Understanding Manual Handling

By Jerry Hill

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Course 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  Slips, trips and falls  Struck by objects  Falls from height  Machinery  Miscellaneous


36.9% 20.2% 15.9% 6.5% 4.4% 16.1%

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Source HSE March 2000

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Sites of injuries caused by manual handling

   

Back Finger/Thumb Arms Lower limbs

45% 16% 13% 9%

  

Rest of torso Hands Other

8% 6% 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 I L E

Task Individuals capabilities Load Environment

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Kinetic lifting techniques

     
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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 coordinate the lift  Double the people DOES NOT MEAN double the capacity
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If one person can lift 50 kilograms

How much can two people lift? Only 70 % or 70 kilograms How much can three people lift? Only 50 % or 75 kilograms
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and finally

 This

course has merely provided you with information on manual handling and how to conduct a manual handling risk assessment. You will only protect your back and yourself if you practice the techniques learnt today. Manual handling affects your whole life
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