Manual Handling Soft Skills Programme Nexus Alliance Ltd

Session Elements 1. Definition 2. Injuries and Statistics 3. Anatomy of the Spine 4. Risk Assessment 5. Safe Handling Techniques 2. Mechanical Aids

Definition What is Manual Handling? Any activity requiring the use of force exerted by a person, including,

Definition What is Manual Handling? Or move or restrain any animal person or thing

Injuries and Statistics Types of injuries External Cuts Bruises Crush injuries Lacerations Internal Muscle and ligament strain Hernia Prolapsed disc

Injuries and Statistics Types of injuries Acute Injuries that occur immediately fractures, sprains, strains, slipped discs, cuts, abrasions etc Chronic Injuries that take time to manifest themselves Sciatica, Loss of mobility, repetitive strain injuries etc

Injuries and Statistics UK Statistics over 3 day injuries

Injuries and Statistics UK Statistics site of injuries

Injuries and Statistics UK Statistics type of injuries

Anatomy of the Spine The neutral position The spine is not straight Trunk and head upright Arms by side of body Hands in handshake position Shoulder in neutral position Body in a relaxed balanced condition

Anatomy of the Spine Cervical lordosis Thoracic kyphosis Cervical region – 7 vertebrae Cervical lordosis Thoracic region – 12 vertebrae Thoracic kyphosis Lumber region – 5 vertebrae Lumber lordosis Sacrum and coccyx

Anatomy of the Spine The neutral position Consists of 33 Bones/vertebrae Spinal cord Discs Nerves Ligaments

Risk Assessment Hazard and Risk Hazard Something with the potential to cause harm Can be physical, chemical, biological, ergonomic or psychological Risk The likelihood that harm will occur and the severity of the harm

Risk Assessment Will cover following headings Task Individual Load Environment

Risk Assessment Hierarchy of Control

Risk Assessment Group exercise Student participation –Group risk assessment of a lifting operation. Consider TILE throughout.

Safe Handling Techniques Hazard and Risk Hazard Something with the potential to cause harm Can be physical, chemical, biological, ergonomic or psychological Risk The likelihood that harm will occur and the severity of the harm

Safe Handling Techniques Group exercise Student participation –demo holding arms out. Ask the group to stand up and extend their arms in front of them – hold for one minute – lean forward slightly, i.e. transfer weight on to toes, but still keep the heels on the ground -1minute – now lift heels from the ground, and transfer the weight further forwards, maintaining balance, (if possible). Then ask them to relax. Discuss what group noticed – loss of balance, muscle stiffening/static muscular work. Ask the group what they think stopped them falling over during the last stages of the exercise. State that the muscle tension, and the back tension, in particular, protects the balance during manual handling activity. After all, the movements that the group was making would with minor adjustments, be a very common one. Discuss Picking a turkey up out of a freezer or off a shelf at a supermarket how much pressure is put on your spine? Alternatively talk about picking child up out of car seat.

Safe Handling Techniques Effects of loads on the body

Safe Handling Techniques Effects of loads on the body

Safe Handling Techniques Effects of loads on the body

Safe Handling Techniques Effects of loads on the body

Safe Handling Techniques Assess the load Size Weight Position Shape Hand holds PPE.

Safe Handling Techniques Assess the Route Un-obstructed Doors Floor condition Change in levels Distance.

Safe Handling Techniques Correct stance Feet apart for balanced stable lift Leading leg in front as far as is comfortable Feet in the direction of travel

Safe Handling Techniques Head up Keep your head up Chin in Natural curve back Should feel normal and comfortable

Safe Handling Techniques Head up Relaxed muscles are less prone to injury Bend the knees so that the hands when grasping the load are as nearly level with the waist as possible Do not over-flex the knees Keep the shoulders level and facing the same direction as the hips

Safe Handling Techniques Bend knees Relaxed muscles are less prone to injury Bend the knees so that the hands when grasping the load are as nearly level with the waist as possible Do not over-flex the knees Keep the shoulders level and facing the same direction as the hips

Safe Handling Techniques Firm hold Select hand hold Use whole hand not fingers Palms up Elbows in Arms within boundary of legs

Safe Handling Techniques Load close to body Heavy side of load close to body Reduce stress on the back Reposition load if required to achieve this.

Safe Handling Techniques The lift Head up Chin in Elbows in Firm grip Breath in Straight back Lift with leg muscles.

Safe Handling Techniques Putting load down Reverse of the lifting operation. Body begins to lower in a base fashion Finally head is allowed to drop If precise positioning of the load is necessary, put it down first, then slide it into the desired position.

Safe Handling Techniques Group exercise Student participation –demo palms up and palm down. Ask the group to stand up one at a time and pick a small load up, first with palms down then with palms up. Ask which feels more comfortable and gives less stress to the muscles.

Safe Handling Techniques Group exercise Student participation –demo elbow out or in. Ask the group to stand up and extend their elbows out. Hold the position for 1 minute and then ask them to lower there elbows to the waist. Ask which is easier, in or out.

Safe Handling Techniques Group exercise Student participation –demo safe lift. Ask the group to one at a time to come forward and following the given steps, safely lift from floor position an empty medium size box. Point out any errors.

Safe Handling Techniques Team lifting One person to plan & control throughout operation Compatible individual team member sizes PPE Team member positions and hand holds Establish words of command (on 3 or after 3) Co-ordinated of movements Awareness of team members (walking backwards, stairs).

Safe Handling Techniques Group exercise Student participation –demo safe team lift. Ask the group in pairs to come forward and following the given steps, safely lift from floor position an empty large size box or chair. Point out any errors.

Mechanical Aids Considerations Hierarchy of control Risk Matrix Can we use mechanised aids to achieve ALARP Severity of Harm Slight (1) Serious (2) Major (3) Low (1) 1 2 3 Medium (2) 4 6 High (3) 9 Probability of Harm

Mechanical Aids Types

Mechanical Aids Types

Manual Handling Any Questions?