Manual Handling

Based on SECL HSE Procedure : Manual Handling (SEM–1840).

SECL HSE Overseas Support Team

Manual Handling
Back Injuries

Back Injuries are the 2nd most common

workplace problem

More than a quarter of the accidents reported

each year to enforcing authorities are associated
with manual handling – fatal manual handling
accidents are rare, but accidents resulting in a
major injury, are common and most result in an
LTA (lost time accident).

However, Most back injuries can be prevented

Manual Handling
Introduction

MANUAL HANDLING

“MANUAL HANDLING” means any activity requiring the use of

force exerted by a person to lift, lower, push, pull, carry or
otherwise move, hold or restrain a person, animal or thing

Note

Manual handling also includes any activity involving repetitive

and/or forceful movements (e.g. keying data into a computer;
using a screwdriver) and any activity where the person must
maintain constrained or awkward postures (e.g. driving a
truck; leaning over to make beds).
Manual Handling
EXAMPLES OF MANUAL HANDLING
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Manual Handling

STEP 1 HAZARD IDENTIFICATION

•Identify all hazards associated with manual handling.

STEP 2 RISK ASSESSMENT

•Assess the risk arising from the hazards

STEP 3 RISK CONTROL

•Decide on and use appropriate control measures
Manual Handling
Manual Handling

z
z HOW
HOW DOES
DOES MANUAL
MANUAL HANDLING
HANDLING RESULT
RESULT IN
IN INJURY?
INJURY?

Injuries most commonly linked with manual handling include

sprains and strains, damage to the back and hernias

However, in general, the injuries are caused by wear and tear

and damage to the joints, ligaments, muscles and inter
vertebral discs which occur during manual handling
activities
Manual Handling
Manual Handling

z
z Manual
Manual handling
handling injuries
injuries may
may result
result from
from

Gradual wear and tear caused by frequent or prolonged periods of manual

handling activity (e.g. a store person continually handling stock between
deliveries);

Sudden damage caused by intense or strenuous manual handling or awkward

lifts (e.g. A labor lifting a compactor or a glazier lifting a pane of large glass
from the ground on to a truck); or direct trauma caused by unexpected events
(e.g. a store person walking on uneven ground carrying a large heavy carton,
trips and falls).

Direct trauma caused by unexpected events

(e.g. a store person walking on uneven ground carrying a large heavy carton,
trips and falls).
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Manual Handling

ƒExperience has shown

most manual handling
injuries are associated with
day to day tasks.

ƒThe person may not feel

pain until several hours
after the injury occurs.
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RISK FACTORS IN MANUAL HANDLING

z
zAA number
number of
of factors
factors can
can increase
increase the
the risk
risk of
of injury,
injury, including
including

Size, shape and weight of objects (if carried or held) and forces required
(if pushed, pulled or restrained);

Sudden unexpected or jarring movements;

Awkward movements, such as twisting, bending, over-reaching, especially if

combined with load handling;

Static postures, like holding the body or part of the body in a fixed position for
a long time;

Personal factors, such as age, physical dimensions and any disabilities the
person may have.
Manual Handling
RISK FACTORS IN MANUAL HANDLING

z
z These
These risk
risk factors
factors are
are influenced
influenced by:
by:

How long and how often the tasks are performed

(e.g. repetitive movement, fatigue.)

The way work is organized, such as one employee performing all manual
handling tasks instead of tasks being shared by several employees

Design and layout of work environment; and the degree of familiarity with the
task and associated training.
Manual Handling
Back Injuries

ƒLifting objects is a major

cause of back injuries in the
work place
Manual Handling
Aware of Your Body

Spine Three main functions

•To protect the spinal cord
•To allow movement
•To support upper body

Complex System
•Spinal Cord
•Nerves
•Ligaments
•Muscles & Tendons
Manual Handling
Anatomy

Spine – Strong and Flexible

•Gentle “S” bend
•Move or lift in wrong way
balance can be disturbed

Problems- Contributory Factors

•Poor physical condition
•Posture
•Lack of exercise
•Excess weight
•Illness
Manual Handling
Vertebrae

•33 bones – the top 24 are

separated by discs

•Each vertebrae has 4 joints

which enables movement

•Vertebrae are larger

towards the bottom of the
spine
Manual Handling
Your Back

•The muscles of the low back

provide power and strength for
activities such as standing, walking
and lifting. A strain of the muscle
can occur when the muscle is poorly
conditioned or overworked. The
ligaments of the low back act to
interconnect the five lumbar
vertebral bones and provide support
or stability for the low back. A
sprain of the low back can occur
when a sudden, forceful movement
injures a ligament which has
become stiff or weak through poor
conditioning or overuse
Manual Handling
Slipped Disc

•Repeated Stress can cause

minute tears and bulging of
the disk.

