manual handling

Manual Handling

Soft Skills Programme

Nexus Alliance Ltd

Session Elements

1. Definition

2. Injuries and Statistics

3. Anatomy of the Spine

4. Risk Assessment

5. Safe Handling Techniques

2. Mechanical Aids

Definition

Any activity requiring the use of force exerted by a person, including,

What is Manual Handling?

Definition

Or move or restrain any animal person or thing

What is Manual Handling?

Injuries and Statistics

External Cuts Bruises Crush injuries Lacerations

Internal Muscle and ligament

strain Hernia Prolapsed disc

Types of injuries


Acute Injuries that occur

immediately fractures, sprains,

strains, slipped discs, cuts, abrasions etc

Chronic Injuries that

take time to manifest themselves

Sciatica, Loss of mobility, repetitive strain injuries etc

Types of injuries


UK Statistics over 3 day injuries

Other12.6%

Trip19.1%

Struck20.4%

Fall6.9%

Machinery4.5%

Handling36.5%


UK Statistics site of injuries

Back49.3%

Finger/Thumb14.3%

Arm 10.3%

Lower Limb7.7%

Rest of Torso6.6%

Hand8.5%

Others3.3%


UK Statistics type of injuries

73.1% Sprain/Strain

Superficial5.3%

3.1% Other

3.3% Fractures

6.4% Contusion

8.8% Laceration

Anatomy of the Spine

The spine is not straight Trunk and head upright Arms by side of body Hands in handshake position Shoulder in neutral position Body in a relaxed balanced

condition

The neutral position


Cervical region – 7 vertebrae

Thoracic region – 12 vertebrae

Lumber region – 5 vertebrae

Sacrum and coccyx

Cervical lordosis

Lumber lordosis

Thoracic kyphosis


Consists of 33 Bones/vertebrae Spinal cord Discs Nerves Ligaments

The neutral position

Risk Assessment

Hazard Something with the potential to cause harm Can be physical, chemical, biological, ergonomic or

psychological

Risk The likelihood that harm will occur and the severity of

the harm

Hazard and Risk

Risk Assessment

Task Individual Load Environment

Will cover following headings

Risk Assessment

Hierarchy of Control

1. Elimination

2. Substitution

3. Engineering Controls

4. Segregation

5. Reduction in PersonnelTime / Exposure

6. Personal Protective Equipment

Inhe

rent

Saf

ety

Dec

reas

es

1. Elimination

2. Substitution


4. Segregation



1. Elimination

2. Substitution


4. Segregation



Inhe

rent

Saf

ety

Dec

reas

es

Risk Assessment

Group exercise

Safe Handling Techniques

Hazard Something with the potential to cause harm Can be physical, chemical, biological, ergonomic or

psychological

Risk The likelihood that harm will occur and the severity of

the harm

Hazard and Risk


Group exercise


Effects of loads on the body


Size Weight Position Shape Hand holds PPE.

Assess the load

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Un-obstructed Doors Floor condition Change in levels Distance.

Assess the Route


Feet apart for balanced stable lift

Leading leg in front as far as is comfortable

Feet in the direction of travel

Correct stance


Keep your head up Chin in Natural curve back Should feel normal

and comfortable

Head up


Relaxed muscles are less prone to injury

Bend the knees so that the hands when grasping the load are as nearly level with the waist as possible

Do not over-flex the knees Keep the shoulders level and

facing the same direction as the hips

Head up


Relaxed muscles are less prone to injury

Bend the knees so that the hands when grasping the load are as nearly level with the waist as possible

Do not over-flex the knees Keep the shoulders level and

facing the same direction as the hips

Bend knees


Select hand hold Use whole hand not fingers Palms up Elbows in Arms within boundary of legs

Firm hold


Heavy side of load close to body

Reduce stress on the back Reposition load if required to

achieve this.

Load close to body


Head up Chin in Elbows in Firm grip Breath in Straight back Lift with leg muscles.

The lift


Reverse of the lifting operation.

Body begins to lower in a base fashion

Finally head is allowed to drop If precise positioning of the

load is necessary, put it down first, then slide it into the desired position.

Putting load down


Group exercise


One person to plan & control throughout operation

Compatible individual team member sizes

PPE Team member positions and

hand holds Establish words of command

(on 3 or after 3) Co-ordinated of movements Awareness of team members

(walking backwards, stairs).

Team lifting


Group exercise

Mechanical Aids

Hierarchy of control Risk Matrix Can we use mechanised aids

to achieve ALARP

Considerations

1. Elimination

2. Substitution


4. Segregation



Inhe

rent

Saf

ety

Dec

reas

es

1. Elimination

2. Substitution


4. Segregation



1. Elimination

2. Substitution


4. Segregation



Inhe

rent

Saf

ety

Dec

reas

es

Severity of HarmSlight (1)

Serious (2)

Major (3)

Low (1) 1 2 3

Medium (2)

2 4 6

High (3) 3 6 9Prob

abilit

y of

Har

m

Mechanical Aids

Types

Manual Handling

Any Questions?

manual handling

Documents

day injuries injuries

risk assessment5

manual handling activity

safe handling techniques2

neutral position anatomy

loss of balance

spine cervical region

vertebraelumber region