ABSTRACT
It is probably safe to assume that workers in retail, wholesale, and warehousing perform a large number of lifting tasks as an integral part of their job duties some of which could be both heavy and at times awkward. Employers in these industry sectors should lift carefully since overexertion and back injuries are the leading causes of injuries. It should not be a foregone conclusion that back injuries are an acceptable part of doing business. Efforts should be directed toward prevention although many employers as well as workers view lifting as a natural activity that everyone knows how to do correctly. This has proven to be a false belief.