•Presses on adjacent nerves

and ligaments – pins &
needles, pain, numbness.

•Commonly called a slipped

disc
Manual Handling
Manual Handling

•Lifting of heavy weights

manually will cause torn
muscle, dislocation spinal
cord and back ache
Manual Handling
Safe Manual Lifting Range
Manual Handling
Safe Manual Lifting Range

z
z Oh,
Oh, my
my back…
back… z
z Much
Much easier!
easier!
Manual Handling
Manual Handling

z
z SAFE
SAFE WORK
WORK PROCEDURES
PROCEDURES

When handling lumber, pipe or other long objects, keep hands away from the
ends to prevent them from being pinched

Wipe off greasy, wet, slippery, or dirty objects before trying to handle them

Keep hands free of oil & grease Inspect materials for slivers, jagged edges,
burrs, rough or slippery surfaces

Get a firm grip on the object

Keep fingers away from pinch points, especially when putting materials down
Manual Handling
Manual Handling

•Never Bend, Lift, and Twist

at the same time!
•Bend your knees and use
your legs to lift! OR
•Use mechanical aids or
assistance when possible.
Manual Handling
Manual Handling

Plan the Lift.

•Before attempting to lift or move
something heavy, it is important to
step back and analyze what needs
to be accomplished.
Think about :
•how heavy the object is, how far it
has to be moved,
•where it is going to end up?
•What is the shape of the object? Is
it cumbersome, Will it be easily
manipulated?
•Is it a two-person job? Is there
anything in the way that needs to be
moved prior to lifting? Stand
directly in front of the load, with
feet about shoulder width part.
Manual Handling
Manual Handling

•Keep the load close to the waist. Keep

the load close to the body for as long
as possible while lifting. Keep the
heaviest side of the load next to the
body. If a close approach to the load is
not possible, try to slide it towards the
body before attempting to lift it.
•Adopt a stable position. The feet
should be apart with one leg slightly
forward to maintain balance (alongside
the load, if it is on the ground). The
worker should be prepared to move
their feet during the lift to maintain
their stability. Avoid tight clothing or
unsuitable footwear, which may make
this difficult.
•Get a good hold. Where possible the
load should be hugged as close as
possible to the body. This may be
better than gripping it tightly with
hands only.
•Start in a good posture. At the start of
the lift, slight bending of the back,
hips and knees is preferable to fully
flexing the back (stooping) or fully
flexing the hips and knees (squatting).
Manual Handling
Manual Handling

Don’t flex the back any further while lifting. This can happen if the legs
begin to straighten before starting to raise the load

Avoid twisting the back or leaning sideways, especially while the back
is bent. Shoulders should be kept level and facing in the same
direction as the hips. Turning by moving the feet is better than twisting
and lifting at the same time

Keep the head up when handling. Look ahead, not down at the
load, once it has been held securely

Move smoothly. The load should not be jerked or snatched as this can
make it harder to keep control and can increase the risk of injury.

Don’t lift or handle more than can be easily managed.

There is a difference between what people can lift and what they can
safely lift. If in doubt, seek advice or get help

Put down, then adjust. If precise positioning of the load is necessary,

put it down first, then slide it into the desired position
Manual Handling
Manual Handling
Manual Handling
Manual Handling

Approach the load close to your body. Lever effect is reduced if load held
closer to the body
Manual Handling
Manual Handling

If you must lift or lower

from a high place:

•Stand on a platform instead

of a ladder Lift the load in
smaller pieces if possible
Manual Handling
Manual Handling

•Push the load to see how

heavy and stable it is.
•Slide the load as close to
yourself as possible before
lifting up or down.
•Get help when needed to
avoid an injury.
Manual Handling
Manual Handling

•Break load into parts

•Get help with heavy or
bulky items
•Lift with legs, keep back
straight, do not twist
•Use handling aids - such
as steps, trestles, shoulder
pads, handles, and wheels
•Avoid lifting above
shoulder level
Manual Handling
Any Questions?