Resultant compressions on the L5/S1 joint of six subjects were studied as they lif- ted light weights in sitting and standing work postures. The subjects activities were photographed and analysed later by a static biomechamical computer model. Statistically significant differences were found between the result of the two postures analyses. Sitting posture showed significantly high compressions on the joint when doing several material handling tasks having the same work loads from the hip joint. Therefore, it is recommended that working with light weights in standing is less hazardous than doint the same work sitting postures, although both the maximum compression forces are under the Action Limit suggested by NIOSH.