A great deal of accident prevention education has been directed toward the reduction of back injuries. This has not produced any great change in the incidence of this condition, and the author presents evidence that there can be no specific and mandatory method for lifting all loads. Virtually all types of lifting methods are possible and, in fact, are used throughout industry. The author advocates a dynamic "free lift" and gives evidence as to its physiological economy. The major problem in lifting is prior development of postural fatigue which renders the back liable to subsequent injury. Postural fatigue has generally been neglected in inquries on back injury, and further evidence is sought as to the role played in minor back injury. Movements with a load and not parallel to the plane of central gravity of the body are believed to be likely to result in injury.