Manual Handling
Manual handling is the movement loads including lifting, lowering, putting down, pushing, pulling, carrying or moving, by hand or by bodily force. Awkward postures, poor lifting techniques, and failing to route plan will all increase the risk of injury during manual handling tasks.
Importance.
Manual handling is apparent in nearly every workplace in one form or another. With manual handling being the leading cause of musculoskeletal disorders at work (accounting for over a third of all work related illness), it’s important to know how much you can safely lift, and use good handling techniques.
Regulations.
The Manual Handling Operations Regulations cover manual handling at work. You should avoid the need for manual handling wherever possible, assess the risk, reduce the need by providing mechanical aids, and train staff in good manual handling techniques.
Employees have a duty to make full use of anything provided in connection with manual handling, including following advice and training given.
Guidance.
Consider the task:
- Avoid twisting the trunk
- Avoid stooping or reaching upwards
- Prevent holding at a distance from trunk
- Avoid tasks that demand poor posture
- Assess frequent physical effort
- Avoid excessive lifting or lowering
- Prevent excessive carrying distances
- Prevent excessive pushing or pulling
- Avoid sudden movement of loads
- Minimise prolonged physical effort
- Allow for rest or recovery periods
Consider the individuals capacity:
- Strength of individual
- Knowledge of the load and task
- Training and experience
Consider the load and give extra controls for:
- Heavy loads
- Bulky loads
- Unstable loads
- Difficult to grasp
- Sharp edges
- Hot or hazardous loads
Consider the working environment:
- Restrictions preventing good lifting postures
- Uneven, slippery, unstable floors
- Changes in floor level eg. steps or ramps
- Windy or dusty atmosphere
- Overcrowding of work spaces
- Extreme temperature changes
- Physical obstructions
- Poor lighting
Questions.
- What should you consider about the load before lifting?
- Why should each manual handling activity be assessed?
Summary.
A risk assessment should be completed before manual handling operations commence. Consider hazards such as the task, the individual, the load and the environment.
