Manual Handling Safety Workshop Copyright Les Kelly 2011 CTDHC
Manual Handling The legal definition Any transporting or supporting of a load by hand or body force by means of; Lifting Putting down Pushing or pulling Carrying or moving thereof
Legal Responsibilities Employees To take reasonable care of themselves and others by virtue of what they do To use any devices provided by the employer for safety To report any unsafe hazards and unsafe conditions To follow all safety rules put in place by the employer
Work Environment Factors Floor surfaces - (wet, slippery or uneven) Storage arrangement for safe access Adequate indoor/outdoor lighting Need for good housekeeping (trip hazards) Temperature extremes – HOT/ COLD/ ICE
Individual Capabilities Guidelines shown on the previous slide afford a reasonable protection Before asking someone to lift something, consider; Age You loose strength as you age Sex Women are not generally as strong as men Physical build Existing injuries Your spine is difficult to Repair; if at all!
The cervical The thoracic The lumbar The normal anatomy of The spine is usually described by dividing up the spine into 3 major sections: The cervical The thoracic The lumbar Below the lumbar spine is a bone called the sacrum, which is part of the pelvis. Each section is made up of Individual bones called vertebrae. There are 7 cervical, 12 thoracic and 5 lumbar
Spine Section
Adopt a good posture Bend the knees Lower the body Keep shoulders level
Question? How would lift and move these objects?
When carrying out a team lift Plan the route and set down point Try to have the persons lifting to be the same height and build Make sure you understand that only one person is to give clear instructions Stop to rest if needed