Purpose: To demonstrate an ergonomic problem.

Materials required: Two boxes with equal weight (light) - one long rectangular box without handles and one square, compact box with good handles.

Instructions: Learners are asked to lift both boxes from the floor to a table using two different lifting techniques - a stoop posture (straight legs), and a squat (bent knees) posture. They are asked to describe how they felt about each lifting situation - which was easier and why (box size, handles and posture used to lift).

Expected Results: The intent is to get your learners to see what makes a better lift, what makes an awkward lift, and how posture and size can change the force demand without changing the weight. The awkward box that was lifted using a stoop posture (straight legs) is the poorest method of lifting and should be reflected in the student's comments.