1. Manual Handling Safety Workshop
Copyright Les Kelly 2011 CTDHC

2. 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

3. 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

4. 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

5. 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!

6. 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

7. Spine Section

8. Adopt a good posture Bend the knees Lower the body
Keep shoulders level

9. Question?
How would lift and move these objects?

10. 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