Emergency First Response® Manual Handling © Emergency First Reponse 2008

Course Overview Introductions Important Information The Spine Common Injuries The Law and Manual Handling Assessing the Task Good Lifting Technique

Course Overview Cont… Practical Development Lifting Boxes Lifting Sacks Pushing and Pulling Unusually Shaped Objects Teamwork Using Lifting Aids

Course Overview Cont… Guidelines for Manual Handling Risk Assessment Additional Factors The Role of Managers In the Event of an Accident Scenarios

Introductions Introduce self Why are you here? What manual handling do you encounter in your day to day job?

Important Information Manual Handling Important Information What is manual handling? The transporting or supporting of a load by hand or bodily force, including: Manual handling is not just lifting or carrying – even pushing a trolley is considered to be a handling operation. © Emergency First Reponse 2008

Important Information Manual Handling Important Information Why bother? More than 1/3 of three-day or over injuries reported caused by poor manual handling techniques The overall cost to the UK of lost working days exceeds £3 billion Look after your back or you might regret it Back disorders most common form of ill health at work Quite a few of you may be wondering why training is necessary just for lifting boxes. The statistics show that the majority of accidents at work result from poor manual handling techniques and a huge number of working days are lost each year due to the resulting injuries. © Emergency First Reponse 2008

Important Information Terminology Employers: those who employ others Employees: the workforce Legislation: legal requirements from the government

Misconceptions about Manual Handling “Manual Handling doesn’t apply to me” Whether you work with heavy materials or in an office, this training will help protect you “Manual Handling is complicated and difficult” You will learn that handling safely is easy. It just requires careful planning, good technique and care

The Spine Spine is made up of individual bones called vertebrae Areas most commonly affected by injury are lumbar and pelvic (sacrum) regions Backbone provides physical strength and protects spinal cord

Common Injuries Injury Description Lower Back Pain Sciatica Manual Handling Common Injuries Injury Description Lower Back Pain Strain of muscles or ligaments connected to the vertebrae Sciatica Pain caused by irritation of the main nerve into the leg Tension Neck or Shoulder Inflammation of the neck or shoulder muscles and tendons. Bursitis Inflammation of soft tissue between bone and tendon at knee, elbow or shoulder Carpal Tunnel Syndrome Pressure on the nerves which pass up the wrist Tendonitis Inflammation of area where muscle and tendon are joined. A poor manual handling technique can lead to any number of injuries. Back problems are by far the most common type of resulting injury, but other limbs and parts of the body are also at risk. © Emergency First Reponse 2008

The Law and Manual Handling Employees’ responsibilities Follow appropriate systems of work Make proper use of equipment provided Co-operate with employer on health and safety matters Inform employer of hazardous handling activities Activities must not put others at risk It is the employers’ duty to inform members of staff of the risks and do as much as possible to minimise them. But all employees have responsibilities too. © Emergency First Reponse 2008

The Law and Manual Handling Legislation relevant to Manual Handling Health and Safety At Work Act 1974 Aims to protect workers Requires employers to provide safe workplace Requires employees to follow the systems implemented Manual Handling Operations Regulations 1992 Employers responsible for risk assessment Employees to use equipment appropriately, take care at all times and follow training provided

Assessing the Task You should ask yourself: Can handling be avoided? Manual Handling Assessing the Task You should ask yourself: Can handling be avoided? Can handling aids be used? Can surfaces aid lifting in stages? Can sliding the load bring it closer? Avoid rushing into a manual handling operation without thinking first. © Emergency First Reponse 2008

Assessing the Task Prior to handling, you should assess: Manual Handling Assessing the Task Prior to handling, you should assess: The weight of the load: is it too heavy? The access to the load: can you get close to it? The bulk of the load: is it manageable? The route: is it clear? The stability of the load: is it heavier at one end than the other? Demonstrate © Emergency First Reponse 2008

We are going to look at a number of manual handling scenarios We are going to look at a number of manual handling scenarios. Each situation is slightly different, however, there are some fundamental rules that apply at all times

