Smart lifting tips to help protect your back

Did you know that bricklayers have the highest rate of back injuries with lost workdays across the entire construction industry. It’s no surprise, really. The job involves constant bending, lifting, twisting, and reaching, often while carrying weight, operating tools, or working on uneven surfaces.

The physical demands of laying bricks, blocks, or slabs all day take their toll, and when you’re working long hours, in awkward positions, with heavy materials, even a small strain can turn into something serious.

“My back’s been giving me grief for years...”

This is a line we’ve heard many times from hardworking trades people. And the stats back it up. UK pain specialist Dr Simon Petrides, has highlighted the frequency of asymmetric back pain in bricklayers, pain that often radiates into one leg due to the twist-and-reach motion used when laying materials.

Worse still, it’s not just about pain. Back injuries can cost you days or even weeks off the tools and that means lost earnings, frustrated clients, and a longer recovery than most people realise.

How to avoid back problems on site

Here's a few simple reminders that can make all the difference long term. Most of these are basics, but if you’ve ever spent a week flat on your back because you ignored one, you’ll know how important they are.

Build from a strong base:

Use your legs and knees when lifting, not your lower back.

Keep the load close to your body, and avoid twisting when you turn.

Bend your knees, not your spine, especially when reaching for heavy slabs or buckets.

Don’t overreach:

That little lean to grab something out of reach? It adds up over time.

Always move your feet and reset your stance instead of reaching across awkwardly.

If the ground’s uneven, make it level or work off a stable platform, twisting on uneven footing is a one-way ticket to pain.

Gear matters:

A good belt and proper-fitting trousers help keep your posture right.

Invest in knee pads and rotate tasks if possible, changing up your movement can reduce repetitive strain.

If you’re constantly bending down to fill buckets or reposition your hosepipe during a pour, you’re adding hundreds of repetitive movements to your day and every one puts strain on your back.

That’s where CemixFlo can help. Our quick-connect water pipe attaches directly to your cement mixer, letting you control the flow of water without the back-and-forth or repeated bending. It might seem like a small change, but it cuts out dozens of unnecessary movements every single day and over the weeks, your back will thank you.

You can’t always avoid the graft, it’s part of the job. But you can work smarter, move better, and use tools that keep you on your feet longer.

Your back is one of the most valuable tools you've got. Look after it and it’ll look after you.