Manual Handling

Overview

Manual handling is defined as 'any transporting or supporting of a load (including the lifting, putting down, pushing, pulling, carrying or moving thereof) by hand or by bodily force'.

In effect, any activity that requires an individual to lift, move or support a load will be classified as a manual handling task.

Why is dealing with manual handling important?

Manual handling injuries can occur almost anywhere in the workplace and heavy manual labour, awkward postures, repetitive movements of arms, legs and back or previous/existing injury can increase the risk.

What do I have to do?

Where it is not possible to avoid handling a load, sensible health and safety measures must be put in place to prevent and avoid injury.

If you need to lift something manually

• Limit the amount of twisting, stooping and reaching.
• Avoid lifting from floor level or above shoulder height, especially heavy loads.
• Consider how you can minimise carrying distances.
• Assess the weight to be carried and whether the individual can move the load safely or requires any help

If you need to use lifting equipment

• Consider whether you can use a lifting aid, such as a trolley, forklift truck, electric or hand-powered pallet truck

Good handling technique for lifting

There are some simple things to do before and during the lift/carry:

1. Remove obstructions from the route.

2. For a long lift, plan to rest the load midway on a table or bench to change grip.

3. Keep the load close to the waist. The load should be kept close to the body for as long as possible while lifting.

4. Keep the heaviest side of the load next to the body.

5. Adopt a stable position and make sure your feet are apart, with one leg slightly forward to maintain balance

The Six Steps to Safe Lifting

1: Stop and Think before lifting/handling.

Plan the lift. Can handling aids be used? Where is the load going to be placed? Will help be needed with the load? Remove obstructions such as discarded wrapping materials. For a long lift, consider resting the load midway on a table or bench to change grip.

2: Position feet

The feet should be apart with one leg slightly forward to maintain balance (alongside the load, if it is on the ground). Be prepared to move your feet during the lift to maintain your stability.

3: 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).

4: Get a firm grip

Where possible, the load should be held as close as possible to the body. This may be better than gripping it tightly with hands only.

5: Raise the load smoothly

Straighten your knees to stand up using your leg muscles to lift keeping the load close to your body.

6: Carry the load close to your body

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

2. 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.

3. Avoid twisting the back or leaning sideways 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.

4. 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.

5. Put down, then adjust. If precise positioning of the load is necessary, put it down first, then slide it into the desired position.

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.