Back Safety: Bending

Keep your feet shoulder-width apart.

Move your whole body as one unit.

Bend at your hips and knees, not at your waist.

Flatten your stomach and tighten your leg muscles.

To keep your spine straight, let your buttocks move out behind you. Don’t try to tuck them under.

If you need to, place one hand on a sturdy object for support.

Lower yourself to one knee. If you can, rest one hand on a sturdy object to help lower yourself.

Rest one arm on your raised knee.

Don’t bend at the waist.

Don't hunch your back or neck to reach to the floor. Instead, bend more at your hips and knees to get closer.