Understanding Manual Handling

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Understanding Manual Handling

• Neal Robertson
• Lochcarron Of Scotland
• 8th Forum 22nd May 2002
• Original Slides By Jerry Hill (www.web-safety.com)

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Content

• Introduction
• Accidents and injuries
• The basics of law
• Risk Assessment
• Lifting techniques

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Introduction

• Manual handling is defined as the transporting or
  supporting of a load by hands or bodily force.
  This includes

• Lifting
• Carrying
• Putting down
• Pushing
• Pulling
• Moving
• Supporting

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The importance of correct manual handling

• 60 suffer back pain annually
• 30 become chronic sufferers
• 60 million working days lost in 1999
• Financial costs estimated at 3.25 billion
• 230,000 off work EVERY day
• Source HSE Guidance and DSS

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Reportable accidents causing injury

• Handling goods materials 36.9
• Slips, trips and falls 20.2
• Struck by objects 15.9
• Falls from height 6.5
• Machinery 4.4
• Miscellaneous 16.1
• Source HSE March 2000

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Sites of injuries caused by manual handling

• Back 45
• Finger/Thumb 16
• Arms 13
• Lower limbs 9

• Rest of torso 8
• Hands 6
• Other 3

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Relevant legislation

• Health and safety at work act 1974
• Management of health and safety at work
  regulations 1999
• Manual handling operations regulations 1992

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Manual Handling Operations Regulations 1992

• Employers responsibilities
• Avoid handling where possible
• Conduct assessment
• Take steps to reduce risks
• Provide load information

• Employees responsibilities
• Make proper use of equipment follow safe
  working systems
• Co-operate with their employer
• Ensure others are not put at risk

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Risk assessments in practice

• Look for hazards
• Decide who might be harmed and how
• Evaluate risks/Control measures
• Record the findings of assessment
• Review / revise assessment

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Manual Handling risk assessments

• T Task
• I Individuals capabilities
• L Load
• E Environment

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Kinetic lifting techniques

• Look at the load
• Foot position
• Bend knees/back straight
• Test load/take firm grip
• Lift with legs/load close
• Put down with care

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Main points to consider during team lifting

• All participants should be of similar height,
  build and gender
• One person should take control of the lift,
  command attention, inform others and co-ordinate
  the lift
• Double the people DOES NOT MEAN double the
  capacity

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If one person can lift 25 kilograms
How much can two people lift?

• How much can two people lift?

Only 70 or 35 kilograms
How much can three people lift?
Only 50 or 37.5 kilograms
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and finally

• This presentation has merely provided you with
  information on manual handling and given pointers
  on how to conduct a manual handling risk
  assessment. You will only protect your back and
  yourself if you practice safe lifting techniques.
  Manual handling affects your whole life