Many construction sites require heavy materials, like large quantities of concrete, steel pipes, or gravel. Despite the weight, some of these can be carried individually if they’re handled carefully. However, lifting and moving objects one-by-one will consume a considerable amount of project time and wear out your employees. To move heavy objects, work with a material hauling company, or teach your team how to properly carry them.

3 Tips for Lifting Heavy Objects

1. Prepare

Determine the item’s weight and size to calculate if it can be carried alone or requires a two-person lift. Grab the object to find out if gloves are required or if any sharp edges may dig into your hands during the carry.

Know the route you’ll walk while holding the heavy object, remove any debris from the path, and look for possible tripping hazards, like piles of unused materials. If there are too many hazards in the way, load the objects into a material hauling truck to safely transport the goods through the construction site.

2. Use Your Knees

Bend at the knees, and keep your arms close to the body during the lift. Use your stomach muscles to perform the labor, and not your back as that can result in a painful strain. Make sure you’re balanced and centered with the item in your hands, and lift it in one smooth motion. Don’t jerk up quickly or try to twist while lifting as you may disrupt your body’s alignment with the added weight.

3. Delivery

While carrying the object, make sure you can see ahead at all times to avoid tripping. Don’t raise the item to eye level or twist your body to see around it. If needed, ask someone to walk with you so that they can notify you of any sudden obstacles that fall in the way. Carefully and slowly set the heavy item down the same way you lifted it but in reverse.

If you’re moving bags of topsoil or metal piping to and from your construction site, carefully carry them one-by-one using these tips, or call a material hauling company to transport them all at once. If you want professional help, contact the team at Sanford’s Service Center in Pahoa, HI. Since 1977, they’ve provided Big Island businesses with heavy material hauling as well as several construction products, such as cinder and ready-mix concrete. View a complete list of their services online, or call (808) 965-8144 to request a free estimate.