How should boxes and cartons be grasped when lifting?

How should boxes and cartons be grasped when lifting?

• A. By the alternate top and bottom corners and drawing a corner between the legs
• B. Grasp the sides at the center with both hands
• C. Pinch the corners with fingertips
• D. Lift by handles on the top only

Answer: (A)

Gripping boxes this way creates a secure, balanced hold that keeps the load close to your body so you can use your legs, not your back, to lift. By placing one hand on a top corner and the other on the opposite bottom corner, you gain opposite-edge control, and drawing that corner between your legs helps cradle the box and prevent it from shifting or twisting as you lift. This combination provides stability, reduces the risk of the box slipping, and keeps the spine in a neutral position while you lift. Grabbing the sides at the center offers less secure edge contact and control, pinching corners with fingertips is weak and easy to drop, and lifting by top handles only can create an unstable tilt and misalignment.

Gripping boxes this way creates a secure, balanced hold that keeps the load close to your body so you can use your legs, not your back, to lift. By placing one hand on a top corner and the other on the opposite bottom corner, you gain opposite-edge control, and drawing that corner between your legs helps cradle the box and prevent it from shifting or twisting as you lift. This combination provides stability, reduces the risk of the box slipping, and keeps the spine in a neutral position while you lift.

Grabbing the sides at the center offers less secure edge contact and control, pinching corners with fingertips is weak and easy to drop, and lifting by top handles only can create an unstable tilt and misalignment.