigate stairs and tight corners with ease.

FAQs

How do I protect my floors and walls when moving heavy items?

Furniture sliders under legs prevent heavy items from damaging floors. Cardboard runners protect hardwood on high-traffic paths. Door frame protectors and corner guards reduce the risk of damage to the wall and trim. Wrapping furniture in moving blankets protects the piece and the surrounding property.

What is the biggest mistake people make when moving heavy items?

Rushing. Most injuries and property damage occur when people try to power through fatigue, skip a rest at a landing, or move faster than their footing allows. Slowing down takes minutes and can prevent a back injury or a dropped dresser that significantly increases cost and time investments.

Is it better to push or pull heavy furniture?

Push when possible. Pushing allows you to use your body weight and leg strength, keep your spine in a neutral position, and provides visibility on where you are going. Pulling puts strain on the back, increasing the risk of injury.

Ethan

Starving Movers