2. What you will learn in this session  Accessing resources including legislation, local/national policies & guidelines  An organisation’s responsibilities for promoting a safe working environment including best moving & handling practices  Your responsibilities for ensuring & promoting best moving & handling practices  Recognising 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. Organisations: 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 www.sci-recovery.org www.sci-recovery.org Ensuring good musculo-skeletal health is essential to enable safe moving and handling.

10.  Musculo-skeletal 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 Most common injuries

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?

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. STOP THINK PROBLEM SOLVE Assessment leads to a plan

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

25. Guidelines for handling whilst seated

26.  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 Pushing/pulling guidelines MaleFemale Guidelines for stopping/starting a load 20 Kgs (ie about 200 newtons) 15 Kgs (ie about 150 newtons) Guidelines for keeping the load in motion 10 Kgs (ie about 100 newtons) 7 Kgs (ie 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: www.hse.gov.uk and specifically www.hse.gov.uk http://www.hse.gov.uk/msd/manualhandling.htm  National Back Exchange: www.nationalbackexchange.org

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/Student handbook

30. THANK YOU Any Questions? Insert trainer’s name, telephone number and email here