Manual Handling Tony Richardson CMIOSH Sussexsafety.net

Introduction-aims of the session Sussexsafety.net Training Presentation: Manual Handling Introduction-aims of the session An awareness of manual handling injuries An overview of legal requirements An understanding of good handling techniques to help prevent lifting injuries Information to help you decide if a load is within your capability to lift or, needs to be assessed Don’t forget this applies at home as well as at work Sussexsafety.net: Making Health and Safety Easier to Understand

What is Manual Handling ? Sussexsafety.net Training Presentation: Manual Handling It is not just lifting heavy or bulky loads it also includes: Pushing Pulling Lifting Lowering Carrying What is the Definition of Manual Handling? Any transporting or supporting of a load by hand or bodily force Name some items you move during the day Sussexsafety.net: Making Health and Safety Easier to Understand

Workplace accidents What type of accident causes the most injuries? Sussexsafety.net Training Presentation: Manual Handling Workplace accidents What type of accident causes the most injuries? Sussexsafety.net: Making Health and Safety Easier to Understand

Sussexsafety.net Training Presentation: Manual Handling Questions 1. What types of injuries can you get from lifting and shifting? 2. What are the most common manual handling injuries? Sussexsafety.net: Making Health and Safety Easier to Understand

Manual handling injuries Sussexsafety.net Training Presentation: Manual Handling What part of the body is most affected? Does anyone suffer from back pain? Sussexsafety.net: Making Health and Safety Easier to Understand

Sussexsafety.net Training Presentation: Manual Handling Back problems In between each of the five lumbar vertebrae (bones) is a disc, a tough fibrous shock - absorbing pad Excess spinal pressure from incorrect lifting, or frequent and improper twisting & turning can cause these discs to becompressed until they rupture This is sometimes called a herniated disc Sussexsafety.net: Making Health and Safety Easier to Understand

Sussexsafety.net Training Presentation: Manual Handling Finger, thumb and hand Finger, thumb and hand injuries make up almost a quarter of all lifting injuries Cuts from sharp/coarse material or equipment or from trapped fingers account for 12% handling injuries Other hand injuries such as Carpel Tunnel Syndrome are cumulative and can result from carrying out the same activity repeatedly Sussexsafety.net: Making Health and Safety Easier to Understand

Other manual handling injuries Sussexsafety.net Training Presentation: Manual Handling Other manual handling injuries Crushed and fractured bones Cuts and abrasions Soft tissue damage eg injuries to muscle tendons and ligaments Hernias Sussexsafety.net: Making Health and Safety Easier to Understand

Sussexsafety.net Training Presentation: Manual Handling Hernias A hernia can develop when a loop of the gut bulges out through a weakened part of the abdominal wall Hernias can be a result of excessive strain caused by heavy lifting Acute condition (immediate effect) Chronic condition (long term effect) Sussexsafety.net: Making Health and Safety Easier to Understand

Legal stuff-employers Sussexsafety.net Training Presentation: Manual Handling Legal stuff-employers The Manual Handling Regulations 1992/2002 say: Avoid hazardous manual handling operations as far as possible (reasonably practicable) Assess any hazardous manual handling operations that cannot be avoided Reduce the risk of injury so far as possible (reasonably practicable) Sussexsafety.net: Making Health and Safety Easier to Understand

Legal stuff-staff As staff we must: Sussexsafety.net Training Presentation: Manual Handling Legal stuff-staff As staff we must: Follow and practice safe systems of work laid down for our own safety Make proper use of safety equipment provided Co-operate with our employers on health and safety matters Inform our line manager if we identify hazardous lifting activities Take care to ensure our activities do not put others at risk Sussexsafety.net: Making Health and Safety Easier to Understand

Good handling techniques for lifting Sussexsafety.net Training Presentation: Manual Handling Good handling techniques for lifting Practical tips for safe manual handling Sussexsafety.net: Making Health and Safety Easier to Understand

Think before lifting/handling Sussexsafety.net Training Presentation: Manual Handling Think before lifting/handling Is it bulky?-it may be large but not heavy Is it heavy?-it may be small in size but heavy Is it stable?-containers of liquid can be unstable and difficult to move Is it hard to hold?-do you need gloves/PPE Can you split the load-make it smaller/lighter easier to handle? Can lifting/handling aids be used? Sussexsafety.net: Making Health and Safety Easier to Understand

What is a lifting or handling aid? Sussexsafety.net Training Presentation: Manual Handling What is a lifting or handling aid? How many lifting devices can you think of? Sussexsafety.net: Making Health and Safety Easier to Understand

Think before lifting/handling Sussexsafety.net Training Presentation: Manual Handling Think before lifting/handling Do you need help with the load? Give it a test Think about the route, trips hazards, stairs, obstructions Where is the load going to be placed? The further you move a load the smaller it should be (think of carrying a suitcase) For a long lift, consider resting the load midway on a table or bench to change grip There is no point in injuring yourself be aware of your capabilities Sussexsafety.net: Making Health and Safety Easier to Understand

