Transcript Employment Relations for Managers

a guide to
lifting
and
other manual
tasks
*
in the hotel industry
developed for small
business by the
queensland
hotels
association
funded by
the department
of justice and
attorneygeneral
workplace health
and safety
queensland
UPDATED: 2012
1
Chapter 1: Manual (Handling) Tasks
What are manual tasks?
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Formerly known as manual handling, manual tasks are essentially any workplace
activity that require the use of force by a person.
Primarily lifting but includes pushing, pulling, grasping, throwing, striking,
restraining, lowering, holding etc.
Why do we need this manual tasks guide?
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About 50% of workers compensation claims in Queensland relate to what’s called
‘musculoskeletal disorders’ – these are injuries caused by manual task activities
at work.
You need to know about this guide if you work in a hotel in Queensland.
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2
Chapter 2: Manual Task Injuries
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Are there any Queensland manual task laws?
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Yes – there is a legislated health and safety ‘duty of care’ for everyone in the
workforce.
There’s a Hazardous Manual Tasks Code of Practice 2011 which we also have
to adhere to.
How are injuries caused while doing a manual task?
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By either a sudden trauma such as a direct blow or over-exerting yourself when
you’re lifting an object, or
Wear and tear over a long period of time when you’re doing the same thing all
the time.
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Chapter 2: Injuries continued…..
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What sort of injuries are normally caused?
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Some of the more common injuries sustained are ligament sprain, muscle
strain, herniated disc, hernia and soft tissue injury.
Injuries to the back, shoulders and wrists are the most frequent.
Wrong way!
I’m using my
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The spine is strong but quite vulnerable to different forces.
back instead of
my legs
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Refer to the guide (pages 6 – 11) for more detail.
What sort of activities can cause these injuries?
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Load handling: frequent or repetitive lifting, or lifting too quickly
specially loads that are too heavy for you.
Awkward body positions including over-reaching or twisting the
body.
Lifting loads too far away from the body.
Bending over and using your back instead of your legs.
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4
Chapter 2: Injuries continued…..
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How do you prevent getting injured when doing a manual task?
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Use mechanical aids like trolleys, pallet jacks and carts
Use other workmates to help you (a team lift).
Keep the correct posture by using the natural curves of the spine.
Keep your back straight and lift with the legs.
Don’t try and lift too much.
Using a trolley is
the way to go!
Legs bent
back straight
Keep the load
close to the
body
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5
Chapter 3: Hazards in Hotels
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What are the main manual task hazards in a hotel?
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Young persons – especially young casual staff as there is a tendency for
less ‘ownership’ of a workplace and sometimes this, combined with a lack of
maturity, reduces the capacity of their antennae to detect ‘danger’.
Stacking above shoulder height – a very frequent practice, especially with
cartons in cool rooms or in storage. Results in an ‘unnatural’ twisting or
bending of the back, or over-reaching which can cause injury.
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Use a ladder to access or just stop the practice or paint a line around the store
room and don’t allow stacking above that height.
I think I need a
ladder?
No worries mate
ten feet tall and
bulletproof!
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Too high
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6
Chapter 3: Hazards continued….
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Moving kegs or cartons – a 50 litre keg weighs more than 65 kilos so
they’re heavy and awkward:
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Never lift a full keg on your own, a keg trolley or a keg lifter is preferred.
Use other people to help you lift kegs i.e. team lifting.
Rolling kegs along on their bottom edge is acceptable.
Avoid double stacking without assistance (mechanical).
Use a trolley to move cartons – don’t overload.
Use your legs when lifting cartons, not your back
Don’t double
stack
Single lift – no!
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Rolling along is
O.K.
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Chapter 3 – Hazards continued….
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Behind the bar – when you’re carrying trays of glasses keep them
close into your body.
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Avoid twisting or turning your back when reaching below or behind the bar for
glasses or other products.
Be careful when reaching up to dispense spirits from raised nip pourers.
In the kitchen – avoid standing for long periods working at benches
or sinks that are too low.
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The recommended height for a bench is just below elbow level.
A spring loaded plate dispenser mitigates having to carry large quantities.
Use trolleys or carts to carry filled heavy pots or containers
Only a few at a
time
8
Chapter 3 – Hazards continued….
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Housekeeping – these functions are repetitive, require overreaching and involve twisting/turning movements.
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It is a good idea to ‘warm up’ before starting physical work.
Always use your knees when bed making to support yourself.
Squat or kneel as you clean under tables and difficult places to clean
and don’t use your back all the time.
Use a trolley to carry or distribute clean and dirty linen.
Vacuum cleaner ‘backpacks’ are generally recommended.
Posture is
important
The office – seating posture and ergonomics are important.

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Change your seating position often.
Support your lower back.
Use your knee for
support
Kneel beside the
bed – don’t use
your back
9
Chapter 4 – Risk Management
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Risk management – this is a process to follow to identify,
assess and manage workplace hazards. The process (SAM
method) is:
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Spot the hazard – identify the problem manual task(s).
