Manual Manual HandlingHandling

Manual HandlingManual Handling

Key PointKey Point Manual handling refers to any activity requiring Manual handling refers to any activity requiring the use of force by a person to lift, lower, push, the use of force by a person to lift, lower, push, pull, hold or restrain something.pull, hold or restrain something.

Putting boxes on shelves, painting, gardening, Putting boxes on shelves, painting, gardening,

cleaning, writing and typing are some examples of cleaning, writing and typing are some examples of manual handling tasks. manual handling tasks.

Manual handling injuries include: Manual handling injuries include: Strains and sprains Strains and sprains Neck and back injuries Neck and back injuries Slips, falls and crush incidents Slips, falls and crush incidents Cuts, bruises and broken bones Cuts, bruises and broken bones Hernia Hernia Occupational overuse syndrome (OOS) Occupational overuse syndrome (OOS)

You should be informed and You should be informed and trained in: trained in:

Safe manual handling methods Safe manual handling methods Specific manual handling hazards Specific manual handling hazards Safe work procedures Safe work procedures Use of any required manual handling aids Use of any required manual handling aids Your right to ask for help Your right to ask for help Most manual handling injuries can be prevented by designing Most manual handling injuries can be prevented by designing

the task to minimise risk. Instruction, training and supervision the task to minimise risk. Instruction, training and supervision are essential to make sure hazards are recognised and safe are essential to make sure hazards are recognised and safe work methods are used. work methods are used.

Even though you may be young and new to the job, you have a Even though you may be young and new to the job, you have a responsibility to speak up. Talk to your supervisor if you feel responsibility to speak up. Talk to your supervisor if you feel your job is too heavy, too difficult, too tiring or puts you at risk your job is too heavy, too difficult, too tiring or puts you at risk of injury. of injury.

Key PointKey Point It is the employer's responsibility to provide you with safe work It is the employer's responsibility to provide you with safe work procedures, and with instruction, training and supervision for procedures, and with instruction, training and supervision for manual handling tasks. manual handling tasks.

Ways to reduce the risk:Ways to reduce the risk: Lighten loads (break loads into smaller Lighten loads (break loads into smaller

quantities) quantities) Reduce bending, twisting, reaching Reduce bending, twisting, reaching

movements movements Use team lifting Use team lifting Use mechanical assistance (eg. trolleys and Use mechanical assistance (eg. trolleys and

adjustable height workbenches and seating) adjustable height workbenches and seating) Prevent muscle strain and fatigue. This Prevent muscle strain and fatigue. This

includes warming up before working, includes warming up before working, taking rest breaks, and allowing time to get taking rest breaks, and allowing time to get used to a new task used to a new task

Slippery floorsSlippery floors Slippery and uneven floors in the workplace are Slippery and uneven floors in the workplace are

hazardous and can result in serious hazardous and can result in serious accidents. For example, kitchen workers have accidents. For example, kitchen workers have been burnt when they have accidentally pulled been burnt when they have accidentally pulled pots of hot liquid onto themselves when a slip pots of hot liquid onto themselves when a slip has caused them to fall. has caused them to fall.

Floors should be cleaned regularly so that oil, Floors should be cleaned regularly so that oil, fat and other spills do not create a slippery fat and other spills do not create a slippery surface. surface.

Employers must make sure that floors are even, Employers must make sure that floors are even, slip-resistant and free from any obstruction slip-resistant and free from any obstruction that could cause an employee to slip, trip or that could cause an employee to slip, trip or fall. fall.

Manual Handling Follow-Manual Handling Follow-upup

Hazard control activity Hazard control activity Task: Task: Work in the classroom individually, under Work in the classroom individually, under

the supervision of your teacher. the supervision of your teacher. Make a list of any manual handling tasks you Make a list of any manual handling tasks you

have performed over the last week, at home, have performed over the last week, at home, school, travelling between the two, in the school, travelling between the two, in the garden, at your part-time job, with your garden, at your part-time job, with your friends over the weekend. friends over the weekend.

Working across the page, complete the Working across the page, complete the Decision-making grid (A copy will be Decision-making grid (A copy will be provided to you)provided to you) by noting your personal by noting your personal manual handling activities, the hazards manual handling activities, the hazards involved, and any suggestions for safer involved, and any suggestions for safer practice you can think of. practice you can think of.