MANUAL HANDLING

AWARENESS TRAINING COURSE FOR STAFF

CHANGING CULTURES People are often injured because of either a lack of

knowledge or an unwillingness to get help.

Don’t be a manual handling hero!

Remember: your well being rests on your ability to do your job safely - get help, get it right.

ACCIDENT STATISTICS

0%

10%

20%

30%

40% HandlingMachineryFallsStruck ByTripsOthers

0%

20%

40%

60%

80%SprainsFracturesLacerationsContusionsOthersSuperficial

INJURIES STATISTICS

0%

10%

20%

30%

40%

50%BackFinger/ThumbArmLower LimbRest of TorsoHandOthers

SITES OF INJURIES STATISTICS

BACK PAIN - THE SCALE OF THE PROBLEM

On average each sufferer took 17.4 days off work.

2 million people in Great Britain suffered from work related ill health in 2004/05 - one in five of those involved a bad back.

Around 4½ million working days were lost through bad backs in 2001/02.

One in eight unemployed people say that back pain is the reason they're not working.

Figures taken from HSE better backs campaign 2006.

THE BACK

Vertebrae

Disc

Spinal Cord

Where The Worst Damage Gets Done!

MANUAL HANDLING TECHNIQUES

WARM UP EXERCISES

Warming up before taking any manual work is essential to avoid damage to muscles and ligaments. Examples of exercises include:

Arm Circles Limb Shakes Spot Marching

Shoulder Rotations Breathing Leg Swings

POOR MANUAL HANDLING TECHNIQUES

Head erect

Chin up

Back straight

Elbows in

Knees bent

Feet slightly apart

GOOD MANUAL HANDLING TECHNIQUES

Are handling aids available to prevent/reduce manual handling?

Where is the load going?

Do you need help.

Remove obstructions.

Is the way clear of slip hazards?

Do you need rest stops?

PLAN THE LIFTPrior to carrying out any manual handling task stop & think … plan the lift……

Look at the position of the loadSlide it towards you rather than reaching.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.

ASSESS THE LOAD

To maintain good balance feet should never be too close together on the ground.

PICKING UP THE LOAD Part 1 – position yourself correctly next to the load

Correct Positioning of Feet:

Comfortably apart.

One foot positioned in direction of movement.

Other foot where it can give maximum thrust to the body.

With a 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.

Lean over the load to get a firm grip.

PICKING UP THE LOAD Part 2– Bending down to pick up the load

If lifting from ground make maximum use of legs.

Keep back straight but inclined forward.

Lift smoothly.

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.

LIFTING THE LOAD

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.

CARRYING THE LOADPart 1 - Ensure the load is gripped correctly

Make sure you can see where you are going.

Avoid twisting the body, move your feet instead.

Keep the load as close to your body as possible.

If you need to change your grip,set the load down – not whilst walking.

Set the load down and adjust.

Use the correct stance for lifting and set the load down gently.

CARRYING THE LOADPart 2 – Walking with the load and laying it down.

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.

GUIDELINES FOR A TWO PERSON LIFT

GUIDELINE WEIGHTS FOR LIFTING (MALE)

Shoulder Height

Knuckle Height

Full Height

Elbow Height

Mid Lower Leg 5kg

10kg

15kg

20kg

25kg

20kg

10kg

5kg10kg

10kg

Each box in the diagram shows guideline weights for lifting and lowering.

The weights assume that the load is readily grasped with both hands and the operation takes place in reasonable conditions with the lifter in a stable position.

Shoulder Height

Knuckle Height

Full Height

Elbow Height

Mid Lower Leg 3kg

7kg

10kg

13kg

16kg

13kg

7kg

3kg7kg

7kg

GUIDELINE WEIGHTS FOR LIFTING (FEMALE)

Each box in the diagram shows guideline weights for lifting and lowering.

The weights assume that the load is readily grasped with both hands and the operation takes place in reasonable conditions with the lifter in a stable position.

Head erect

Chin up

Back straight

Elbows in

Knees bent

Feet slightly apart

GOOD MANUAL HANDLING TECHNIQUES

IF YOU HAVE BACK PAIN Try to keep moving.

Try to stay at work or get back as soon as possible.

Heat or cold may help.

May need to reduce or modify activities.

If severe you may need to rest for a few days.

Seek medical advice.

The faster you get going the sooner your back will feel better.

You can help prevent back pain by:

Maintaining good posture.

Exercising regularly.

Warming up appropriately for tasks/exercise.

Watching your weight.

Changing posture regularly when performing repetitive tasks.

Keeping fit and active.

REMEMBER!

PRACTICAL EXERCISES