Physiological and psychophysical research approaches were employed to determine the effects of two levels of fullness (70% and 95%) and the use of handles on bag lifting tasks. A comparison of bag lifting and box lifting was also conducted. Neither the level of bag fullness nor the availability of handles on the bag resulted in a significant change in physiological response for a 20.4 kg load. The maximum acceptable weight lifted was significantly higher when performing a bag lifting task either with handles or when the bag was 95% full. The maximum acceptable weight of lift for bag lifting tasks was higher (2.21 kg) than for box lifting tasks under the conditions of this experiment.