Good Lifting Technique Positioning Position feet Maintain stability Suitable clothes and footwear Point in the direction of travel

Good Lifting Technique Positioning cont… Low level lifting Bend knees Keep back straight Lean forward Shoulders level and aligned with hips High/low level lifting Intermediate step to allow for handgrip change

Good Lifting Technique Manual Handling Good Lifting Technique Basic Rules Lift only what can be positioned close Position heaviest part nearest to you Ensure firm and secure grip Demonstrate © Emergency First Reponse 2008

Good Lifting Technique Manual Handling Good Lifting Technique Basic Rules cont… Lift slowly and smoothly Push from legs and keep back straight Raise chin as lift progresses Do not twist or jerk Lower load then adjust to a precise position Demonstrate © Emergency First Reponse 2008

Lifting Boxes Now let’s Practice Think and plan Keep load close Ensure a stable position Ensure a good hold Ensure good posture Prepare to lift Lift the load Things to avoid Now let’s Practice

Lifting Sacks Now let’s Practice When available, use a handling aid Where no handling aid available assume safe lifting position Grasp load at opposite corners, one at top and one at bottom Power body up with legs and use arms to raise load to rest on hip Fully stand and move load to rest on shoulder or close to torso Now let’s Practice

Pushing and Pulling Ensure a secure foothold Apply hands to load between waist and shoulder height, where possible Where safety considerations allow, push load using the leg muscles to exert the force

Pushing and Pulling Now let’s Practice Enlist help for slopes Uneven and soft surfaces requires more force Ensure feet are away from load Hands placed between waist and shoulder height Move load at walking pace Now let’s Practice

Unusually Shaped Objects Careful assessment of the load is vital Plan how task will be completed before beginning When available, use a handling aid Where no handling aid available, assume correct lifting position Ensure firm grip at appropriate points Hold object close to body Be prepared to rest object If in doubt – ask for help Now let’s Practice

Team Work Now let’s Practice Team must be of similar height Appoint a leader Plan the lift together Remember - Doubling the number of people doesn’t mean doubling the amount you carry! Now let’s Practice

Using Lifting Aids Lifting aids include: Hoists Trolleys Sack trucks Roller conveyors Chutes Hooks or suction pads Handling aids allow for more efficient use of body forces, reducing risk of injury Forklift trucks must only be used by suitably trained persons

Guidelines for Manual Handling There is no such thing as a completely ‘safe’ manual handling operation, but the following guidelines can help to minimise the risk of injury

Guidelines for Manual Handling This diagram gives you an idea of how a person’s lifting capacity decreases significantly if the load is not held close to the body. You can see that the optimum height at which to hold and transport a load is between knuckle and elbow height. © Emergency First Reponse 2008

Remember! Plan Prepare Posture Proceed

Risk Assessment What is risk assessment? 5 steps of risk assessment The examination of a task Identification of potential hazards Verification of how risk has been minimised 5 steps of risk assessment Identify hazards Who might be harmed and how Evaluate risks and decide on precautions Record findings and implement Review assessment and update if necessary

Dynamic risk assessment is vital to protecting yourself If manual handling is a regular part of your work, ensure a written risk assessment is completed by either you or your employer Every time you perform manual handling you should perform a mental risk assessment What could hurt you? Have you done everything to minimise risk? Dynamic risk assessment is vital to protecting yourself

Additional Factors What clothing might protect you? Hard hats Safety Goggles Gloves Footwear Others Good housekeeping is vital – trips and slips are a major danger when handling a load Personal factors

The Role of Managers How to help your team Ensure risk assessments have been completed Ensure handling equipment is available and in proper working order Reinforce correct handling techniques at all times Only qualified staff to complete manual handling tasks In the event of an accident, follow workplace protocols and complete appropriate paperwork

In the Event of an Accident Assess the scene Is it safe to approach casualty? Only move casualty if in immediate danger Shout out for help Check for breathing Call for ambulance if necessary Contact appointed first aider Follow workplace emergency protocols Consider taking part in first aid training

Scenarios