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PPE

Manual Handling

Manual handling

A manual task refers to any activity requiring a person to use any

part of their muscular or skeletal system in their interactions with

their work environment.

Manual tasks are carried out in most types of work. They include

activities that require: someone to exert force in order to grasp,

manipulate, strike, throw, carry, move (lift, lower, push,

pull), hold or restrain an object, load or body part.

Manual tasks cover a wide range of activities such as stacking

shelves, working on a processing line, entering data into a

computer, directing traffic and helping a person to shower.

Manual tasks can contribute to injuries affecting all parts of the body, particularly the back, shoulder and wrist. These are commonly called musculoskeletal disorders.

A manual task is hazardous if it involves any of the following characteristics

• repetitive or sustained force • high or sudden force • repetitive movement • sustained and/or awkward posture • exposure to vibration.

Manual handling

Manual handling

Repetitive Force Sustained Force Sudden Force High Force

Hand / ArmVibration

Whole BodyVibration

Sustained Posture Awkward Posture

• An injury can be caused by a one-off overload situation, intense or strenuous activity or, more commonly, by ongoing wear and tear to the soft tissue structures of the body (joints, ligaments, muscles and intervertebral discs).

• Over time, damage can build up through things such as: handling loads - frequent lifting with the back bent and/or twisted, or pushing or pulling loads

• repetitive work - using the hand or arm, or gripping tools or loads tightly• static work of the whole body - working in a fixed position with the back bent,

• continuous sitting or standing, or driving vehicles for long periods• static work of the upper limb - working with the neck, shoulders and arms

in a fixed position (such as using tools and handling heavy loads)• vibration – using tools or coming into contact with vibrating surfaces while

undertaking manual tasks (such as sitting on a large machine).

Manual handling

Loads can be a source of risk due to the amount of muscular effort needed to handle them. The harder to grip and control a person, animal or thing, the greater the force required to handle them. The risk can arise from:

• size, shape and weight of load – loads that are large, bulky, or heavy and cannot be

• held close to the body or are asymmetric and put uneven forces on the spine • loads that are difficult to grip through unsuitable handles, handholds or surface

textures • unstable or unwieldy loads can create sudden high muscle forces and result in • overloading of muscles, tendons or discs • handling people or animals – both the physical and behavioural nature of people

or animals can be a source of risk, for example unpredictable movements requiring sudden forces to control.

Manual handling

Mechanical equipment may eliminate or reduce the need for workers to lift, carry or support items, animals or people. A wide range of mechanical aids is available for various industries, for example:

• conveyors such as roller conveyors, elevating conveyors, belt conveyors, screw conveyors, chutes, monorails or trolley conveyors

• cranes such as overhead travelling cranes, gantry cranes or jib cranes, stacker cranes,

• industrial manipulators and articulating arms • lifting hoists, loading dock levellers, turntables • springs or gas struts, mechanical devices such as hand winches,

hydraulic pumps, and • battery powered motors • forklifts, platforms trucks, tractor-trailer trains, tugs and pallet trucks

Manual handling

Pushing and pulling loads

Pushing loads is preferable to pulling because it involves less work by the muscles of the lower back, allows maximum use of body weight, less awkward postures and generally allows workers to adopt a forward facing posture, providing better vision in the direction of travel.

Manual handling

Handling animals

• Supporting or restraining animals should only be carried out by people with the necessary skills and experience. When animals are being handled consider the following: • using mechanical devices or other restraining aids for lifting, transporting or

restraining animals• moving the animal to a place that constrains or minimises the movement of

the animal before commencing the task • where handling is required, assessing the needs of the task including the

specific type of mechanical aids and personnel, and planning it in a manner that avoids double handling• where the use of a mechanical aid or assistive device requires two or more

people, providing adequate resources so that workers under time pressure don’t try to complete the task on their own.

Manual handling

• Plan the lift. Determine the best lifting technique to adopt.• Lift comfortably. Chose the position the feels best buy try to keep

the back straight (not necessarily vertical), if the task permits.• Lift gradually, smoothly and rhythmically. Avoid jerky

movements. Grasp the object securely.• Avoid unnecessary bending. Try to keep the object at a level

between mid-thigh and shoulder height.• Avoid unnecessary back twisting. Turn your feet, not your hips or

shoulders. Leave enough room for your feet thus, avoiding the need to twist.

• Avoid reaching out. Handle heavy or awkward objects as close as possible to the body.

Manual handling

• Where possible break up tasks to avoid repetitive bending. Vary heavy handling tasks with lighter work.

• As a guide, most people can safely lift 16 – 20 kgs• All objects over 16 kgs but less than 55 kgs must be lifted using team

lifting techniques or a mechanical device.• Freight over 25 kgs must have a “HEAVY” sticker attached which

indicates the actual weight of the object. • Be aware of sharp objects or protrusions.• Check weight BEFORE attempting to lift

• ANY OBJECT OVER 55KGS SHOULD BE MOVED BY A MECHANICAL DEVICE.

Manual handling

• Take a moment to stretch before commencing work.• Take your time to do them correctly• Focus on: Arms, Neck, Shoulders, Legs, Lower Back.• The most common cause of work-related discomfort and injury is

working in the same position for long periods of time...like when working on a computer. This stationary positioning requires your muscles to work under constant strain, which reduces blood flow and oxygen to hard-working tissues.

• By alternating the types of tasks you perform throughout the day and taking more frequent breaks (at least 1 minute/hour), you can significantly reduce your overall fatigue and the risk of Cumulative Trauma

Manual handling

Manual handling

Basic (Diagonal) lift

Power Lift

Manual handling

Tripod Lift

Manual handling

Squat Lift

Golfers Lift

Manual handling

Pivot Technique

• Stand up while talking on the phone.

• Alternate between mouse intensive and keyboard intensive work.

• If you have a large number of e-mails to return, answer them in subsets throughout the day.

• If appropriate, communicate messages/information to nearby employees in person.

• Perform micro-break stretches at least one minute every hour.

• Stretching exercises can include: shoulder shrugs/neck stretch/mid back stretch/wrist extensor stretch.

Manual handling

Manual handling Warm up cold muscles thoroughly before engaging in any

manual work Lift and carry heavy loads correctly, by keeping the load close to

the body and lifting with the thigh muscles Never attempt to carry or lift loads in excess of the

recommended maximum limit for one person Maintain correct posture and the natural curves of the spine Take frequent breaks Organise the work area to reduce the amount of bending,

twisting and stretching required Get help to lift or carry a heavy load whenever possible, using

another worker or appropriate mechanical aids Exercise regularly to strengthen muscles & ligaments

Workers have a duty to take reasonable care for their own health and safety and that they do not adversely affect the health and safety of other persons. Workers must comply with any reasonable instruction and cooperate with any reasonable policy or procedure relating to health and safety at the workplace.

Ensure you use the documents at your disposal to help reduce hazards in your workplace!

• Hazard Report

• Incident Report

• Tag Out Reports

• Workplace Inspection Reports

Manual handling

• Think it out - plan ahead

• Warm up and Stretch

• Feet apart and flat - stand close

• Bend knees and hips - use leg muscles

• Spine straight - low back slightly arched

• Get a good grip

• Hold load close and right in front

• Move smoothly - use feet to change direction

Summary