Principles and techniques of safe manual handling incorrect lifting and carrying of loads is a major cause of occupational injury in the workplace. This unit is based on the national guidelines for integrating occupational health and safety competencies into national industry competency standards, national code of practice for manual handling 1990, an employers guide to the manual tasks advisory standard 2000, national standard for manual handling 1990, the work health and safety act 2011, safe work australia publications. However, properly lifting a heavy object can save you from straining muscles or throwing your back out of alignment. Failure to ensure the health and safety of employees when working with large or heavy loads can lead to serious injury and may come at a great cost to your business. If you need to carry a load down steps, make sure you can see where you are placing your feet. Moving and handling techniques imperial college london. Always follow safe manual handling practices and techniques and use. This page presents information about manual handling techniques. This code of practice on manual tasks involving the handling of people is an approved code of.
Where this identifies hazardous manual handling of loads, you. Manual handling at work health and safety executive. Manual handling techniques for safe lifting practices. Jan 30, 2015 safe manual handling in the workplace 1. Part one of a presentation safe work australias ceo michelle baxter gave at the. Manual handling also includes the intentional dropping of a load and the throwing of a load, whether into a container or from one person to another. Ten basic manual handling tips february, 14 page 2 of 2 4.
Manual handling specific to funeral industry death care. Manual handling tips and techniques safe lifting practices. Vennsys has had 9 recorded manual handling events that have resulted in individuals being hurt on the contract since april 2011. Manual handling operations are covered by the manual handling operations regulations mhor 1992. Good posture and lifting techniques can help reduce the risks, but research indicates that making changes to workplace design is the most effective way to prevent manual handling injury. Hlthse204d follow safe manual handling practices modification history hlt07 version 4 hlt07 version 5 comments hlthse204c follow safe manual handling practices hlthse204d follow safe manual handling practices isc upgrade changes to remove references to old ohs legislation and replace with references to new whs legislation. Pdf proper manual handling techniques to prevent low back. Manual handling regulations have been wellestablished for many years, yet many workplaces are still failing to effectively implement the correct manual handling techniques. A brief guide to manual a summary of the risk assessment steps.
Safe handling manual methacrylate esters this manual is a publication of the methacrylate producers association, inc. Design safe jobs and work practices by considering the following. Convert to pushing or pulling by use of transfer systems like wheelchairs, trolleys. This short guide provides the best manual handling techniques to follow in the workplace so. Have workers been trained in the correct techniques. For a long lift, consider resting the load midway on a table or bench to change grip. Hazards and risks associated with manual handling in the workplace. Introduction manual handling involves any activity that requires the use of force exerted by a person to lift, lower, push, pull, carry or otherwise move or hold an object. Following are the basic steps of safe lifting and handling. A pdf version of this publication is available on the website of the irsst. Lack of awareness and laziness are common factors in poor technique which can lead to both acute and chronic injury to. The load may be moved or supported by the hands or any other part of the body, for example the shoulder.
Working procedure cofa manual handling safe issue date. Manual handling is the transporting or supporting of a load including lifting, putting down, pushing, pulling, carrying or moving objects by hand or by bodily force. Get professional design advice when planning improvements or conversion. This is a oneday course designed to equip learners with the knowledge, skills and competences to apply correct manual handling techniques in their workplace. This guide has been put together as an introduction to the management of manual handling in the construction sector. Preventing injuries from manual tasks in the workplace a risk management approach. Pdf proper manual handling techniques to prevent low. Proper methods of lifting and handling protect against injury. The expectation of the national commission is that guidance notes will provide detailed information for use by unions, employers, management, health and safety committee. Mpa and the methacrylates sector group of the european chemical industry council cefic and represents industry best practice.
Figure 1 assumes that a simple straight lift of a load of 25 kg, for a short duration, from the floor to waist height. Manual handling risks can be found across all kinds of workplaces on farms and building sites, in factories, offices, warehouses. This short guide provides the best manual handling techniques to follow in the workplace so that you can reduce the likelihood of injury occurring. Even if workers attempt to apply lifting techniques, they may still be exposed to a serious injury risk. If, following this initial risk assessment, manual handling can be avoided, the manual handling assessment should be terminated and where necessary, movement of the load included in the tasks general risk assessment jsp 375, part 2, volume 1, chapter 08. Though training remains the key element, working conditions that can foster manual handling risks are also considered. This procedure should be read with the work health and safety policy. Lifting, pushing and pulling manual handling lifting, pushing and pulling manual handling overview. Preventing manual handling injuries fact sheet worksafe. These job tasks are often referred to as manual materials handling.
Preventing injuries from manual tasks in the workplace. Good handling technique for lifting united kingdom health and safety executive can handling aids be used. Manual handling, or to be accurate, incorrect manual handling, is one of the most common causes of injury at work. Manual handlingtasks are regarded as hazardous where the task requires. Manual handling is described as any activity, which requires a person to exert force in order to lift lower push pull carry move hold, or restrain manual handling injuries using unsafe manual handling techniques e. Think before liftinghandling remove obstructions such as discarded wrapping materials. The national occupational health and safety commission has adopted a guidance note for manual handling in the retail industry. This code establishes stfc requirements to ensure that manual handling operations are carried out in a safe manner on stfc sites and by stfc staff. Are you making best use of lifting and handling aids. Employees responsibilities in manual handling as an employee you have a legal responsibility to ensure the safety of yourself and others in the workplace. In 20102011 more than eleven thousand people died in workplace injuries. Planning tool for safe manual handling 3fi introduction. However, evidence suggests there is no safe way to lift. Manual handling includes both transporting a load and supporting a load in a static posture.
