Is he safe?

You’re looking at a bilateral lift from waist to shoulder height using a crate. The first question is safety. There is no immediate reason to terminate the task. The load is controlled, balance is maintained, and there are no abrupt compensations or signs of acute distress. From a testing standpoint, this is safe to continue. However, the load drifts away from the body as it approaches shelf height, increasing the moment arm at the lumbar spine and shoulders. In a single lift this is acceptable, but under repetition or increased load, this becomes a potential risk of harm.

IIs he safe? Limitations? by Kevin Cairns

The second question is limitations. The lift is more arm-dominant than hip-driven. The individual does not consistently bring the load close before initiating the lift, and as the crate reaches shoulder height, the shoulders elevate and protract. This suggests reliance on the upper extremities rather than coordinated lower body extension. It is not a failure, but it is less efficient and would likely limit tolerance as demand increases.

The third question is technique. Ideally, the load is kept close, the lift is initiated through the hips and knees, and the arms guide rather than drive the movement. Here, the crate is lifted away from the center of mass and placed with elevated arms instead of stepping in and transferring the load close to the body. That increases demand on the shoulders and spine.

The instruction is straightforward. Pull the crate in before you lift. Use a small bend through your hips and knees and stand up to bring it to height. Keep the load close as it comes up, and step in toward the shelf before placing it. Move at a steady pace you could repeat.

We cover this in our upcoming in-person Functional Capacity Evaluation workshops in Calgary and Toronto

Details and registration:
https://lnkd.in/eM5YG4bB
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