Unit IGC 2 – Element 2: Manual and Mechanical Handling – hazards and control

Question # 1:
Outline the factors that may affect the risk from manual handling in relation to:
(i) The load. (4)
(ii) The individual. (4)

Sample Answer
(i)
- Physical weight (Heavy)
- Size (Bulky)
- Shape (Difficult to grasp)
- Rigidity (Contents liable to shift)
- Outside surfaces (Sharp)
- Stability of contents (Unstable)
- Other hazards (hot/cold)
(ii)
- Gender – male or female
- Physical strength
- Height
- State of health
- Level of training
- Pregnant

Question # 2:
Outline the issues to consider when undertaking a manual handling assessment of an activity that involves
lifting buckets of water out of a sink. (8)

Sample Answer
(Note: need further explanations)
Task
- Frequency of the activity,
- Vertical and horizontal distances to be lifted,
- Distance of the load from the body,
- awkward body movements
Individual Load
- Factors such as the type,
- Size and weight of the bucket,
- The water temperature and
- Stability of the load
Environment
- possible wet floors,
- space constraints and ambient temperature
Individual issues would be concerned with age, physical limitations and training

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 Unit IGC 2 – Element 2: Manual and Mechanical Handling – hazards and control

Question # 3:
Outline factors to be considered when undertaking a manual handling assessment of the work undertaken by
baggage handlers at a large, busy airport. (8)

Sample Answer
Task
- Poor posture adopted (e.g., stooping, twisting, pushing, pulling, etc.)
- Possible carrying distances
- Frequent / prolonged physical effort / hours of work on handling task
- The need to move loads quickly to meet scheduled departure / speed of conveyer
- Height load to be lifted
Load

- Variable weights of items of baggage / not controlled by baggage handlers

- No weight marking on baggage / look similar, etc.
- Bulky / unwieldy luggage (e.g. golf clubs, skis, push chairs, no handles etc.)
- Centre of gravity of luggage (e.g., light / heavy ends depending on packing)
- Contents may shift depending on packing
- Packing material may be slippery (e.g. strong polythenes etc.)
- Baggage content (e.g. sharp objects)
Environment

- Space constraint,
- Floor (e.g. slippery, spills, tarmac area, uneven)
- Temperature / lighting / weather condition
- Change in floor levels
Individual

 Stature
 Fitness, health, pregnant
 Bulky PPE issues
 Training / Experience

Question # 4:
(a) List FOUR specific types of injury that could be caused by the incorrect manual handling of loads. (4)
(b) Identify factors in relation to the load that will affect the risk of injury. (4)

Sample Answer
(a)
Specific types of injury that might be caused by the incorrect manual handling of loads and these would
include:
- Spinal disc compression or prolapsed disc,
- Torn ligaments or sprained tendons,
- Hernia,
- Dislocation and fractures,
- Muscular strain, cuts and abrasions and crushing and impact injuries

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 Unit IGC 2 – Element 2: Manual and Mechanical Handling – hazards and control

(b)
Way the nature of a load can present a risk of injury during manual handling activities.
- The size and weight of the load,
- The possibility that the contents might move and the load become unbalanced,
- The centre of gravity not in the centre of the load,
- Difficulty in securing a firm grasp of the load and the presence of sharp edges

Question # 5:
An employer has installed a new item of machinery in their workplace. Outline the factors to be considered
before the machine is put into use. (8)

Sample Answer
- Issue of a declaration of conformity to the applicable standard such as European Union CE mark
- The suitability of the machine for the task
- Location and environment
- The availability of operating and maintenance instructions
- The completion of training for employees and supervision
- The commissioning and the provision of a practical demonstration by the machine suppliers
- The correct sitting of the machine with regard to its stability
- The level of lighting and the space provided for operation and for carrying out maintenance
- Ensuring that protective devices were in place for the dangerous parts of the machine and
- That controls were properly labelled and were tested ensure they functioned correctly
- Ensuring control measures were in place to counter the potential environmental effects of dust fumes
noise and vibration
- The selection of competent personnel to operate the machine and
- The preparation of a schedule for its regular inspection and maintenance

Question # 6:
Outline a procedure for the safe lifting of a load by a crane, having ensured that the crane has been correctly
selected & positioned for the job. (8)

