1. Manual Handling
An Introduction

2. Manual Handling

3. Course Content Statistics Definition Anatomy & Injuries Mechanics Law
Risk Assessment
Lifting Safely

4. Anyone Hurt?

5. Accident Statistics Largest cause of accidents at work
37% Manual Handling
19% Slips, Trips and Falls
12% Other Causes
20% Struck by an Object
7% Falling from Height
5% Machinery

6. Accident Statistics
Interpreted another way - the overall figure of 37% means that:
86000 people are absent daily
26,500,000 working days are lost annually
£1000,000,000 is lost in production, sickness benefit and medical costs
In terms of suffering each injury results in an average of 20 days off work – some never fully recover. Four out of five people suffer with back related problems at some time – the risk is greater after the age of 30.

7. Definition of Manual Handling
The transporting or supporting of a load by hand or some other part of the body including the lifting, putting down, pushing, pulling, carrying, moving or intentionally dropping or throwing a load

8. Anatomy Spine Three main functions To protect the spinal cord
To allow movement.
To support the upper body
Complex System
Spinal Cord
Nerves
Ligaments
Muscles & Tendons

9. Anatomy Spine - Strong and Flexible Problems – contributory factors
Gentle ‘S’ bend
Move or lift in wrong way balance can be disturbed
Problems – contributory factors
Poor physical condition
Posture
Lack of exercise
Excess weight
Illness

10. Vertebrae 33 bones – the top 24 are separated by discs
Spinal Cord
Disc
Vertebrae
33 bones – the top 24 are separated by discs
Each vertebrae has 4 joints which enables movement
Vertebrae are larger towards the bottom of the spine
Vertebrae

11. Anatomy Discs Act as shock absorbers Firmly attached to vertebrae
Poor blood supply
Annulus stretches and relaxes during movement.
Nucleus
Annulus

12. Anatomy
Discs
Repeated stresses can cause minute tears and bulging of the disk.
Presses on adjacent nerves and ligaments – pins & needles, pain, numbness
Commonly called a slipped disc

13. Muscles Muscles are bundles of fibre which enable movement
Messages from the brain cause them to contract and relax
Connected by tendons and when muscles contract the bones are drawn closer together
A damaged muscle is called a strain

14. Mechanics Balance point is through centre of body when standing
A load held in front disturbs the balance - tension is generated in the back muscles to compensate
Forms a lever effect
Average person holding a 10kg load at arms length generates a counterbalancing tension up to 10 times more – to avoid falling over
High or repetitive levels of tension in the back can cause damage – called muscle strain

15. Mechanics Lever effect is reduced if load held closer to the body
Centre of Gravity
Centre of Gravity
Lever effect is reduced if load held closer to the body

16. Ligaments & Nerves Ligaments Nerves Strong fibrous tissue
Small degree of elasticity
Stooped back posture can result in permanent elongation – weakness and pain
Damaged if stretched too far and torn – called a sprain.
Nerves
Millions of fibres transmitting electrical impulses
Vertebrae enclose and protect
Nerves branch out from the spinal cord and pass between vertebrae
Irritated nerves can be felt right along there length – called sciatica

17. Manual Handling Regulations 1992
Regulations provide a hierarchy of measures
Employers must:
Avoid manual handling where possible
Assess any hazardous activities where manual handling can’t be avoided
If the assessment indicates a significant risk of injury a more specific assessment must be made
Reduce the risk of injury as far as is reasonably practicable

18. Manual Handling Regulations 1992
Employees have duties too:
Follow the laid down systems of work
Make proper use of equipment provided
Co-operate in H&S matters
Advise your manager if you are unwell
Not putting other people at risk

19. Risk Assessment I Individual’s capabilities L Load E Environment
T Task
I Individual’s capabilities
L Load
E Environment
any other factors

20. The Task Holding loads away from body Strenuous pushing and pulling
Twisting
Stooping
Reaching upwards
Large vertical movements
Long travel distances
Strenuous pushing and pulling
Unpredictable movement of load
Repetitive handling
Insufficient rest or recovery time
Workrate imposed by the process

21. Individual Capability
Physical condition
Illness
Pregnancy
Requires unusual capabilities
Call for special information or training

22. The Load Heavy Bulky or unwieldy Difficult to grasp
Unstable/unpredictable
Harmful ie sharp/hot

23. The Working Environment
Constraints on posture eg lack of space
Poor floors
Variations in levels
Hot/cold/rain/ice/humid conditions
Strong air movement
Poor lighting conditions

24. Other Factors and people!!
Is movement hindered by clothing or personal protective clothing
and people!!
High Stress
Poor Diet
Lack of exercise
Rushing – pressure of work
Showing off
Short cuts

25. Risk Assessment Identify the elements of significant risk
Decide who might be harmed and how
Evaluate risks/Control measures
Record the findings of assessment
Review/revise assessment
T Task
I Individual’s capabilities
L Load
E Environment

26. Video
Manual Handling – The Facts

27. Lifting Safely Ultimate Objective To Relieve Fatigue & Strain
Use correct handling techniques
Ensure good vision
Change position regularly
Avoid over reaching or stretching
Adjust work surface heights
Relax where possible
Use mechanical aids

28. Kinetic Lifting Summarised by: Plan the Route Assess the load
Correct position of feet
Straight back
Correct grip
Lift smoothly

29. Kinetic Lifting Plan the Route Where is the load going
Are there obstructions in the way
Is there somewhere to set it down

30. Kinetic Lifting One Person Lift Determine the weight
Look for sharp edges
See if weight is evenly distributed
Keep heaviest side to body
Decide how to hold the load
If it is too heavy use a trolley or get assistance

31. Kinetic Lifting Correct Positioning of Feet Comfortably apart
One foot positioned in direction of movement
Other foot where it can give maximum thrust to the body
To maintain good balance feet should never be too close together on the ground

32. Kinetic Lifting Straight Back Lower the body by relaxing the knees
Keep your back straight (but not vertical)
Keep load close to body
Keep chin in and head back

33. Kinetic Lifting Lifting
If lifting from ground make maximum use of legs
Keep back straight but inclined forward
As lift proceeds and the legs are straightened the back returns to vertical position
Positioning of feet and bending of knees are the key factors in maintaining a straight back

34. Kinetic Lifting Correct Grip
Take a firm grip by using the palms of the hands and roots of fingers
Taking weight on finger tips will create pressure at the end of fingers and could strain muscles and tendons in the arms
A full palm grip will reduce muscle stress to the arms and decrease the possibility of the load slipping

35. Kinetic Lifting Lifting Smoothly
Thrust from back foot and straightening of knees will move body forwards and upwards – briefly off balance
Immediately countered by bringing the back foot forward as if walking
Lift now completed - forward movement results in smooth transition from lifting to carrying

36. Kinetic Lifting Carrying the Load Setting the Load Down
Make sure you can see where you are going
Avoid twisting the body – move your feet instead
If you need to change your grip – set the load down – not whilst walking
Setting the Load Down
Use the correct stance for lifting and set the load down gently

37. Kinetic Lifting Two Person Lift Decide who will be caller
Assess the weight
Correct positioning of feet
Straight back
Correct grip
Lift together
The caller co-ordinates the lift and ensures each lifter knows what to do and when

38. Kinetic Lifting - Summary
Plan the route, the lift and the set down point
Position your feet - bent knees, straight back
Firm grip, lift smoothly,
Move the feet – do not twist body
Keep the load close to the body
Put down smoothly – then adjust for final position

39. Conclusion?