1. Manual Handling Presented by Occupational Health

2. My Philosophy Prevention Through Education

3. Manual Handling Any transporting or supporting of a load by hand or by bodily force. Includes –lifting –putting down –pushing or pulling –carrying or moving

4. Ergonomics The science of matching The worker to the job

5. Musculoskeletal Injuries Neck Back Shoulders Arms, forearms, wrists and hands Lower Limbs and feet

6. Functions of your spine Central support for the upright posture. Suspension for shoulders and ribs Protects cords and nerves Allows considerable movement Anchor point for muscles and ligaments

8. Look after your back! As you can see the spine is vital to us therefore make sure you look after yours!

10. Spinal Components Vertebrae, the bones Discs, which separate them at the front Facet joints, which link them at the back. Ligaments and muscles which provide support.

11. Spinal Disc

12. Back Pain Heavy work e.g. lifting, bending twisting, forceful exertions etc. Prolonged sedentary work. Prolonged work in a stooped position Psychological stress Vibration

13. Onset of Back Pain 50% Acute Onset –You literally feel it as it happens. 50% Insidious Onset –You cannot associate the start of the pain with any single event.

15. Slipped Disc

16. Responsibility Employers are responsible for assessing the workplace for potential risks and are required, by law, to take appropriate measures to control them

17. Employers Duty A safe place of work Safe systems of work Appropriate instruction and training –e.g. this course EMPLOYEES also have a DUTY to work safely To Provide:

18. Hierarchy of Measures Avoid hazardous manual handling operations as far as is reasonably practicable. Assess any hazardous manual handling operations that cannot be avoided, and Reduce the risk of injury so far as is reasonable practicable.

19. Manual Handling Task Individual Loads Environment T.I.L.E Other Factors e.g. wearing protective clothing.

20. The Tasks Holding or manipulating loads at a distance from your body. Unsatisfactory bodily movements or posture, especially twisting, stooping or reaching upwards. Excessive movement of the load. Risk of sudden movement of the load. Frequent or prolonged physical work. Do they Involve :

21. The Task Insufficient rest or recovery periods e.g. piecework A rate of work imposed by the process e.g. machine running too fast for operator

22. Modifying the Task

23. Loading Pallets

24. The Loads Heavy? Bulky or unwieldy? Unstable or with their contents liable to shift? Sharp, hot, or otherwise potentially damaging? Difficult to carry? Are there handling points? Are they:

25. Modifying the Load Make the load lighter Reducing the size or changing the shape of the load. Improving the handling points Make the load more stable.

26. Manageable Load

28. Heights

29. Sitting Capabilities

30. Individual Capability Require unusual strength or height? Create a hazard to those who might reasonable be considered to be pregnant or have a health problem? Do you always know? Require special information or training for its safe performance? Firemen are trained to lift a person, are you? Does the task:

31. The Working Environment Space constraints preventing good posture? Variations in levels of floors or work surfaces? Extremes of temperature or humidity? Poor Lighting conditions? Outside work, extreme weather conditions?

32. Other Factors Personal protective equipment –gloves, breathing apparatus, chemical suit Is clothing bulky or restrict movement?

33. Hazardous Lifting

34. Correct Lifting

36. Lifting with your back bent is 4 times more stressful than lifting with you back straight. Is this increased level of risk acceptable?

37. Summary Always think BEFORE you lift. –Does it have to be done? –Can I reduce the risk? –Can I get help? Do not bend or twist while lifting Its no fun having a bad back Lift with a straight back

38. Remember Prevention is the key