novice

We had a new lad start today,
he's in his early 20's, part time college boy.
It presented quite a challenge to teach it all over again,
eveything from how to lift, to keeping hands out of pockets.
I s'pose it's not that complicated really,
(see below)
but the first rule is don't hurt yourself.
I've spent time laid up with back pain,
writhing on the osteopath's couch is no fun.
On the whole, I've managed to keep my crews out of harm.
Strains usually happen Monday morning,
or at the end of a long day.
Sometimes clients expect too much, overloading boxes,
which when lifted over and over, can hurt,
or not letting us break down furniture into individual pieces.
The worst one is when customers insist that the removal needs 'just one man'
then lifts without considering the poor porter.
The porter can end up carying well over half the load,
with the client rushing him, and twisting the other end.
It takes some confidence to tell the client to stop it,
explain to him what he's doing, and how to make it easier.
Removal men can work into their 60s
It's technique not strength