MANUAL HANDLING TRAINING

Manual Handlingby

Lee KennedyKVF Consultants Ltd.

Introductions

IntroductionHealth & safetyMobile phonesBreaksBehaviourComfort Breaks

2Briefly outline each one.

If you have any questions please let me know

Todays Training ProgrammeCauses of Back PainAnatomy and InjuryLegislation and Risk AssessmentCorrect Body Mechanics and Practical TechniquesVideo / DVDSummary and Test

3Briefly outline each one.

If you have any questions please let me know

What Risks?Spot the hazards!

4First ask for their opinion of what constitutes Manual Handling

5First ask for their opinion of what constitutes Manual Handling

Manual HandlingDefinition:The application of human effort directly, or indirectly, to transport or support a load

6First ask for their opinion of what constitutes Manual Handling

Manual Handling Operations Regulations 1992 amended 2002

Applies to:Lifting, lowering, pulling or pushingInanimate loads box or trolleyAnimate animal or person

Manual Handling HazardsLifting a load that is too heavy or cumbersome-back injuries

Failing to use a proper lifting/moving technique-back injuries (Twisting, Stooping, Reaching)

Failing to grip the load in safe manner-feet injuries

Not wearing correct PPE-hand injuries

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Areas of the Body Injured by Manual Handling

Finger/Thumb 14%Back 49%Rest Of Torso 7%Arm 10%Hand/Wrist 9%Legs 8%Other 3%Source: HSE

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Why Are Back Problems Increasing?Two Key Reasons:1. Our physical condition2. Increased Medical Management

10Fact, people are not as fit as they were. Explore reasons for thise.g. driving use of PCs work is not so manual as it was sitting around a lot use of remote controls

Doctors use to recommend bed rest, consequently muscles and joints seized up even more.

At long last medical views are now changing as a bit of pain is no bad thing, you can go to work.

Back Problems

Back problems are seldom caused by a single injuryThe Final Straw !

11Talk through the fact that it is seldom one injury

Its a combination of bad manual handling habits

5 Generic Reasons for Back PainPoor postureLifting and handling incorrectlyStressLifestyleCan stem from a poor level of physical fitness

12Use a flip chart first (see if they can come up with the reasons)

Talk through each point

Back Problems Peak Between the Ages of Thirty and Fifty

13Graphically emphasises the fact that 40 year olds are the most at risk

Disc is hardening, the back is not as flexibleCumulative strain (will talk about that next)Older people have got use to the problem and therefore compensate when undertaking manual handling

Questions?

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How Does My Back Work? 3 Natural curves 33 Vertebrae forming a flexible column Cervical = 7 Thoracic = 12 Lumbar = 5 Sacrum = 5 Coccyx = 4

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Ligaments Hold the bones together and add stability of the spine.Spinal Cord Passes down through the middle of the spinal canal. It is therefore protected by the vertebrae. Spinal Nerves Branch off at each level of the vertebral column and carry nerve impulses (sensory & motor).Intervertebral Disc Separate the bones and act as a shock absorbers. They allow free movement.

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Bones and Joints

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Spinal Joints & Discs

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Slipped/Prolapsed discA slipped disc/prolapsed disc occurs when the annulus gradually crack open allowing part or all the nucleus to prolapsed or seep out at the back of the disc close to the spinal nerves of the spinal cord are. This puts pressure on the nerves causing severe pain

This is caused by adopting poor posture e.g. Bending, stretching twisting and overreaching

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SciaticaMore commonly known as a trapped nerveSciatic nerve is largest nerve in body consisting of 5 nerve roots.Sciatic Nerve most likely to be trapped as it leaves the vertebrae as it passes to the pelvisCould be any of the 5 vertebrae of the lumber spine

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Sciatica

Caused by a damaged disc pressing on nerve root in lower back Pain in rear or leg, worse when sitting Burning/tingling down the legShooting pain that makes it difficult to stand up Constant pain on one side of the rear

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Other Reasons for Back PainOsteoarthritis

Referred Injury

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Risk Factors for YourselvesIn a rush to do a taskAwkward / critical liftingColdUncontrolled situationsInactivity - sitting

