Transcript Document

SEPT - MANDATORY TRAINING
Ergonomics and Load Handling
Also known as ‘Human Factors’, ergonomics is the science of the ‘fit’ between people and their work and is
central to health and safety in the workplace and wider environment.
An example of a good fit between the worker and the environment is the driver of a modern heavy goods
vehicle equipped with a fully adjustable seat, steering column and environmental controls etc. The driver is
able to fit the working environment to their needs rather than the other way round.
The physical workspace, the individual worker and the organisation of the work all affect the way in which work
is performed and how comfortable and safe we are.
One important aspect of ergonomics concerns the manual handling which is the ‘transporting or supporting of
a load (including the lifting, putting down, pushing, pulling, carrying or moving thereof) by hand or by bodily
force'.
SEPT - MANDATORY TRAINING
Incidence of Manual Handling Injuries across the UK Workforce
Manual handling injuries account for approximately 40% of all general workplace reported injuries.
However, these only represent the tip of a very large pyramid. For each injury reported it is estimated that
there are 10 additional injuries that are not reported and approximately 200 near misses.
SEPT - MANDATORY TRAINING
What does the law say we must do about the risk of harm associated
with manual handling?
This is covered by the Health and Safety at Work Act 1974 which aims to make the workplace as safe as
reasonably possible for staff and anyone affected by their work and puts requirements on employers and
employees.
Central to this course is the Manual Handling Operations Regulation 1992 with other regulations also relevant.
SEPT - MANDATORY TRAINING
Manual Handling Operations Regulation 1992
Where there is a risk of injury in manual handling the regulation requires:
•
Avoid the need for manual handling if possible for example by rearranging the task or using equipment?
•
Assess all the manual handling tasks that cannot be avoided.
•
Reduce the risk of injury to the lowest level reasonably practicable.
•
Record the findings and review the risk assessment and the safe system of work. This is done if
anything changes to affect the level of risk and also at regular and scheduled intervals.
This can be summarised as follows:
SEPT - MANDATORY TRAINING
Law - Manual Handling Operations Regulation 1992
What are our responsibilities as members of staff?
We need to follow the safe system of work as laid down in the moving and handling plan. If any changes occur
that make the moving and handling plan no longer current this must be reported immediately to the responsible
person. We must therefore consider reassessing each time we undertake the task.
SEPT - MANDATORY TRAINING
Risk Assessment – the difference between a hazard and a risk
Central to understanding the risk assessment process is the difference between a hazard and a risk. In
everyday language these terms are used to express the same thing. For example, 'that was hazardous' and
'that was risky'.
In risk assessments however they have distinct and different meanings.
A hazard is anything that has the potential to cause harm. Trailing leads, confined spaces, water on the floor
are all examples of a hazard.
A risk is the chance or probability of harm occurring from a hazard and takes into account the likely
seriousness of the injury or incident should it occur. For example an identical trip hazard such as a box is a
higher risk on stairs than it is in the corner of a seldom used store room.
SEPT - MANDATORY TRAINING
The Risk Assessment Process in Manual Handling - TILEE
We often undertake risk assessments in everyday life, for example driving a car and crossing a road. These
assessments are of course informal, not structured and certainly not written down!
When completing a manual handling risk assessment it is useful to have a structured approach so that hazards
are easier to see and risks are easier to control. In manual handling the risk assessment must consider the
hazards and risks in the following areas:
SEPT - MANDATORY TRAINING
Risk Assessment – The Task
•
•
•
•
•
•
Things (risk factors) to consider about the Task
How is the task currently performed?
How long does the task take?
Is our posture compromised
When and how often is it done?
Is there sufficient rest between this task and the next?
SEPT - MANDATORY TRAINING
Risk Assessment – The Individual (you and me)
•
Just because most people can undertake a task safely does not mean that everyone can do so. You must
consider whether it is safe for you to do the task.
•
Things to consider about yourself
•
Are you fit enough to do the task or do you have an injury or a medical condition that might put you at extra
risk of injury or prevent you from applying best practice techniques?
Are you pregnant and does the pregnancy mean that this particular manual handling task is an excessive?
Are you trained and even with training are you confident that you have the knowledge to undertake this
particular task?
Have you read the moving and handling plan or are you undertaking the task with someone who is familiar
with it?
Are you familiar with any equipment used in the workplace?
If in doubt always seek advice.
•
•
•
•
•
SEPT - MANDATORY TRAINING
Risk Assessment – The Load
The load is central to the task and therefore most people focus on this rather than the other factors in the risk
assessment.
We would assess the following factors about the load:
•
•
•
•
•
•
Its weight
Its size and shape (how easy is it to handle?). For example a single mattress may not be particularly
especially for two people but turning it is not easy because of its size and shape.
