1. Level 1 – All staff, including unpaid and voluntary staff
Moving and Handling
Level 1 – All staff, including unpaid and voluntary staff
MH Presentation Ver4 March 2016 UMH01-01N

2. What you will learn in this session
Accessing resources including legislation, local / national policies and guidelines
An organization’s responsibilities for promoting a safe working environment including best moving and handling practices
Your responsibilities for ensuring and promoting best moving and handling practices
Recognizing risk factors that may cause injury
Correct posture for safe moving and handling practices
Importance of good back care
How to carry out a risk assessment
How to control risk
Importance of good communication and a team approach

3. Why is this important?
Moving and handling can be a frequent activity for most employees
In health and social care, moving and handling injuries account for 40% of work-related sickness absence.
Around 5000 moving and handling injuries are reported each year in health services
It costs the NHS £1 billion a year to treat injuries resulting from manual handling

4. What the law says
Significant amount of legislation and guidance related to moving and handling
Health & Safety at Work, etc. Act (1974)
Manual Handling Operations Regulations (1992 – amended 2004)
Aim is to protect, employers, employees and the public

5. Your employer has responsibilities to…
AVOID moving and handling activities if there is a risk of injury to you
ASSESS moving and handling activities if it cannot be avoided
REDUCE the risk of injury to employees as far as reasonably practicable
REVIEW risk assessments regularly

6. Actions required to promote a Safer Workplace
Implement and make available organisational policies and guidance
Introduce specialist roles to lead & coordinate systems and procedures e.g. Moving and Handling Advisors
Undertake risk assessments, monitor, complete regular audits, act upon findings & ensure they are disseminated
Provide employees with training and guidance
Provide specialist equipment to support safer moving and handling activities
Provide support services e.g. Occupational Health

7. You have responsibilities to:
Follow prescribed safe systems of work
Be aware of and understand your organisation’s moving and handling policy
Use equipment provided properly
Do not misuse or interfere with equipment provided for your safety
Co-operate with your employer on moving and handling matters
Tell your employer if you identify hazardous handling activities or any defects in equipment
Ensure your activities or omissions don't put yourself or others at risk

8. How is moving and handling defined?
“ ...any transporting or supporting of a load (including the lifting, putting down, pushing, pulling, carrying or moving thereof) by hand or bodily force”
“A load is defined as an object, a person or an animal”
MHOR, 1992

9. The spine and back The spine consists of: Spinal cord Vertebrae
Intervertebral discs
Ligaments
Tendons
Muscles
Ensuring good musculo-skeletal health is essential to enable safe moving and handling 9

10. Most common injuries
Musculoskeletal disorders to the back and limbs including damage to:
Joints
Muscles
Tendons & ligaments
Intervertebral discs
Repetitive Strain Injury
Hernias
Abrasions/bruises
Wear and tear
Fractures

11. Promoting healthy back care
Key activities include:
Always ensure a good posture
Try to use a chair with a backrest.
Change how you sit every few minutes
Stay active and exercise.
Particularly strengthen abdominal and back muscles
Maintain a healthy weight
Quit smoking
Reduce stress NHS Choices

12. Ergonomic Approach to Assessment of Risk
Fitting the job to the person rather than the person to the job
T.I.L.E.
Task
Individual capability
Load
Environment

13. The Task…. Why am I moving the person/load?
Can the move be avoided in some way?
How often will I perform this task?
Where am I going to and from?
What is the most effective / safer way of fulfilling the task?

14. Individual capability
Does it need unusual capabilities?
Am I the best person to do this?
Does my health affect my ability?
Do I require specific information/training?
Does it require a team approach?
Do I require protective clothing and will this hinder me? 14

15. The Load Heavy? Bulky or unwieldy? An odd shape? Difficult to grasp?
Unstable or unpredictable?
Hot or cold?
Sharp?
Slippery?

16. The Environment Consider the following: Lack of space to move
High or low work surfaces
Uneven or slippery floors
Steps
Inadequate lighting
Cold, hot or humid
Obstructions

17. Other possible risk factors…
Consider:
Previous or existing injuries
Psycho/social factors
Availability of equipment
Use of protective clothing

18. Principles of Safer Handling
Stop and Think
Stable Base
Assess the Load
Prepare the Area
Spine in Line
Firm Hold
Hold the Load Close to the Body
Lead with the Head Up
Clear Commands
Move Smoothly
Key Point
You are expected to be aware of and use the Principles of Safer Handing to promote your safety.

19. Assessment leads to a plan
STOP
THINK
PROBLEM SOLVE

20. Position your feet correctly
Position your feet apart
Place the leading leg as far forward as is comfortable
Try to position leading leg in the direction you intend to go
Wear suitable footwear

21. Adopt a good posture Keep your spine in line Maintain normal curve
Bend your knees
Don’t over-flex your joints
Keep your shoulders level
Raise your head
Face same direction as the hips

22. Get a good hold Keep arms within the boundary formed by your legs
Keep the load as close to your centre of gravity as possible
Get a firm grip
Is the load hot or cold? Do you need gloves?

23. Use equipment to move objects
You must be trained to use handling equipment
Equipment should always be checked prior to use
Report any concerns regarding damage
Is it suitable for the task?

24. HSE: Numerical guidelines for lifting and lowering loads
Key Point
Weights to be lifted may need to be reduced below the guideline values if there are any factors that could affect the moving and handling activity
Source: HSE , Manual Handling at Work Guide 24

25. Guidelines for handling whilst seated

26. Pushing and pulling guidelines
Assuming force applied with hands between knuckles and shoulder height, the figures below highlight the recommended maximum amount of force that needs to be applied to push/pull a load
Male
Female
Guidelines for stopping/starting a load
20 Kgs (about 200 newtons)
15 Kgs (about 150 newtons)
Guidelines for keeping the load in motion
10 Kgs (about 100 newtons)
7 Kgs (about 70 newtons)
Over the stated guidelines an assessment has to be undertaken

27. Team handling
Lifting as a team does not mean you can lift lots more weight!
Two people cannot lift twice as much, only 2/3 the sum of their individual capabilities
Three people cannot lift three times as much, only 1/2 the sum of their individual capabilities
Think about the dignity and safety of everyone
Identify the lead to coordinate the move

28. Sources of information
Your local Moving and Handling Advisor
Health and Safety Executive:
and specifically:
National Back Exchange:

29. Acknowledgements
Due to space restrictions of this document, a full list of people who contributed to the development of this learning material is provided in the Moving and Handling Reader

30. THANK YOU Any Questions?