Manual Handling. Handling Activities that Present a Risk How do you know if there a risk of injury ?...
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Transcript of Manual Handling. Handling Activities that Present a Risk How do you know if there a risk of injury ?...
Manual Handling
Handling Activities that Present a Risk
• How do you know if there a risk of injury ?
– Matter of your judgement
• Tend to be unpopular, difficult or arduous operations.
• Main Area’s of risk are :
• Repetitive and heavy lifting
• Bending and twisting
• Uncomfortable working position
• Exerting too much force
• Working too long without breaks
• Adverse working environment
The Task
• Risks caused by the task may be as follows :
– Loads held away from the body
– Incorrect posture (especially when lifting and lowering loads)
– Excessive twisting and turning of body
– Not allowing sufficient time for the body to rest
– Excessive carrying or lifting distances
– Incorrect team handling especially between unequal partners.
The Load
• In addition to the obvious risk presented by the weight of the load, other risks may be as follows :
– Bulky or unwieldy loads
– Loads which are difficult to grasp
– Unstable loads
– Loads with sharp edges
– Loads which are inherently dangerous
• Contain corrosive substances
• Are extremely hot / cold
The Working Environment
• The following hazards may be seen in the workplace :
– Wet and slippery floor surfaces
– Variations in floor level
– Low headroom (causing poor posture)
– Excessive heat or cold
– Draughts and high ventilation rates.
Individual Capability
• Allowances should be made for :
– Age – ability to bear weights declines with age, increasingly so in a person’s 50s and 60s
– Gender – Women are not judged to have the same weight bearing capacity as men and can be particularly susceptible to injury during pregnancy.
– Previous injuries or known medical complaints.
Good Handling Techniques
STOP AND THINK
POSITION YOUR FEET
ADOPT A GOOD POSTURE
GET A FIRM GRIP
KEEP CLOSE TO THE LOAD
LIFT SMOOTHLY
MOVE THE FEET
PUT DOWN, THEN ADJUST
Stop and Think
• Plan the lift. • Where is the load going to be placed?• Use appropriate handling aids if possible.• Do you need help with the load?
• Remove obstructions such as discarded wrapping materials.
• For a long lift - such as floor to shoulder height - consider resting the load mid-way on a table or bench to change grip.
Place the Feet• Have the feet apart, giving a balanced and stable
base for lifting.• Have the leading leg as far forward as is
comfortable.
Good Handling Techniques
STOP AND THINK
POSITION YOUR FEET
ADOPT A GOOD POSTURE
GET A FIRM GRIP
KEEP CLOSE TO THE LOAD
LIFT SMOOTHLY
MOVE THE FEET
PUT DOWN, THEN ADJUST
Get a Firm Grip
• Try to keep the arms within the boundary formed by the legs.
• The optimum position and nature of the grip depends on the circumstance and individual preference, but it must be secure.
• A hook grip is less fatiguing than keeping the fingers straight (Palm/Power)
• If it is necessary to vary the grip as the lift proceeds, do this as smoothly as possible.
Lift Smoothly
• Carry out the lifting movement smoothly, raising the chin as the lift begins,
• keeping control of the load.
Good Handling Techniques
STOP AND THINK
POSITION YOUR FEET
ADOPT A GOOD POSTURE
GET A FIRM GRIP
KEEP CLOSE TO THE LOAD
LIFT SMOOTHLY
MOVE THE FEET
PUT DOWN, THEN ADJUST
Move the Feet
• Don’t twist the trunk when turning to side.
Put Down - Then Adjust
• If precise positioning of the load is necessary, put it down first, then slide it into the desired position.
Keep Close to the Load
• Keep the load close to the trunk for as long as possible.• Keep the heaviest side of the load next to the trunk.• If a close approach to the load is not possible, try
sliding it towards you before lifting.
Reducing the Risk - Task
Can you :-
– Reduce the amount of twisting and stooping ?
– Avoid lifting from floor level or above shoulder height ?
– Reduce carrying distances ?
– Avoid repetitive handling ?
– Vary the work, allowing one set of muscles to rest while another is used ?
– Use two person / team lifting ?
If you do have to lift or lower from above shoulder height
• Lift the load in smaller pieces if possible.
• Push up on the load to see how heavy and stable it is.
• Slide the load as close to yourself as possible before lifting.
• Grip firmly and slide it down.
• Get help when you need it to avoid injury.
Lifting from hard to reach places
• Get as close to the load as possible.
• Maintain your back’s natural curves, and keep stomach muscles tight.
• Push buttocks out behind you.
• Bend your knees.
• Use leg, stomach and buttock muscles to lift - not your back.
Two Person Lifts & Team Lifts
• Work best when :-
– People are about the same height.
– One person is in charge of saying when to move and where.
– You lift and raise at the same time.
– You keep the load at the same level while carrying it
– You move smoothly together.
– You unload at the same time.
Reducing the Risk – Load.
• Can you make the load :
– Lighter or less bulky ?
– Easier to grasp ?
– More stable ?
– Less damaging to hold ?
• .
Lifting Awkward Objects
• Bend your knees with feet spread.
• Grip the top outside and bottom inside corners.
• Use your legs to lift, keeping your back straight.
Reducing the Risk – Environment.
• Can you :
– Remove obstructions to free movement ?
– Provide better flooring ?
– Avoid steps and steep ramps ?
– Prevent extremes of hot and cold ?
– Improve lighting ?
– Consider less restrictive clothing or personal protective equipment ?
Final Message
If a load is too big or too heavy to carry without
strain, GET HELP!
.
DON’T GET HURT BEING A HERODON’T GET HURT BEING A HERO
Manual Handling in the Workplace
• What types of manual handling do you carry out in your workplace ?
– Then think about Do’s – What you do to make sure this operation is done safely.
– and Don’ts – What you must ensure is not done, so that health and safety is not compromised.
Adapted with the permission of Rachel Valentine, STDU The University of Manchester