Manual Handling

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Manual Handling
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Manual Handling

• Key Point Manual handling refers to any activity
  requiring the use of force by a person to lift,
  lower, push, pull, hold or restrain something.
• Putting boxes on shelves, painting, gardening,
  cleaning, writing and typing are some examples of
  manual handling tasks.
• Manual handling injuries include
• Strains and sprains
• Neck and back injuries
• Slips, falls and crush incidents
• Cuts, bruises and broken bones
• Hernia
• Occupational overuse syndrome (OOS)

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You should be informed and trained in

• Safe manual handling methods
• Specific manual handling hazards
• Safe work procedures
• Use of any required manual handling aids
• Your right to ask for help
• Most manual handling injuries can be prevented by
  designing the task to minimise risk. Instruction,
  training and supervision are essential to make
  sure hazards are recognised and safe work methods
  are used.
• Even though you may be young and new to the job,
  you have a responsibility to speak up. Talk to
  your supervisor if you feel your job is too
  heavy, too difficult, too tiring or puts you at
  risk of injury.
• Key Point It is the employer's responsibility to
  provide you with safe work procedures, and with
  instruction, training and supervision for manual
  handling tasks.

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Ways to reduce the risk

• Lighten loads (break loads into smaller
  quantities)
• Reduce bending, twisting, reaching movements
• Use team lifting
• Use mechanical assistance (eg. trolleys and
  adjustable height workbenches and seating)
• Prevent muscle strain and fatigue. This includes
  warming up before working, taking rest breaks,
  and allowing time to get used to a new task

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Slippery floors

• Slippery and uneven floors in the workplace are
  hazardous and can result in serious
  accidents. For example, kitchen workers have been
  burnt when they have accidentally pulled pots of
  hot liquid onto themselves when a slip has caused
  them to fall.
• Floors should be cleaned regularly so that oil,
  fat and other spills do not create a slippery
  surface.
• Employers must make sure that floors are even,
  slip-resistant and free from any obstruction that
  could cause an employee to slip, trip or fall.

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Manual Handling Follow-up

• Hazard control activity
• Task Work in the classroom individually, under
  the supervision of your teacher.
• Make a list of any manual handling tasks you have
  performed over the last week, at home, school,
  travelling between the two, in the garden, at
  your part-time job, with your friends over the
  weekend.
• Working across the page, complete the
  Decision-making grid (A copy will be provided to
  you) by noting your personal manual handling
  activities, the hazards involved, and any
  suggestions for safer practice you can think of.