Dec 20, 20 manual handling accidents, as a result of pushing, pulling or lifting heavy objects or machinery, account for more than a third of all reported accidents each year. Staff who lift or perform other materials handling tasks may be at risk for back or other injuries. The health and safety duties require duty holders to consider all risks. Apr 01, 2015 part of the project related to training elearning course. The process of managing manual handling at a ward, unit or service level is described. Lifting, pushing and pulling manual handling safe work australia.
Reaching upwards or handling loads above shoulder height bending back or neck forwards and handling. The following diagrams are intended to offer some guidance regarding individual capability. The main reason lifting technique training is not effective is because the risk factors causing the problem are not changed. The management of health and safety at work regulations2 require you to assess the risks to the health and safety of your workers. Over time, safe lifting technique should become a habit. Apply first aid use safe manual handling techniques. There are health and safety benefits for employers if they control manual handling risks by the use of lifting and handling aids such as.
A sample clip from a 20 minute safety training video on how to avoid injuries while moving materials. Sample manual handling procedure overview this procedure is a guide for staff in safe manual handling practices. This guide focuses on a wide range of manual handling issues encountered in nursing and is not con. Part of the project related to training elearning course. All staff are responsible for following steps detailed in this procedure for any manual handling activity as defined below.
Manual handling accidents, as a result of pushing, pulling or lifting heavy objects or machinery, account for more than a third of all reported accidents each year. Cost of manual task injuries 1 in every 3 lost time injuries is a result of performing manual tasks. Manual handling training acorn health and safety training. The agency provides detailed information on correct handling techniques. Safe manual material handling many jobs require frequent lifting, carrying, pushing, pulling, lowering and raising materials by hand. Organising manual handling tasks in a safe way, with loads split into smaller ones, and. If the risks associated with hazardous manual tasks are not eliminated or minimised they can cause significant and even irreversible injuries or disorders. If you sustain a manual handling injury it could lead to you being off work for a long period of time. Safe manual handling safety poster, bulk discounts available and free delivery on all orders over. Appendix 1 good handling techniques for lifting think before liftinghandling.
Aim to provide the knowledge and skills for safe manual handling. Use safe manual handling techniques do not move the casualty unless it is absolutely necessary manual handling is an activity which requires the use of force exerted by a person to lift, lower, pull, push, move, carry, restrain or hold any object, person or even animal. Usda safe handling instructions graphic designed by. You need to think about what you are going to do before bending to pick up an object. Safety alert manual handling injuries 1 background there have been 25 reports received in the first half of 2015 that related to manual handling risk. Lifting, pushing and pulling manual handling safe work. You need to select the most effective controls that are proportionate to the risk, and appropriate to your work situation. It also covers manual handling injuries, steps to take when preparing for a manual handling job, and safe manual handling methods.
To try and combat manual handling problems, the manual handling operations regulations were introduced. The principal method of reducing risk is by avoiding hazardous manual handling operations. A new approach to training in manual handling was used in developing this tool. Ergonomic guidelines for manual material handling was prepared for publication by the calosha consultation service, research and education unit, division of occupational safety and health, california department of industrial relations. To try and combat manual handling problems, the manual handling operations. It includes a case study of a builders labourer who injured his back due to incorrect manual handling. Manual handling is the transporting or supporting of a load that involves lifting, putting down, pushing pulling, carrying or moving. For a long lift, consider resting the load midway on a table or. Workers must be trained in correct techniques for manual handling jobs. Train workers on safe handling methods eg work is done between shoulder and midthigh height and with the elbows close to the body and how to safely use any mechanical aids and equipment. Hi, im trying to convert a pdf doc to word to help out a friend who cant open a pdf file. Usda safe handling instructions graphic free bonus. Have workers been trained in the safe handling of the.
The regulations lay out duties for both employees and employers. Watch where you are going when carrying a load walk forward. These can be caused by using poor techniques to move materials such as twisting and turning while lifting, carrying or digging. Many people hurt their back, arms, hands or feet lifting everyday loads, not just lifting heavy objects. According to the australian bureau of statistics in 2012, more than 50 out of every 1,000 workers sustained some type of injury in the workplace, between 2009 and 2010. The following are some lifting techniques which can assist you in continue reading manual handling safety tips.
Sources of information managing manual handling checklist pcc document 2015 l23 guidance on manual handling operations regulations, 1992, hse wlga 2011 passport for object handling, free to download for templates of risk assessment, safe systems of work and training standards hse website case studies, free downloadable guidance on msds. Safety techniques everyone has had to lift something heavy in their lives, and some people have experienced back pain from improper lifting. Not all manual handling tasks are hazardous, but because most jobs involve some form of manual handling, most workers are at some risk of manual handling injury. Can anyone recommend a safe free pdf to word converter. Can the task be carried out in a safe working environment floor, lighting, too hotcold. Manual handling lifting and carrying whats the problem.