Remember the risks? Remember: Sussexsafety.net Training Presentation: Manual Handling Remember the risks? Strain put on the body Sprains or strains Back injuries Stooping, reaching and twisting of body Repetitive practices The load doesn’t have to be heavy to cause a problem Remember: Do not lift a load that is too heavy, bulky, awkward or not in your lifting capability Sussexsafety.net: Making Health and Safety Easier to Understand

Before you start Adopt a stable position Your feet should be apart Sussexsafety.net Training Presentation: Manual Handling Before you start Adopt a stable position Your feet should be apart With one leg slightly forward to maintain balance (alongside the load, if it is on the ground) Be prepared to move your feet during the lift to maintain stability Sussexsafety.net: Making Health and Safety Easier to Understand

Start in a good posture At the start Sussexsafety.net Training Presentation: Manual Handling Start in a good posture At the start A slight bending of the back, hips and knees is preferable to fully flexing the back (stooping) or fully flexing the hips and knees (squatting) Don’t flex the back any further while lifting This can happen if the legs begin to straighten before starting to raise the load Sussexsafety.net: Making Health and Safety Easier to Understand

Keep the load close to the waist Sussexsafety.net Training Presentation: Manual Handling Keep the load close to the waist Keep the load close to the body for as long as possible while lifting Keep the heaviest side of the load next to the body If a close approach to the load is not possible, try to slide it towards the body before attempting to lift it Sussexsafety.net: Making Health and Safety Easier to Understand

Avoid twisting the back or leaning sideways Sussexsafety.net Training Presentation: Manual Handling Avoid twisting the back or leaning sideways Especially while the back is bent Shoulders should be kept level and facing in the same direction as the hips Turning by moving the feet is better than twisting and lifting at the same time Sussexsafety.net: Making Health and Safety Easier to Understand

Sussexsafety.net Training Presentation: Manual Handling Move smoothly The load should not be jerked or snatched this can make it harder to keep control and can increase the risk of injury Don’t lift or handle more than you can easily manage There is a difference between what people can lift and what they can safely lift If in doubt, seek advice or get help Sussexsafety.net: Making Health and Safety Easier to Understand

Put down the load, then adjust Sussexsafety.net Training Presentation: Manual Handling Put down the load, then adjust If precise positioning of the load is necessary Put it down first Then slide it into the desired position Sussexsafety.net: Making Health and Safety Easier to Understand

Let's watch how the experts do it Sussexsafety.net Training Presentation: Manual Handling Let's watch how the experts do it Video Sussexsafety.net: Making Health and Safety Easier to Understand

When is a risk assessment required? Sussexsafety.net Training Presentation: Manual Handling When is a risk assessment required? A less formal assessment should be done each time you have to carry out manual handling A formal risk assessment should be done if the task is a regular or repetitive part of your work Pre Manual Handling Risk Assessment Checklist Look out for, people puffing and sweating, excessive fatigue, bad posture, cramped work areas, awkward or heavy loads, twisting or a history of back trouble Most colleagues can often highlight which activities are unpopular, difficult, awkward or hard work The risk assessment should be carried out by a competent person e.g. your line manager Sussexsafety.net: Making Health and Safety Easier to Understand

When is a manual handling risk assessment required? Sussexsafety.net Training Presentation: Manual Handling When is a manual handling risk assessment required? If in doubt ask your line manager to complete the: Pre-Manual Handling Risk Assessment Checklist This will help you decide if a thorough risk assessment is needed If you think there is a risk of injury you should report it before attempting the task Sussexsafety.net: Making Health and Safety Easier to Understand

How do you carry out a manual handling risk assessment? Sussexsafety.net Training Presentation: Manual Handling How do you carry out a manual handling risk assessment? Sussexsafety.net: Making Health and Safety Easier to Understand

Finally: Remember good handling techniques Sussexsafety.net Training Presentation: Manual Handling Finally: Remember good handling techniques Most accidents occur mainly when insufficient thought has been given to the task in hand Try to think of a Manual Handling in terms of TILE The Task Individual Capability The Load The Working Environment Sussexsafety.net: Making Health and Safety Easier to Understand

Finally: If manual lifting is the only option Sussexsafety.net Training Presentation: Manual Handling Finally: If manual lifting is the only option Reduce the risk by: Making the load smaller or easier to lift Modify the work area to reduce carrying distances Cut out twisting or lifting things from floor level or above shoulder height Improve the environment - e.g. better lighting, flooring, or air temperature Ensure the person doing the lifting knows how to lift as safely as possible Sussexsafety.net: Making Health and Safety Easier to Understand

Manual Handling Test 1. Practical assessment Sussexsafety.net Training Presentation: Manual Handling Manual Handling Test 1. Practical assessment 2. Ten true or false questions A pass in both will be awarded with a Certificate of Achievement Sussexsafety.net: Making Health and Safety Easier to Understand

Manual Handling/Lifting & Shifting Sussexsafety.net Training Presentation: Manual Handling Further access denied If you would like to learn more about: Manual Handling/Lifting & Shifting Contact Tony Richardson at Sussexsafety.net Or call the number at the top of the page Sussexsafety.net: Making Health and Safety Easier to Understand