28/04/2020 Understanding Manual Handling By Jerry Hill 1

Course content  Introduction  Accidents and injuries  The basics of law  Risk Assessment  Lifting techniques 28/04/2020 2

Introduction  Manual handling is defined as the transporting or supporting of a load by hands or bodily force. This includes:  Lifting  Carrying  Putting down  Pushing  Pulling  Moving  Supporting 28/04/2020 3

The importance of correct manual handling  60% suffer back pain annually  30% become chronic sufferers  60 million working days lost in 1999  Financial costs estimated at £3.25 billion  230,000 off work EVERY day  Source HSE Guidance and DSS 28/04/2020 4

Reportable accidents causing injury  Handling goods & materials  Slips, trips and falls  Struck by objects  Falls from height  Machinery  Miscellaneous 36.9% 20.2% 15.9% 6.5% 4.4% 16.1%  Source HSE March 2000 28/04/2020 5

Sites of injuries caused by manual handling  Back  Finger/Thumb  Arms  Lower limbs 45% 16% 13% 9%  Rest of torso  Hands  Other 8% 6% 3% 28/04/2020 6

Relevant legislation  Health and safety at work act 1974  Management of health and safety at work regulations 1999  Manual handling operations regulations 1992 28/04/2020 7

Manual Handling Operations Regulations 1992 

Employers responsibilities

 Avoid handling where possible  Conduct assessment  Take steps to reduce risks  Provide load information 

Employees responsibilities

 Make proper use of equipment & follow safe working systems  Co-operate with their employer  Ensure others are not put at risk 28/04/2020 8

Risk assessments in practice  Look for hazards  Decide who might be harmed and how  Evaluate risks/Control measures  Record the findings of assessment  Review / revise assessment 28/04/2020 9

 T  I  L  E Manual Handling risk assessments Task Individual’s capabilities Load Environment 28/04/2020 10

28/04/2020 Kinetic lifting techniques  Look at the load  Foot position  Bend knees/back straight  Test load/take firm grip  Lift with legs/load close  Put down with care 11

Main points to consider during team lifting  All participants should be of similar height, build and gender  One person should take control of the lift, command attention, inform others and co ordinate the lift  Double the people

DOES NOT MEAN

double the capacity 28/04/2020 12

If one person can lift 50 kilograms How much can two people lift?

Only 70 % or 70 kilograms How much can three people lift?

Only 50 % or 75 kilograms 28/04/2020 13

…and finally  This course has merely provided you with information on manual handling and how to conduct a manual handling risk assessment. You will only protect your back and yourself if you practice the techniques learnt today. Manual handling affects your whole life… 28/04/2020 14