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and YOUR LIFESTYLE

Stressful lifestylePoor physical fitnessBad mattress and pillow

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AvoidDoes the object need to be moved?Can the process be automated?Consider mechanisation / handling aids.ConveyorPallet truckElectric or powered hoistLift truck

AssessDoes the task involve?Holding loads away from the bodyTwisting, stooping or reaching upwardsLong carrying distancesStrenuous pushing or pullingRepetitive handlingInsufficient rest or recovery time

ReduceTo the lowest level reasonably practicableTIME v EFFORT v MONEY in proportion to the benefitsMechanical aids can reduce the riskThey can also improve productivity

Employees DutiesSafe systems of workProper use of equipmentCo-operation with employerInform employer of hazardous activitiesDo not put others at risk

Questions?

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Good Handling Technique for LiftingPlan the liftCan an aid be used?Wheres it goingDo I need help?Will I need to rest?

Good Handling Technique for LiftingThe 1 minute Risk Assessment

Good Handling Technique for Lifting

T - TASKI - INDIVIDUALL - LOADE - ENVIRONMENT

TaskTwisting BendingStoopingReachingCarryingPushingPullingRepetitiveLiftingLoweringProlonged Physical Effort

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Task reducing the injuryCan you?Use a lifting aid?Improve workplace layout?Reduce amount of twisting & stooping?Avoid lifting from floor to above shoulder heightReduce carrying distances?Push rather than Pull

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Individual

Pregnant?Trained?Physical condition?Age?Special Strength Required?Warmed Up?Suitable Clothing?Tall or Short?

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Individual reducing the injuryCan you:

Pay particular attention to those who have a physical weaknessTake extra care of pregnant workersGive your colleagues more info. Eg the range of tasks they are likely to faceProvide more trainingGet advice from Occupational health if needed

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LoadHeavy?Bulky or Unwieldy?Difficult to Grasp?Unstable or Contents Likely to Shift?Sharp Rough Hot Potentially Damaging?

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Load reducing the injuryCan you make the load:

Lighter or less bulkyEasier to graspMore stableLess damaging to holdIf the load comes from elsewhere, have you asked the employer to help handles or smaller packages

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EnvironmentSpace constraints?Uneven/slippery floor?Poor lighting conditions?

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Environment reducing the injuryCan you:Remove obstructions to free movementProvide better flooringAvoid steps & steep rampsPrevent extremes of hot & coldWear less restrictive PPEImprove lightingEnsure PPE is correct for the task

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Engage TILE to Avoid!The Brickies?

Questions?

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Correct Lifting Procedure Challenge!!

A volunteer please to show us how they lift the rest of the group decide and well discuss

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Good Handling Technique for Lifting

Adopt a stable positionFeet apart 10 and 2 positionPositioned either side of the loadMaintain balance

Good Handling Technique for Lifting

At the start of the lift Slightly bend the back, hips and kneesDo not stoop!Grip the load with the hands not with just the fingers!

Good Handling Technique for Lifting

Keep the head up when handlingLook ahead and not down at the loadKeep the load close to the bodyThe heaviest side should be the side nearest the body

Good Handling Technique for Lifting

Avoid twisting the back or leaning sidewaysKeep shoulders level facing in the same direction as the hipsTurn by moving the feet

Good Handling Technique for LiftingMove smoothlyDo not jerk or snatch the loadThis can be harder to control and can increase the risk of injury

Good Lifting TechniquePut Down-Then AdjustThe exact reverse of the lift

One foot forward 10 oclock & 2 oclock

Sink slowly down-place the load

Position the load once on the ground

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Remember Good Handling Technique for LiftingDo not lift or handle more than your limitThere is a difference between what you can lift and what can be safely lifted

Practical Activity

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Questions?

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Lifting Guidelines

TwistingReduce guideline weights if:The handler twists beyond 45 by 10%The handler twists beyond 90 by 20%

Frequent LiftingInfrequent operators = 30 operations per hourOnce or twice per minute reduce by 30%5 to 8 per minute reduce by 50%More than 12 per minute reduce by 80%

If You Hurt Your BackReport the incident to your line manager as soon as possibleSeek medical advice if in acute pain or symptoms last longer than 72 hoursContact the Occupational Health Department for advice

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Questions?

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Test Time!!

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Summary

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Remember!Healthy disc

Severely unhealthy disc

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Lifting Techniques

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Questions?

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