Career Technical

Module 10 Education at Abu Dhabi

Polytechnic

*ADPoly is a post-secondary unit of the Institute of Applied Technology

EMET-2001 Health Safety & Environment

Section 2
Hazards and controls associated with
manual handling and repetitive movement
2
Module 10
Hazards and controls associated with
manual handling and repetitive
movement
 Manual handling and repetitive movement
3

Learning Outcomes
On completion of this module, student should be able to:

 Identify the hazards from manual handling and repetitive

physical activities

 Identify ways of controlling risks from manual handling and

ergonomic risks
Manual Handling Hazards and Controls
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What is manual handling?

“Transporting or supporting of a load (including the

lifting, putting down, pushing, pulling, carrying or
moving thereof) by hand or by bodily force.”

Holding a load away from your torso

when lifting increases risk of injury
Manual Handling Hazards and Controls
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Common types of manual handling injuries:
(Most of which are musculoskeletal injuries)

 Back injury or slipped disc

 strained ligament injuries (muscular problems)
 Hernias
 Cuts, burns, dislocation and broken bones
 Bone injuries
 Work Related Upper Limb Disorders (WRULDs)
 Work Related Lower Limb Disorders (WRLLDs)
Manual Handling Hazards and Controls
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Common activities involving manual handling and /

or Repetitive activities :

 Keyboard operation / risk of (WRULD)

 Factory assembly of small components / risk of (WRULD)
 Bricklaying / risk of (Back injuries)
 Supermarket checkout operation
 Packing / unpacking
 Manual handling risk assessment
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Manual handling risk assessment focuses on four main
factors:

1. Task
2. Individual Capability
3. Load
4. Environment

Remember TILE
 Manual handling risk assessment
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How Can I Reduce the Risk of Injury from manual handling?
Control measures of manual handling risk can be achieved by
using a simple hierarchy of controls:

 Eliminate the manual handling

 Assess the manual handling that cannot be eliminated.
 Use mechanical aids
 Modify the task, load or environment.
 Ensure individual capabilities are matched to the activity
 Control measures of manual handling
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Mechanical aids:

Mechanically powered devices-

1. Forklift truck
2. Crane
3. Conveyor belt
4. Mechanical hoists

Manually propelled devices-–

1. Trolleys
2. Pallet truck
3. Sack trucks
 Control measures of manual handling
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Factors to assess the Task during manual handling

Does the task involve:

 Being held at a distance from the trunk?

 Twisting?
 Stooping?
 Excessive lifting or lowering?
 Excessive carrying distances?
 Pushing or pulling?
 Sudden movement of the load?
 Frequent/prolonged physical effort?
 Sufficient rest periods?
 A rate of work imposed by a process?
 Control measures of manual handling
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Factors to assess Individual capabilities during

manual handling

 Does the activity require unusual ability? Some

handling activities require unusual strength or height,
size. It is important to remember that strength and general
manual handling ability depends on age, gender, state of
health and fitness and level of training in manual
handling techniques
 Does the activity present significant risk to vulnerable
individuals such as pregnant women or people with
pre-existing back injuries?
 Competence
 Control measures of manual handling
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Factors to assess Load during manual handling

• How heavy is the load? (Weight)

• How large and bulky is the load? (Size)
• How stable is the load?
• Where is the center of gravity (C of G) of the load?
• Is the load difficult to grip?
• Is the load hot, sharp or otherwise hazardous?

Unsighted by load
 Control measures of manual handling
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Factors to assess The Environment during manual

handling

 Are there restrictions on the space available?

 Is the floor surface slippery (wet floor) or uneven?
 Are there changes in floor level (steps, stairs, etc.)?
 What are the light levels like?
 What is the temperature and humidity?
 Good practice in manual handling
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Safe Lifting techniques (Good Practice)

1. Check suitable 3. Firm grip – close to

clothing and assess load. body, slight bending of
Heaviest side to body. back, hips and knees
at start.

4. Lift load smoothly

2. Place feet slightly apart to knee level and then
– bend knees. waist level. Keep the
back upright. Keep
load close to the body
 Good practice in manual handling
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Safe Lifting techniques (Good Practice)

5. With clear visibility move

forward without twisting and
stretching,
Keep load close to the waist.
Turn by moving feet. Keep head
up. Do not look at load.

6. Set load down at waist level

or to knee level and then on the floor.
 Risk Assessment group names
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