Assess the risk – prioritise the hazard(s).
Make the changes – use the ‘hierarchy of controls’ to fix it:
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Eliminate. Remove the hazard entirely.
Substitute. Replace the hazard or change for a lower risk option?
Isolate. Stop access to the hazard.
Engineer. Physical solution such as using mechanical means.
Administrative solution. Implement training or introduce a procedure.
Personal Protective Clothing i.e. steel capped boots – as a last resort.
Solutions to fix it include:
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Purchase better designed equipment, change the load size, use trolleys or
jacks, lower storage heights, team lifting, changing work postures, rotate the
task, maintain workplace equipment or employment screening.
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Chapter 5 – Mechanical Aids
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Mechanical aids (trolleys, pallet jacks and carts) are used to help
minimise your exposure to manual task risks.
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Assess the load – is the mechanical aid suited to the tasks?
Mechanical aids – need to be light and kept close to where work is done.
Training – workers need to know the correct way of operating the device.
Maintenance – mechanical aids must be well maintained.
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Chapter 6 – Lifting & Moving Techniques
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Training – lifting is the most common example of incorrect technique.
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Training staff in proper lifting techniques should be considered in conjunction
with other options.
SINGLE PERSON LIFT
Assess the load
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Where is the load going?
Do you need help?
Is there a clear path?
What is the best way to lift the load?
Do I need to rest during the lift?
Don’t overdo it!
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Chapter 6 – Lifting Continued….
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Keep the load close to your body (and waist).
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Turn with your feet and not with your hips.
Your shoulders in the same direction as your hips.
Look up and ahead when you are travelling.
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A straight back keeps the spine in its neutral position.
Keep a firm hold on the load – hug it close to the body.
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Keep it close to the
body
Keep your back straight – bend at the knees.
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Heaviest side to the body and move your feet for balance.
You need to see where you are going.
Keep a straight back when placing the load down.
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Bending the knees again.
No twisting!
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Chapter 6 – Lifting Continued….
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Team lifting – is essentially an extension of individual lifting, but you
have assistance from one or more persons.
Team lifting is a solution if you don’t have suitable mechanical
means.
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You need to make an assessment:
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Use a team lift if the load is awkward in shape, or
The load is large but not necessarily heavy, or
The load will obscure your vision when carrying it.
Pick someone of similar height.
Pick a male if you can (males are physically stronger).
Avoid very young or very old people.
Injuries can occur if – the load is not distributed evenly, the lifters
don’t coordinate the lift or only one person bears all the weight.
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Chapter 6 – Lifting Continued….
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To complete a team lift:
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Communicate when lifting and carrying the load
You must have adequate numbers for the load.
Ensure there is enough room for all the lifters.
Someone should be in control and pace yourselves.
Apply the single lift procedure (for team lifting).
Pushing v Pulling
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Pushing too high
and upright
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The three parts to this are starting the load in motion, sustaining it and stopping
– it’s the starting that’s the most difficult.
It is better to push than pull as it involves less lower back work.
Individual circumstances can also dictate what you do.
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Chapter 7 – Warm Up Exercises
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Simple stretches can aid reducing the risk of injury
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The following set of exercises are a guide only (refer to the handbook pages 28 – 29 for more information).
Neck stretch. Place
your left palm on the
right ear and carefully
apply slight pressure
towards
the
left
shoulder
while
you
push
your
head
upright. Release and
repeat other side.
Shoulder stretch. Take
your
right
arm
straight across your
chest and curl the left
arm
around
your
elbow, gently pulling
on the right arm to
deepen the stretch in
the shoulders.
With arms straight,
clasp your fingers in
front of you while
keeping your back
upright. Gently push
your
hands
away
from you until you
feel a stretch across
the back of the
shoulders. Hold for
about 8-10 seconds.
Triceps
stretch.
Place
your
arm
above the head and
cradle your elbow
with a hand. Gently
pull
elbow
down
behind the head.
Hold for about 10
seconds and then
change sides.
Standing
side
stretch. Place your
right hand on your
right
hip;
bend
your upper body to
the left and hold for
several
seconds.
Bring
the
body
back to the original
stance. Repeat on
the other side.
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Chapter 7 – Warm Up Continued….
Stand with your feet hipwidth
apart
and
firmly
planted on the ground. Your
hands should be supporting
your lower back and keeping
your chin to your chest.
Gently arch your back. Hold
for 15 seconds. Repetitions
Forward bend for lower back
and hamstrings. Gentle bend
towards your toes but don’t
touch them. Bend your knees if
you
don’t
want
your
hamstrings stretched. Usually
need to be fit for this one.
Repetitions
Stand with one foot in front of
the other. Bend the front leg
while keeping the back leg
straight – push your back heel
to the floor. Bend your forward
knee
until
a
comfortable
stretch is felt in your back calf.
Hold
for
15
seconds.
Repetitions
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