Manual & Mechanical Handling.

In industry we need to lift loads frequently. Lifting incorrectly can result in injury; back
trouble is a major cause of time off from work in the UK, if we do not use the correct
technique when manual lifting we can cause the following injuries:

 Spine damage.
 Shoulder /arm muscle damage.
 Trapping fingers/hands.
 Tripping while carrying due to restricted vision.
 Injury to others by bumping/dropping or spilling.

Before attempting to lift you need to check:

 Is the load light enough for you to lift?

 Is not too large to restrict your vision?
 The route to the destination is obstacle free?

Correct lifting technique:

 Think and plan.

 Feet apart.
 Head up and back as near vertical as possible.
 Firm grip.
 Straighten legs.
 Raise upper part of body to vertical position.
 Keep the load close to your body.

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You must avoid manual handling if there is a risk of:

 Injury to yourself.
 Injury to others.
 Damage to property.

Getting help:

 If you decide the load is too heavy for you to lift ask for help, you need others to
share the load. And possibly someone to check for obstructions as the team moves
the load.

Large, heavy dangerous loads:

 This requires teamwork and a team leader.

 Make sure you are clear of obstructions.
 Check the floor surface is it OK so as to eliminate slipping etc.
 Make sure PPE is worn by the whole team.
 The load should be evenly divided between the people carrying it.

Manual Lifting aids:

 Trolley to push the load to destination.

 Harnesses, straps or yokes to spread the weight around the body.

Mechanical handling (required for large or heavy loads)

When a load is too heavy or large for even a team to lift mechanical lifting equipment
must be used. Before using mechanical lifting equipment you need to know “how heavy is it”
mechanical handling equipment has a SAFE WORKING LOAD – SWL this is the limit the
equipment is permitted (and tested) to lift.

You also need to know how to lift taking into account things such as sharp edges, hot
materials, easily damaged, length. Special attachments may be needed, the load must be
balanced or it will slip.

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Load attachments:

 Wire rope slings – widely used, must not be used for hot materials or narrow loads,
must be protected from becoming rusty.
 Chain slings – used for lifting hot materials and materials with sharp edges.
 Fibre rope slings – light items, items with machined surfaces.
 Belt type slings – spread the load to reduce risk of surface damage.

Slings must be long enough to carry load safely and kept as near vertical as possible. Use
packing to avoid damage to slings where possible, some items may have tapped holes for
eyebolts or holes for slinging bars.

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Lifting & Carrying checklist: Mechanical handling checklist:

1. Identify the risks. 1. How heavy is it?

2. Assess the load to be carried. 2. What are you lifting?

3. Check route/destination. 3. Where is the centre of gravity (is

it balanced)
4. Use appropriate mechanical lifting aids
if necessary. 4. How will the load be attached to
the lifting equipment?
5. Know when to summon help.
5. Who is in charge?
6. Follow the correct lifting technique.
6. Who needs to understand the
7. Use mechanical handling equipment as lifting procedure?
and when required.
7. Who needs to understand the
8. Understand procedures for lifting, lowering procedure?
transporting, loading/stacking and
using mechanical handling equipment.

9. Load / stack safely.

(These sheets are for reference purposes only, when you have completed the enclosed
worksheet hand it back to your assessor so it can be recycled to another candidate)