What Is Manual Handling 4

MANUAL HANDLING

What is manual handling? The Manual Handling Operations Regulations define it as 'any transporting or supporting of a load (including the lifting, putting down, pushing, pulling, carrying or moving thereof) by hand or by bodily force'. In effect, any activity that requires an individual to lift, move or support a load, will be classified as a manual handling task.

What are the risks of manual handling? •

INJURIES More than a third of all reportable injuries of over three days involve manual handling, and around 10% of major injuries are linked to manual handling. It has a major impact on all workplaces, and costs the economy hundreds of millions of pounds every year.

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MUSCULOSKETAL DISORDER In the UK, 1.1m people reported that they suffered from musculoskeletal disorders (MSDs) caused, or made worse, by work. It is estimated 12.3m working days are lost annually due to work-related MSDs.

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LONG TERM DISEASES OR ILLNESSES Anyone involved in the moving and handling of goods and people could be at risk. Injuries and suffering can be linked to any work involving handling of loads. There are risks in handling even light loads if a repetitive task is being carried out in poor conditions. Poor ergonomics and workplace layout are a factor in many hazardous manual handling tasks. Risks can be found in all work sectors, but healthcare, agriculture and construction are recognised as high-risk industries due to the number and nature of the manual handling activities.

The Employers Legal Responsibility The Regulations require employers to: Avoid -

the need for hazardous manual handling, so far as is reasonably practicable;

Assess - the risk of injury from any hazardous manual handling that can’t be avoided; Reduce - the risk of injury from hazardous manual handling, so far as is reasonably practicable.

Employees and Manual Handling • Employees are to follow appropriate systems of work laid down for their safety; • To make proper use of equipment provided for their safety; • To co-operate with their employer on health and safety matters; • To inform the employer if they identify hazardous handling activities; • To take care to ensure that their activities do not put others at risk.

Assessing manual handling risks Key factors to consider are; 1. The Task Does the activity involve twisting, stooping, bending, excessive travel, pushing, pulling or precise positioning of the load, sudden movement, inadequate rest or recovery periods, team handling or seated work? 2. The Individual Does the individual require unusual strength or height for the activity, are they pregnant, disabled or suffering from a health problem. Is specialist knowledge or training required? 3. The Load Is the load heavy, unwieldy, difficult to grasp, sharp, hot, cold, difficult to grip, are the contents likely to move or shift? 4. The Environment Are there space constraints, uneven, slippery or unstable floors, variations in floor levels, extremely hot, cold or humid conditions, poor lighting, poor ventilation, gusty winds, clothing or Personal Protective Equipment that restricts movement? These elements have the acronym “TILE” :

The individual

The load

Basic principles of manual handling There are some basic principles that everyone should observe prior to carrying out a manual handling operation: 1. 2. 3. 4. 5. 6. 7. 8. 9. 10.

ensure that the object is light enough to lift, is stable and unlikely to shift or move heavy or awkward loads should be moved using a handling aid make sure the route is clear of obstructions make sure there is somewhere to put the load down wherever it is to be moved to stand as close to the load as possible, and spread your feet to shoulder width bend your knees and try and keep the back's natural, upright posture grasp the load firmly as close to the body as you can use the legs to lift the load in a smooth motion as this offers more leverage reducing the strain on your back carry the load close to the body with the elbows tucked into the body avoid twisting the body as much as possible by turning your feet to position yourself with the load.

REDUCING THE RISK OF INJURY  An ergonomic approach This is when the manual handling tasks or operations are fitting around the individual who is involved in it and not the other way round. This optimises health and safety of the individual and improves his productivity.

 Mechanical assistance This involves the use of handling aids. Even though an element of manual handling is involved, but bodily forces are applied more efficiently, thereby reducing the risk of injury. These could involve the use of simple levers, a hoist (to support the weight of a load), trolley, sack truck, roller conveyor, chutes etc.

Sack truck

Mobile gantry crane

REDUCING THE RISK OF INJURY- contd

 Improving task layout Changing the task layout can reduce accidents. Like improving the flow of materials, which can on the other hand increase efficiency and productivity.  Using the body more efficiently In general any changes that allows the load to be held close to the body is most likely to reduce the risk to injury as risk to the lower back would be reduced since the weight of the load would be counterbalanced by the weight of the body and the weight giving the handler more stability and better control. Also for load lifted from ground level the use of the leg muscles rather than the back muscles is more preferable, provided the load is held close to the trunk and also if the load requires lifting to the shoulder height, an intermediate step to allow the handler change hand grip is required. Finally pushing and pulling can also reduce the risk of injury.

REDUCING THE RISK OF INJURY- contd

 TEAM HANDLING Where handling operation would be difficult or unsafe for one person, handling by a team of two or more persons maybe preferable but with a little hunch as there much be enough space handlers to manoeuvre as a group.  PERSONAL PROTECTIVE CLOTHING AND OTHER CLOTHING The nature of the load or environment may require the use of PPE such as gloves, aprons and safety footwear.  WORKING ENVIRONMENT The working environment should have adequate space for manoeuvring, the floor should be flat and properly drained. The environment should also be properly ventilation and lighted.

Obstruction should be removed

GOOD MANUAL HANDLING TECHNIQUE

CLASS WORK 1. What do you understand by manual handling 2. What are the duties of the employer and employee 3. With the aid of drawings show three methods of reducing the risk of injury. 4. With the use of drawings do a write up on good manual handling technique. Use the handout but do not just copy your own understanding is also required..