AGENDA

Date: 15th August 2022

Time: 10:30am Meeting ended: 11:00am

Chairperson: Shirlean Prince

Welcome All Employees

HSE MOMENT:

 Manual Handling Training

HSE MEETING
HSE Meeting

Date: August 15th, 2022, Time: 10:30am-11:00 am

Lyn- Welcomed everyone to the HSE Meeting.

GENERAL DISCUSSION

WHAT IS ERGONOMICS?
Study of how people physically interact with their work- fitting the job, the equipment and work
environment to the worker.

WHAT IS MANUAL HANDLING?

Manual handling is using your body to lift an object without electrical assistant.

MANUAL HANDLING FACTS

• Being overweight increases the likelihood of back pain
• Age doesn’t necessarily make any difference, bad backs affect people of all ages
• Poor handling techniques when you are young will contribute to problems in later life
 • Those who have suffered from a back injury are three times more likely to suffer injury
again

SAFE OPERATING PROCEDURE S.O.P. 2

MANUAL HANDLING
The purpose of this Procedure is to inform managers and employees of the safe working practices
and procedures that should be implemented when doing Manual Lifting.

This Procedure forms part of the suite of policies which contribute to the overall objectives of the
Contractors’ Warehouse Limited Health & Safety Management System.

This Procedure applies to all employees at Contractors’ Warehouse Limited who undertake manual
handling: i.e., manual handling by human effort.

The procedure also applies to employees working away from the Contractors’ Warehouse Limited
premises.

Manual Handling is any transporting or supporting of a load (including the lifting, putting down,
pushing, pulling, carrying, or moving) by hand or
bodily force

LOAD IS A DISCREET MOVEABLE OBJECT

RESPONSIBILITY Managers/ Supervisors

The Managers/ Supervisors is responsible for ensuring that precautions
outlined in this procedure is adhered to and understood by employees
undertaking the task.
1. Implement the Manual Handling Procedure within their area.
2. Should be aware of the manual handling tasks that occur within their
area(s) of responsibility and where possible avoid the need for employees
to undertake any manual handling tasks which involve a high risk of
injury.
3. Ensure that the risk to employees and others from manual handling
activities have been adequately risk assessed.
4. Ensure that adequate control measures are in place to eliminate or reduce
the risk of injury
5. Ensure the outcome of the assessments are actioned, monitored and
communicated to employees.
6. Ensure that employees receive adequate information, instruction and
training regarding safe manual handling techniques and the risks from
 manual handling.
7. Where appropriate, include manual handling training within any
departmental training matrix and ensure that suitable training courses are
arranged.
8. Ensure that all employees who undertake significant manual handling
activities attend manual handling training.
EMPLOYEES INVOLVE IN THE TASK

1. Every employee involve in the task shall monitor their surroundings

always.
2. Employees must adhere to safe working practices outlined as a minimum
in this section, protecting themselves to the best of their ability.
3. If work cannot be conducted safely, it should not be performed.
4. Avoid manual handling activities where possible.
5. Take reasonable care for their own health and safety and that of others
who may be affected when undertaking manual handling activities.
6. Use appropriate mechanical aids where practicable.
7. Use multiple persons (e.g., 2-person lifts), where the task is outside their
personal capabilities.
8. Not manually handle any item they consider to be outside their personal
capability.
9. Follow guidance and instructions contained in any generic/specific risk
assessment or training.
10. Alert their manager of any manual handling hazards that may pose a risk
to their own or others’
11. health and safety.
12. Report any medical conditions that may affect their ability to undertake
manual handling tasks that are reasonably expected as part of their role to
their manager.
13. Wear suitable work clothing and footwear for moving and handling.
14. Report any accidents, incidents and near misses (related to manual
handling), as per the Contractors’ Warehouse Limited incident reporting
procedure.
15. Ensure the area is free of debris (remove tripping hazards)
16. Check the area that you are moving the object to. Ensure that the area is
free of debris and tripping hazards.
17. Know what your lifting capacity is. Know what you’re lifting and
approximately how heavy it is. Get assistance to lift heavy objects.
18. Check to see if object is too heavy by tipping it slightly. Never attempt to
lift alone if it is too heavy or awkward.
19. Take a good stance with feet planted firmly, legs shoulder width apart.
 Ensure you are on level ground.
20. Get a firm grip with your hands rather than just fingers.
21. Keep back straight, almost vertical. Bend at the hips.
22. Hold loads close to your body when transporting load. Keep weight of
your body over your feet for good balance.
23. Use large leg muscles to lift. Push up with the foot positioned in the rear
as you start to lift.
24. Lift steadily and smoothly, avoid quick, jerky movements.
25. Avoid twisting motions. Turn the forward foot and point it in the
direction of the eventual movement. Never try to lift more than you are
accustomed to.
26. Always get help when lifting bulky loads.
27. Safety vest when working around mobile equipment or traffic
28. Ensure that the work area is left tidy and free of debris and tripping
hazards.
29. Wear all PPE
30. . Know what your lifting capacity is. Know what you’re lifting and
approximately how heavy it is. Get assistance to lift heavy objects.
31. Lift with a straight back, never twist your back while bearing weight
32. Avoid lifting objects repetitively over shoulder height
33. Never lift or obtain heavy objects from over shoulder height, obtain an
appropriate step ladder or rolling staircase with locking wheels.
34. Muscle Strain Injuries
35. Crush injuries
36. Damages
37. Pinch points,
38. Broken Bones
39. Slips, Trips and Falls.
40. Eye protection, as required
41. Gloves, as required
42. Steel toed boots

Manual Handling Techniques.

Cumulative Manual Handling Injuries
• Back Pain
• Neck
• Shoulders
• Knees
• Feet
• Wrist/Elbows
 • Hernia
• Overall Fatigue
• Many Others
•
Proper Lifting Techniques

Lifting Do’s and Don’ts

DO…
 Know or test the object weight.
 Use ergonomic lift assists when possible.
 Plan the lift and clear your path.
 Get help for heavy or awkward loads.
 Keep the object in the power zone.
 Use a wide stance for balance.
 Use your legs to lift.
 Pivot your feet to avoid twisting.

DON’T…
 Don’t hold your breath.
 Don’t bend or twist at the waist.
 Don’t use a partial grip (1-2 fingers).
 Don’t obstruct your vision when carrying.
 Don’t jerk or lift quickly.
 Don’t pinch you fingers or toes.
 Don’t pull a load if you can push it.
 Don’t forget to wear proper PPE

Value of Meeting: Informative

 ATTENDEE SIGNATURE FORM

Date: 15th August 2022

Facilitated By: Shirlean Prince
Policy/ Procedure: MANUAL HANDLING TRAINING

Please sign indicating your presence, understanding and agreement with the topic
discussed.

No. Attendee Name (In Block Letters) Signature

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