Safety Briefing

Manual Handling & Hand

Injuries

Date 7th April 2014

Why do we need the Safety Briefings?

Recognise hazards and assess risks associated

with manual handling.
Avoid hazards and reduce risks through prior
planning.

7th April 2014

Correct manual handling is important at

Medupi because:

A large number of people are injured each year through

incorrect manual handling.
In the last12 months hand injuries account for 95 of the
injuries to the body whilst manual handling, and can be
seriously disabling.
Injuries to other parts of the body, such as the shoulders,
are also associated with incorrect handling.
Correct manual handling will reduce the burden on the
body and significantly reduce the chance of injury.
7th April 2014

THINK T.I.L.E. before any manual handling

Task
What does the job entail ?
Take into account height, reach, distance carried,
route and frequency of task

7th April 2014

THINK T.I.L.E. before any manual handling

Individual
Am I capable and trained to do the job ?
Do I have the ability to carry out the task ?
Does my build / health affect the task ?

7th April 2014

THINK T.I.L.E. before any manual handling

Load
Check the weight, size and dimensions of the load
Do you know the centre of gravity and holding points?
Check the rigidity/stability of the load
Physical properties e.g. hot/cold/sharp/slippery

7th April 2014

THINK T.I.L.E. before any manual handling

Environment
Check the floor for any spillages, gradients or steps
Do you have the space to manoeuvre ?
Are there any temperature concerns (e.g. hot or
cold)?
Is there enough light in the area ?
7th April 2014

THINK T.I.L.E. before any manual handling

If in doubt STOP - CALL WAIT

7th April 2014

Medupi Statistics

At Medupi the hand is the part of the body most often

injured when Manual Handling:Workplace Injuries have Occurred When a Body Part
Gets Caught in a Pinch Point.

7th April 2014

Medupi Statistics

Examples of Injuries include.

Catching fingers, hands, under or between heavy crates or
equipment or drums while moving them
Slamming fingers or hands in a door
Nipping fingers or hands with hand tools like pliers
Nipping fingers or hands with equipment that has sliding parts
or hinges, Scaffolding
Nipping fingers or hands while closing a container
7th April 2014

10

Medupi Statistics

7th April 2014

11

Medupi Statistics

7th April 2014

12

Medupi Statistics (LTI)

Already in April 2014 we have

had 3 hand Injuries (LTIs)
LTI 1-Three employees were busy
moving steel purlins when the one
employee's left hand ring finger was
caught between the purlin and
scaffolding, resulting in a fracture to
the finger.

7th April 2014

13

Medupi Statistics (LTI)

LTI 2 - The injured was busy hitting a wooden

wedge with a 4 pound hammer to close an opening
in the shutter for concrete repairs. He missed the
wooden wedge and struck his left hand ring finger.
This resulted in a comminuted fracture to the distal
phalanx of the left ring finger.

7th April 2014

14

Medupi Statistics (LTI)

LTI 3 - The injured and a team member repositioned a

scaffold structure inside the LP Tank Confined Space.
They were busy moving a scaffold frame in order to get
the platform closer to the work was going to be
performed. In the process of moving the scaffold frame
the IPs finger got pinched between the standard
(upright) and support bracket which caused the injury
into the IPs right middle finger. The wound was
dressed with a bandage and the employee was taken
to the MPS-JV for medical treatment where it was
determined that he suffered an open fracture on the tip
of his right middle finger.
7th April 2014

15

Medupi Statistics how can we improve?

Look for Possible Pinch Points Before Starting

Any Task.

Check the equipment youre going to use to see

where a body part could get caught.
Plan the task to prevent pinch point injuries.

7th April 2014

16

Medupi Statistics how can we improve?

Lift, Carry, and Place Material and Equipment

Carefully .
Lift the edge of a heavy item slightly before picking it
up to get an idea of its weight.
Get help or use material handling aids to move heavy
or awkward items.
Look for pinch items, traps or sharp edges before you
take the weight.
7th April 2014

17

Medupi Statistics how can we improve?

Give Even the Smallest Task Your Full Attention.

Pinch point injuries from doors, hinges, container lids,
etc. usually occur when youre distracted.
Concentrate on what youre doing at all times on the
job.
Dont fool around or daydream at work.

7th April 2014

18

Key Points to Remember

An Injury may happen in a split second
But can lead to a lifetime of disablement & hardship for the injured person & his / her family
Never become complacent because of familiarity with your job
Stay alert !!!!!

19

19