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Manual Handling of Loads

Frank Keenan,EHS Manager,

PPI Adhesive Products Ltd.

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WHAT IS MANUAL HANDLING ?

Manual Handling is the transporting or supporting of a load by one or more people and includes

And which by means of its characteristics or of unfavourable ergonomic conditions, involves risk, particularly of back

injury

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Manual Handling- a Life Tool

Why Manual Handling courses?

Legislation The skeleton How injuries occur Flexibility Ergonomics Principles of lifting

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WHY ATTEND THIS TRAINING DAY ?

To prevent back injury & its consequences

Pain & decreased mobility

Affects hobbies, family & social life

Financial consequences if unable to work

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STATISTICS Accident statistics

>30% in the Western world

80-90% will suffer back pain

Build up over time Early return to work

key to recovery

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Irish Legislation SHWW Act (1989) SHWW (General

Applications) Regulations (1993)

SHWW (Pregnant Employees etc.) Regulations (2000)

SHWW Act (2005) SHWW (General

Applications) Regulations (2007)

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Safety, Health and Welfare at Work Act (2005)

Replaces 1989 Act Defines “reasonably practicable” Extends employers responsibility to

contractors etc. Allows for issues such as

intoxicants and other psychosocial issues to be dealt with

More detailed Safety Statement based on Risk Assessment

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Employer’s Responsibilities Provide a safe place to work Safe equipment/ safe systems PPE Safety devices Training and Information Supervision Emergency Plans Competent person to examine

H&S issues

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Employee’s Responsibilities Must take reasonable care of

own safety and others that may be affected by their activities

To cooperate with management to comply with the law

To use PPE provided for their own safety

Not to misuse/interfere with equipment

Report defects to the employer

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General Applications Regulations (2007)

Extended responsibilities of all parties.

Definition of “Director”. Covers areas such as

VDU’s, PPE, workplace equipment, electricity, notification of accidents/ dangerous occurrences.

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MANUAL HANDLING REGULATIONS2007 The employer must ………. Avoid Manual Handling (Organisational or Mechanical Means) If Manual Handling cannot be avoided carry out risk assessment

T.I.L.E. If Manual Handling cannot be avoided take organisational

measures, use appropriate means or give employee means to reduce the risk involved with manual handling

Protect particularly sensitive risk groups (see next slide) Where tasks are entrusted to an employee, take their capabilities

into account. Provide training & information (Weight & C.O.G. of load)

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SENSITIVE RISK GROUPS Children & Young Persons

Pregnant, Post Natal & Breast Feeding Women

Night Work & Shift Work

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SCHEDULE 3CHARACTERISTICS OF THE LOAD

Too heavy/largeUn weildy/difficult to grasp

Unstable/contents likely to shiftStooping/twisting

Contours/consistency esp. in collision

PHYSICAL EFFORT REQUIREDToo strenuous

Twisting movement of trunkSudden movement of the load

Made with body in unstable posture

WORKING ENVIRONMENTNot enough Room (vertically)

Unable to handle loads at safe heightFloor uneven/variations in levels

Floor or footrest unstableTemperature, Humidity, Ventilation

REQUIREMENTS OF THE ACTIVITYOver frequent/prolonged Physical

effort of the spineInsufficient rest/recovery of the bodyExcessive lifting, lowering, carrying

Distances

INDIVIDUAL RISK FACTORSEmployee

Physically unsuited to carry out taskWearing unsuitable clothing, footwearDoes not have adequate/appropriate

Knowledge or training

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PROTECTION OF PREGNANT,POST NATAL & BREAST FEEDING EMPLOYEES 2007

Applies to women WHO ……….

