MANUAL HANDLING

MANUAL HANDLING

Objectives:

The aim of this training module is to ensure

that all employees have the appropriate
competence to enable them to prevent and
abate the occurrence of Manual Handling
Type Injuries.
 MANUAL HANDLING

At the end of this training session employees will:

•be aware of manual handling as an important
occupational safety and health issue
•know the risk factors of manual handling operations that
can lead to injury
•understand the principles of safe lifting and carrying and
apply them to specific manual handling operations in the
workplace
 MANUAL HANDLING

•identify, assess and control manual handling risks

•understand the basics of manual handling assessment
•understand the means of controlling risks from manual handling
•be able to review the key points of managing manual handling
risks

•be aware of the importance of eliminating manual

handling risks where possible
•be able to undertake an exercise programme
 DEFINITION

Definition:

“Any activity that requires the use of force exerted

by a person to lift, lower, push, pull, carry or
move, hold or restrain and animate or inanimate
object”

Reference: National Standards for Manual Handling (1991)

 Type of Injury and Location

Back Ache

Hernia
Slipped Disc

Lower
Back
Pain Foot/Toe Injury
(from dropped
object)
 Types and Sites of Injuries

Types and Sites of Injury:

Types:
•sprains and strains are most common
•others include contusions, lacerations and fractures
•Sites of Injuries:
•back injuries are most common
•injuries to the arms and legs are the next most common
•others include neck and shoulder injuries
 Manual Handling
Activities Presenting Risk of Manual Handling
Injuries:
•Lifting
•Carrying
•Pushing
•Pulling
•Turning with Load
 Risk Factors

Risk Factors in Manual Handling:

•Movements, Posture and Layout
•The Task and Object
•The Work Environment
•Individual Factors
 Movement, Posture & Layout
Movement, Posture and Layout:
Types of Activities:

Frequent or prolonged :
•bending down
•reaching above the shoulder
•reaching forward
•twisting of the back
•awkward postures eg: forward factor
 The Task and Object
The Task and Object:
Types of Activities:
•Frequent or prolonged Manual Handling
•Loads that are moved or carried over long distances
•Weights:
•4.5kgs when handled in seated position
•16-20kgs when handled in standing position
•55kgs when handled without mechanical assistance
 OPTIMISE LOCATION OF LOAD

Optimise location of loads:

Objects which are handled frequently should be stored in the “A”
Zone. This is also the best height region for handling loads.
Objects which are rarely used should be stored in the “B” Zone.
 The Work Environment
Types of Conditions:

•Floor Surfaces
•Variations in floor levels
•Cramped Conditions
•Housekeeping
•Heat/Cold
 Individual Factors
Individual Factors:
•New Employee - (Training)
•Age, Disabilities, Pregnancy etc.
•Clothing or PPE
•Fitness for the Job
•Skills and Experience
 Employer Responsibilities
Employer Responsibilities:
•Plant, Equipment and Containers used in work place are
designed, constructed and maintained to be safely handled
•Work and Work Practices designed to encourage Safe
Manual Handling
•Work environment designed to allow Safe Manual Handling
•Manual Handling Risks are examined and assessed
•Control Risks related to Manual Handling
 Employee Responsibilities
Employee Responsibilities:
•Employees trained in manual handling shall use:
•Safe Manual Handling Skills
•PPE
•Correct Mechanical Aids
•Lifting Procedures
Employee Responsibilities
 Controlling Risks
Movements, Posture and Layout:
•improve task layout
•more efficient use of the body
•improve the work routine
•team handling
•use of machinery/plant/handling aids
•use of personal protective equipment
 Controlling Risks
The Tasks and Object:
•make it lighter
•make it smaller
•make it easier to grasp
•make it more stable
•make it less dangerous to hold
 Controlling Risks
The Work Environment:
•remove space constraints and improve access
•improve the floor condition
•keep to one level
•improve the environmental conditions
•avoid strong air currents
•good housekeeping
 Controlling Risks
Automation:
•mechanical aids and assistance
•conveyors
•electrical and hydraulic hoists
•chutes
•cranes and vacuum
lifters
Controlling Risks
 Lifting

Lifting:
•5kg weight
•From Floor
•Unsafe and physically demanding
•Force can be 10 times load lifted
 Points to Remember
•Points to Remember:
•Crouch or stand close to the object
•Have object close to your body
•Balance your body and the object while lifting
•Keep head high, Look UP
•Drag and Hug Lead
 Carrying

Carrying:
•Hug the object
•Hold Shoulders back
•Maintain grip

* AVOID TWISTING
CARRY POSTURE
Use Pivot Turn or Two Step Turn
 Pushing
Pushing:
•Gives you twice the power of pulling
•Lower Centre of Gravity
•Keep spine in upright position
PUSHING
 Points to Remember

Points to Remember:
•Check load is well centred and stable
•Do not overload trolleys
•Ensure pathway is clear
PUSHING
 Pulling
Pulling:
PULLING

•Keep both arms bent at 90degrees

•Lower Centre of Gravity
•Keep Spine Upright
 Points to Remember
Points to Remember:
PULLING
PULLING
•Check load is well centred & stable
•Re-organise load if too
weighty
•Ensure pathway is clear

PREFER: PUSH - DON’T PULL!

PREFER:- PUSH - DON’T PULL!
 MANUAL HANDLING
General Exercises:

1. Neck flexion/extension
2. Neck rotation
3. Neck lateral flexion/extension
 MANUAL HANDLING

Low Back Stretch 1.

Low Back Stretch 2.

 MANUAL HANDLING

Low Back Stretch 3.

Seated Hamstring Stretch

 MANUAL HANDLING

Buttocks Stretch

Standing Hip and Thigh

Stretch
 MANUAL HANDLING
Recap:
•Think before undertaking action
•Assess the object
•Decide whether you can handle the object
•Determine method to grip & hold the object
•Establish clear pathway
•Wear appropriate PPE
 MANUAL HANDLING
Recap:
•TAKE YOUR TIME!

Why is it that most people decide to

use their back while lifting and not
their legs/bent knees???
MANUAL HANDLING