MANUAL

HANDLING
 Musculoskeletal injuries
and Occupational diseases
is preventable

Be proactive: it is up to US
to prevent it
Introduction
❑ Manual handling is a common activity in most workplaces

❑ It includes lifting, lowering, pulling, pushing, carrying,

moving, holding or restraining an object

❑ Injuries and musculoskeletal disorders affect the back,

neck, shoulder, arms & hands

❑ It can be prevented through a systemic approach of

identification, assessment and control of risks associated
with manual handling.
Manual Handling Facts

• Low back pain occurs with the same frequency in people with
sedentary occupations as those in heavy labour
• Musculo-skeletal disorders arising from work situations have
an estimated annual cost in the region of £3 billion and
account for 30 million lost work days each year
• Smokers are more likely to suffer back pain than non-
smokers
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
Risk Management on
Manual Handling
❑ Required to manage risks under WSH (Risk
Management) regulations

❑ Assess the risk

❑ Take all reasonably practical steps

❑ Eliminate any risks

Risk Management on
Manual Handling
❑ Step 1: Identification of hazard

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Risk Management on
Manual Handling
❑ Step 2: Assess the risk

❖ Dependent on severity of risk and likelihood of hazards

occurring

❖ severity X likelihood = risk level

❖ Risk Level = Low, Moderate or High

 Risk Management on
Manual Handling
Rare Remote Occasional Frequent Almost
(1) (2) (3) (4) Certain
(5)

Catastrophic (A) Medium Medium High High High

Major (B) Medium Medium Medium High High

Moderate (C) Low Medium Medium Medium High

Minor (D) Low Medium Medium Medium Medium

Negligible (E) Low Low Low Medium Medium

Risk Management on
Manual Handling
❑ Step 3: Select Measures to Control and Reduce Risk

❖ Based on hierarchy of hazards control

❖ 1st – Remove the hazard

❖ 2nd – Guard the remaining hazards

❖ 3rd – Mitigate impact of hazard

Risk Management on
Manual Handling
Hazards Associated with
Manual Handling -Heavy
❑ Lifting over 25kg load can result in back injury

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Hazards Associated with
Manual Handling - Heavy
Hazards Associated with
Manual Handling - Sharp
❑ Potential Cuts on the fingers
Hazards Associated with
Manual Handling –
Odd shapes
❑ Absence of grip to hold the load
❑ Obstruction of walking view

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Hazards Associated with
Manual Handling –
Toxic substances
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❑ Skin exposure to chemicals

Coolant

Lubricants
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Hazards Associated with
Manual Handling –
Toxic substances
❑ Exposure to chemical dust, fumes & vapours

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Common Injuries From
Manual Handling
❑ Neck Strain

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Common Injuries From
Manual Handling
❑ Wrist Sprains ❑ Back Sprains

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Common Injuries From
Manual Handling
❑ Shoulder pain ❑ Upper back pain

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Common Injuries From
Manual Handling
❑ Slips, trips and fall

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Common Injuries From
Manual Handling
❑ Cuts

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Health Hazards Resulting
From Chemical Handling
❑ Skin dermatitis

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Health Hazards Resulting
From Chemical Handling
❑ Skin dermatitis

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Health Hazards Resulting
From Chemical Handling
❑ Occupational respiratory & lung diseases

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Health Hazards Resulting
From Chemical Handling
❑ Occupational eye diseases

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Proper Manual
Handling - Individual
ALWAYS KEEP YOUR BACK STRAIGHT WHILE LIFTING

Step 1: Hold the Step 2: Keep the Step 3: Lift the Step 4: Ensure your
load by pushing legs are stable
load firmly load close to you
up your leg before moving off
Proper Manual
Handling - Individual
❑ Lifting aids
Proper Manual
Handling - Individual
❑ Lifting aids
Proper Manual
Handling - Individual
❑ Lifting aids
Proper Manual
Handling – Team
❑ Team/buddy lifting

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Proper Manual
Handling – Team
❑ Team/buddy lifting

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Selection of PPE for
Manual Handling
❑ Are there any sharp or point edges?

❑ Is it enough to prevent injuries or occupational diseases?

❑ Does the PPE fit you correctly?

❑ Does the PPE wear out easily?

❑ Is it based on chemical properties of the substance?

❑ Does it minimize contact with chemicals?

❑ Is it easy to clean and maintain?

Selection of PPE for
Manual Handling
❑ Safety boots

❑ Protective gloves

❑ Helmets

❑ Working apron or overalls

❑ Goggles or safety glasses

❑ Face mask or respirators

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Selection of PPE for
Manual Handling
❑ Safety boots

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Selection of PPE for
Manual Handling
❑ Protective gloves

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Selection of PPE for
Manual Handling
❑ Helmets

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Selection of PPE for
Manual Handling
❑ Working apron or safety overalls

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Selection of PPE for
Manual Handling
❑ Goggles or safety glasses

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Selection of PPE for
Manual Handling
❑ Face mask or respirator

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Job Designs to Prevent
Manual Handling Injuries
❑ Team handling for heavy or odd shape loads

❑ Breaks to reduce muscular fatigue

❑ Handlers job rotation between heavy and light activities

❑ Rearrange workplace to reduce twisting, stretching &

stooping
Job Designs to Prevent
Manual Handling Injuries
❑ Keep heavy loads around waist level

❑ Use of mechanical handling aid

❑ Package heavy materials into smaller container

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Picture source: CP 92 : 2002
Job Designs to Prevent
Manual Handling Injuries
❑ Provide handles, hand grips or indents for loads

❑ Loads to be free from dust, oil, corrosive deposits, sharp

corners, jagged edges or rough surfaces

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Indents & Handles

Job Designs to Prevent
Manual Handling Injuries
❑ Provide secondary containment for chemicals

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 Case Study
• The Case of Peter
• Peter injured his back while moving some large drums. He has previously suffered
from back problems but felt that it was under control. His doctor had advised him
not to lift anything above 20 kg but he had not passed this information to his boss.

• The injury was serious enough to land Peter in the hospital. Subsequently Peter was
diagnosed with a torn disk. Peter admitted the drums were heavy, but wanted to
have the job done.

• What should Peter have done?

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 Summary
❖ Hazards from manual handling

❖ Common injuries and occupational diseases Proper

manual handling methods

❖ Use of PPE

❖ Job designs to prevent manual handling injuries