Sample Answer
- The correct selection of the sling & its inspection for damage before use;
- The employment of competent persons to attach the sling to the load in order to ensure a correct
balance;
- Provide unrestricted view for the crane driver or, where this is not possible,
- The use of competent banks-men to maintain effectives communication with the driver;
- Checking that the area where the lift is to take place is kept clear of employees;
- Ensuring that the load is raised at the correct speed, lowered slowly to its landing position & controlled
during its passage, possible by the use of tag lines.
-

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 Unit IGC 2 – Element 2: Manual and Mechanical Handling – hazards and control

Question # 7:
A store man is required to place boxes of metal components by hand on to shelved racking.
(a) List FOUR types of injury to which the employee may be at risk while carrying out this task. (4)
(b) Outline the factors in relation to the task & the load that will affect the risk of injury. (10)
(c) Outline a good manual handling technique that could be adopted by the employee when required to lift
one of the boxes from ground level. (6)

Sample Answer
(a)
- Slipped disc,
- Torn ligaments,
- Tendon sprain or hernia.
- Cuts, abrasions & fractures if boxes fall
(b)
Factors relation to task include
- The number of boxes to be lifted & the frequency of lifting,
- The vertical & horizontal distances that the boxes are required to be lifted or carried, particularly if they
have to be lifted from the ground &/or placed on high shelves.
- The need for excessive pulling or pushing of the load & twisting of the body should also have been
considered.
Factors relating to the load include:
- The weight & size of the boxes,
- The weight distribution,
- The provision of handles or other means to ensure an adequate grip,
- The presence of sharp edges,
- The security of the loads within the boxes to prevent unexpected movement.
c)
- Consider the size & weight of the load,
- The location to which it is to be moved,
- Then outlined a technique that included issues such as the correct positioning of the feet,
- Keeping the back straight,
- Bending only the knees,
- Lifting smoothly while keeping the load close to the body.

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 Unit IGC 2 – Element 2: Manual and Mechanical Handling – hazards and control

Question # 8:
An office employee is required to replace 20 litre (20kg) water bottles located on top of water coolers.
(a) Identify FOUR factors specific to the employee that might increase the risk of injury when carrying out
this task. (4)
(b) Outline a good handling technique that could be used when lifting a full bottle from the floor. (4)

Sample Answer
(a)
- Physical strength & stature
- Sex of the employee
- State of health of the employee
- Level of training in manual handling techniques.
- The person’s perceptions (or misperceptions) of the requirements of the task or their own abilities.
(b)
- Making an initial assessment of the load
- The need to take a firm grip of the bottle
- Lifted smoothly
- Keeping the back straight
- Using the leg
- Ensuring that the trunk is not twisted

Question # 9:
Outline the precautions to be taken to prevent accidents to employees working at ground level in a workshop
where heavy loads are lifted & transported by means of an overhead gantry crane. (8)

Sample Answer
- The use, training & competence of key personnel (operator, signaller, slingers)
- Maintenance & statutory inspection of the crane & lifting tackle.
- Warnings of a lift taking place (audible &/or visible),
- Ensuring that the load is secure,
- Does not exceed the safe working load,
- Lifted to the correct height & moved at an appropriate speed,
- Ensuring that all those working in the area have been properly trained & are adequately supervised.

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 Unit IGC 2 – Element 2: Manual and Mechanical Handling – hazards and control

Question # 10:
Outline the precautions that should be taken to reduce the risk of injury during the lifting operation using a
mobile crane. (8)

Sample Answer
- Preparation of lifting plan
- Ensure crane suitability for the task being performed e.g. lifting capacity / safe working load
- Update crane test certificates
- Suitability of lifting gears for the task such as test certificate, pre use inspection & colour coding
- Ground conditions suitability e.g. flat & firm surface, consideration of underground facilities, excavation
- Applying & fully extending outrigger on the firm ground
- Ensuring no obstruction in the vicinity of lift e.g. overhead power lines, buildings / structures.
- Erection of warning signs and barrier
- Use of correct slinging technique and tag lines
- Ensuring all round clear visibility
- Siren /signal given when lifting operation commences
- Ensuring area clear of personnel and no one is coming below the load
- Ensuring all person involved in lifting operation are competent e.g. operator, signalman, banks-man
- Load carried / lifted at appropriate height
- Competent supervision, instruction, training and information
- Proper communication between operator and banks-man

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