Does it have suitable handles?
Is it evenly balanced
Is there anything inside the load that could move and shift the centre of balance?
Are there any sharp edges and should we wear suitable gloves and clothing (at work this would be
Personal Protective Equipment or PPE)
SEPT - MANDATORY TRAINING
Risk Assessment – The Environment
•
•
•
•
•
Is there enough space for the task? This includes you, your colleagues if required by the assessment and
any equipment used
Are there problems in the design of the environment? Are the doorways and corridors too narrow or is the
shape of the environment awkward?
Is there anything on the floor that you might slip or trip on?
Is it too hot or too cold which might impair your grip or cause fatigue?
Is your environment very busy, noisy or distracting?
Risk Assessment – The Equipment
Does the Task require specific equipment, for example a trolley or sack barrow?
Is it available when needed?
Is the equipment safe and is it serviced if appropriate and maintained and does it have all attachments?
Is everyone trained and competent in using the equipment?
Is it compatible with the environment?
SEPT - MANDATORY TRAINING
In Regard to Work Equipment Used
it must be suitable for the intended purpose
it must be safe for use and maintained in a safe condition
it must be used by people who have received adequate training and instruction to use it safely
it must be fitted with adequate guards and warning signs where appropriate.
And we must use it for the intended purpose, sensibly and safely and in accordance to any training received
A simple guide to PUWER 1998 can be found on the Health and Safety Executive website
SEPT - MANDATORY TRAINING
Moving and Handling Forms
Are found in the Trust Library:
Policies and Procedures/Risk Management
Appendix 2 is a guide to completing the risk assessment and handling plan for LOADS (and CLIENTS)
Appendix 3 is the LOAD handling risk assessment
SEPT - MANDATORY TRAINING
Anatomy
The human spine consists of 32 individual bones (vertebrae) that are stacked
one on top of another to form a flexible column. Viewed from the side the
spine has a series of curves which act like a spring to protect our heads from
the forces generated by walking and jumping.
What are the different structures that form the spine?
(Intervertebral) disc - Are flat, round discs that act as shock absorbers and
physical spacers to separate the vertebrae to allow room for the spinal nerves
to exit the spine. The discs also allow the spine to be flexible.
The facet joints are paired joints at the back of the spine which direct and
limit the range of movement between vertebrae.
The Vertebrae (individual spinal bones) gives the spine shape and structure,
transmits weight and forces as acts as attachment points for the discs,
muscles and ligaments
SEPT - MANDATORY TRAINING
Anatomy
Ligaments - are tough bands of tissue that surround the facet joints and also pass between the bodies of the
vertebrae. Ligaments help limit movement and they hold everything together
Spinal Muscles - like all muscles these provide the power to move bones, in this case the vertebrae. These
muscles are small, delicate and weak (when compared with the large leg muscles) and form a network that
runs the length of the spine. For example, any individual muscle may span one, two, three or more vertebrae
which allows very fine control over the spine.
These muscles are small and not designed for powerful work, such as bending the back to lift loads.
Our leg muscles are much more powerful and better suited for the power of lifting.
Tendons - are non contractile bands that join the muscles to the bone. These are needed because they take
up less space on the bone. The best place to see tendons is the wrist where they pass from the forearm
muscles to the fingers.
The spine is a very strong and flexible structure but only when used correctly but prone to injury if misused.
SEPT - MANDATORY TRAINING
Advice on moving and handling more safely
When moving or handling any load, object or person
1.
Avoid the need to do the task if it is practicable to do so.
2.
Think. If it is not practicable to avoid then where necessary plan the task before doing it for real
3.
Spine-in-line. Once you are ready to begin manual handling you should keep your back as straight as
possible. This is called 'spine-in-line. It simply means avoid twisting your back or bending forwards,
backwards or to the side.
4.
Stable and mobile base. The feet should be placed shoulder width apart with one foot in front of the other
and the knees and hips slightly bent. By using the hips and knees the need to bend the spine is reduced.
5.
Load close. The load should be kept as close to the body as possible to reduce the loading on the spine.
SEPT - MANDATORY TRAINING
Advice on moving and handling more safely
In addition to the Key Safer Principles you should always try to:
•
Move smoothly rather than jerk
•
Report any concerns that you may have, for example if something within the environment prevents you
from adopting these principles when moving and handling.
Finally, consider how a small child would pick up a toy from the floor.
Small children lift with a nice straight back and using the hips and knees to bend and for power because of
their lack of balance and back muscle strength but this is the way that we are 'designed' to lift.
The way that most adults move, lift and handle loads and objects is essentially a learned bad habit.