Are Pregnant

Have recently given birth (14 weeks)

Are breastfeeding (26 weeks)

The employer MUST……

Carry out a risk assessment (Schedule 8)

& If necessary ↓ risk by…… Changing work conditions /

working hours Alternative work H & S leave

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Control of Manual Handling tasks

Where there is a risk of injury- avoid manual handling

If it is unavoidable, a risk assessment must be done

Training and information must be provided to employees, who must accept this

Competent person to examine H&S issues

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Guideline weights for Manual Handling

Guideline weights

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Effects on the Guideline weights Twisting during lifting operation reduces

weights by: 10 % twisting through 45o

20% twisting through 90o

Frequency of operation also reduces guideline weights: 30% for 1/ 2 times per minute 50% for 5/ 8 times per minute 80% for >12 times per minute

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Points to note: Everybody's

responsibility Legislation being

updated regularly More awareness of

your safety

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STRUCTURE OF THE SPINE

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OBJECTIVES Skeletal system (Bones & joints of

spinal column)

Discs

Soft tissue (muscles & ligaments)

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The musculoskeletal system

206 bones in an adult Divided into 2 groups 3 major tasks 4 principle types of

bone 3 types of joints >600 muscles-

largest: quadriceps

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The Spine 33 bones divided

into 5 regions Upper 24 separated

by disks- allowing various degrees of movement

S- shaped

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POSTURES TO BE AVOIDED(Where, why & how to avoid these postures)

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The Vertebrae

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The Vertebral Functional Unit

Each vertebra consists of: Pedicles Transverse

processes Facet joints Posterior superior

spine Spinal canal

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The Facet Joint Restricts twisting

movement of the lumbar region of the spine

Allows forward and backward bending of the spine

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The Lumbar Disc 2 separate parts

Annulus Nucleus

Functions: Allows movement Cushions shock Separates bones Allows nerves to

exit

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SOFT TISSUE: LIGAMENTS Taut bands of

fibrous tissue Flexible but not

elastic (Avoid over-stretching)

Poor blood supply (Heal very slowly)

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The muscles Muscles in the back-

attached to T. Processes .

Shortens by contraction- moves joints.

Only pull- cannot push. Strongest in mid

range.

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SOFT TISSUE: MUSCLEMUSCLES WORK

DYNAMICLY & STATICALLY

X

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HOW THE SPINE IS INJURED

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OBJECTIVES Disc: degeneration,

prolapse Soft tissue:

muscle,tendon, ligaments, joint capsule

Bony injury: arthritis, fracture of the arch or end plate

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DISC DEGENERATION Natural Ageing Process

Begins @ age 30

Disc Looses its Water Content

Accelerated by poor posture & lifting techniques

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RESULTS OF DISC DEGENERATI0NSlack ligaments

Slipped disc

Arthritis

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SOFT TISSUE INJURIES Overstretched Muscles are torn when cold Ligaments are torn because they are not elastic May become slack due to disc degeneration

Overloaded Muscles are torn if load is too heavy AND IF

Muscles do not have enough time to recover (repetitive work)

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Prolapsed Disc (“Slipped Disc”)

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STOOPING V’S STRAIGHT LIFT

X

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AVOID STOOPING AND TWISTING

STOOPING TWISTING

X X

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BONE INJURY The partly movable

joints: Facet joint (Arthritis

due to wear and tear)

Sacro iliac joint

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WHAT IS TO BE LEARNT As we do not always initially feel pain when we

cause damage to our spine we may think all is o.k.

But

Be warned!!!Be warned!!!

Injuries can build up over time. Bad postures and bad handling techniques may cause problems

later on in life.

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FITNESS FOR WORK

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OBJECTIVES What is fitness?

Muscles relevant to manual handling

Safety when exercising

Benefits of fitness

Stretch break, How to use large leg muscles for manual handling (weight transference/ ankle, knee & hip movements)

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WHAT IS FITNESS“Ability to do ones daily work with

enough energy left over”

Strength

Aerobic (Heart & lungs)

Flexibility

Endurance

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RELEVANT MUSCLE GROUPS

FLEXIBILITY Calves Hamstrings

STRENGTH: Quadriceps (Thighs) Abdominals (Stomach

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ELEMENTS OF SAFE STRETCH Warm up/cool down Avoid sudden jerky movements Stretch to point of slight

discomfort Hold stretch for 30 seconds x 3

times Stretch for minimum of 6 weeks to

restore flexibility

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BENIFITS OF FITNESS More stamina and energy Decreased risk of injury Improved mental alertness Improved sense of well-being May live longer!!! If not, you’ll

definitely…. ‘Get more out of life !!!!!’.

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ERGONOMICS

AT

WORK

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OBJECTIVES Definition of Ergonomics

Manual Handling Assessment

Benefit of Ergonomics

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Definition Ergonomics aims to “fit the job, environment

and equipment to the person” instead of making the person fit the above (e.g. car, sports equipment, kitchen design.

This will ensure that work is done in a way that minimises physical and mental effort while maximising efficiency.

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RISK FACTORSWhere, why & how to avoid at work?

STOOPING

LOADS AWAY FROM BODY

TWISTING

OVER REACHING

X

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YOU MUST ASSESS YOUR JOB TO SEE IF YOU ARE CAPABLE OF DOING IT SAFELY

T task

I individual

L load

E environment

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T.I.L.E.TASK

Loads away from the bodyTwisting/stoopingReaching upwards

Long carrying distancesStrenuous effort

Large vertical movements

INDIVIDUALRequire unusual capabilities

Hazard to those with health problemsHazard to those who are pregnant

Require special information/trainingRequire PPE

LOADHeavy

Bulky/unweildyDifficult to grasp

Unsteady/unpredictableHarmful –

Co-operativeAttachmentsWalking aids

ENVIRONMENTPoor floors

Variations in levelsConstraints on postures

Lighting conditionsStrong air movements

Hot, cold humid conditions

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SOLUTIONSSHORT TERM SOLUTIONS

Extra staff Improve lighting Fill Potholes Fix Wheels Training Put ramp at kerb Reflective clothing

LONG TERM SOLUTIONS

Relocate Kitchen into main Hospital

Contract out catering to outside company

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BENEFITS OF ERGONOMICSI f you assess your job, you will be…

Better able to recognise potentially harmful tasks

Safer – decreased risk of injury

More comfortable – more energy, less stress

More efficient & productive

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PRINCPLES OF

SAFER

MANUAL HANDLING

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OBJECTIVES The thought process involved before loads

are moved

Principles of manual handling

Team handling

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BEFORE ANY HANDLING TASK

“Think before you begin” Must you do the task at all?

If you must do the task, Assess – T.I.L.E

Can the task be made more manageable by: Spliting the load Getting help from other staff member Using equipment

AVOID

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The 8 Principles of Lifting

Assess the task (area & load)- TILE

Bend the knees Ensure broad stable base Back straight (Neutral position & Avoid combined bending & twisting) Firm grip with palm of hand Arms in line with trunk Weight close to centre of

gravity Turn feet in direction of

movement

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SPINAL BIOMECHANICS

X X

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5 Types of basic lift To and from the

floor To and from a

bench To and from a

height Pushing Pulling

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TEAM HANDLING Be aware of limitations of team handling Work with people of similar height Appoint a leader Plan the manoeuvre Agree a command, to ensure a smooth co-

co-ordinated movement

(Ready, Steady lift.. pull…lower etc.)

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Conclusion This training course

must be used outside work- LIFE TOOL

Always follow the 8 Principles wherever you are (whenever possible)

Remember- you only have one back- take care of it and it will “back” you up for life!

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The Radon ProblemU-238

4.5 billion yr

U-234

250,000 yr

Pa-234

1.2 min

Th-234 Th-230

24 days 77,000 yr

Ra-226

1,600 yr

Rn-222

3.8 daysPo-218 Po-214 Po-210

3.05 min 164 microsec 138 days

Bi-214 Bi-210

19.7 min 5.0 days

Pb-214 Pb-210 Pb-206 Stable

26.8 min 22 yr

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Use of intoxicants Companies moving

towards manditory testing/random testing.

Can have a very serious impact on work H&S.

Where possible let your employer know if on meds that affect work.

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Noise Reduction in exposure

levels Obligations if levels are

between 80 and 85 dB A and above 85 dB A

If levels vary daily then a weekly average can be used

Preventative audiometric testing

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Chemical Agents Use of PPE when using

chemicals Personal hygeine is

important Familiarise yourself with

the material MSDS Use proper soap etc to

claen affected areas NOT solvents

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Reviewing MSDS’s Check for associated

hazards (Sec. 3) PPE to be used (Sec.

8) Toxicological

information (Sec. 11) Other areas of interest

(Sec. 4, 5 & 7) New material = new

MSDS

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Dignity at Work People need no longer

feel threatened by other employees or managers

Physical and sexual harassment dealt with through H&S Legs and Regs.