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    Manual Handling An Introduction

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    Hamed

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    © All Rights Reserved
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    Manual Handling An Introduction

    Uploaded by

    Hamed
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    © © All Rights Reserved

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    Copyright:

    © All Rights Reserved
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    3 views39 pages

    Manual Handling An Introduction

    Uploaded by

    Hamed

    Copyright:

    © All Rights Reserved
    Download as PDF, TXT or read online from Scribd
    Download as pdf or txt
    of 39

    Manual Handling

    An Introduction
    Manual Handling
    Course Content

    Statistics
    Definition
    Anatomy & Injuries
    Mechanics
    Law
    Risk Assessment
    Lifting Safely
    Anyone Hurt?
    Accident Statistics
    Largest cause of accidents at work

    37% Manual Handling


    19% Slips, Trips and Falls
    12% Other Causes
    20% Struck by an Object
    7% Falling from Height
    5% Machinery
    Accident Statistics
    Interpreted another way - the overall figure
    of 37% means that:
    86000 people are absent daily
    26,500,000 working days are lost annually
    £1000,000,000 is lost in production,
    sickness benefit and medical costs

    In terms of suffering each injury results in an


    average of 20 days off work – some never
    fully recover. Four out of five people suffer
    with back related problems at some time – the
    risk is greater after the age of 30.
    Definition of Manual Handling
    The transporting or
    supporting of a load by
    hand or some other part of
    the body including the
    lifting, putting down,
    pushing, pulling, carrying,
    moving or intentionally
    dropping or throwing a load
    Anatomy
    Spine
    Three main functions
    ⚫ To protect the spinal cord
    ⚫ To allow movement.
    ⚫ To support the upper body

    Complex System
    ⚫ Spinal Cord
    ⚫ Nerves
    ⚫ Ligaments
    ⚫ Muscles & Tendons
    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
    Disc
    Spinal Cord

    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

    Vertebrae
    Anatomy
    Discs
    Nucleus
    ⚫ Act as shock
    absorbers
    ⚫ Firmly attached to
    vertebrae
    ⚫ Poor blood supply
    ⚫ Annulus stretches
    and relaxes during
    movement.

    Annulus
    Anatomy
    Discs
    ⚫ Repeated stresses
    can cause minute
    tears and bulging of
    the disk.
    ⚫ Presses on
    adjacent nerves
    and ligaments –
    pins & needles,
    pain, numbness
    ⚫ Commonly called a
    slipped disc
    Muscles

    ⚫ Muscles are bundles of fibre which enable


    movement
    ⚫ Messages from the brain cause them to
    contract and relax
    ⚫ Connected by tendons and when muscles
    contract the bones are drawn closer together
    ⚫ A damaged muscle is called a strain
    Mechanics
    ⚫ Balance point is through centre of body when
    standing
    ⚫ A load held in front disturbs the balance - tension is
    generated in the back muscles to compensate
    ⚫ Forms a lever effect
    ⚫ Average person holding a 10kg load at arms length
    generates a counterbalancing tension up to 10
    times more – to avoid falling over
    ⚫ High or repetitive levels of tension in the back can
    cause damage – called muscle strain
    Mechanics

    Centre of Gravity

    Centre of Gravity
    Lever effect is reduced if load held closer to the body
    Ligaments & Nerves
    Ligaments Nerves
    ⚫ Strong fibrous tissue ⚫ Millions of fibres
    ⚫ Small degree of transmitting electrical
    elasticity impulses
    ⚫ Stooped back ⚫ Vertebrae enclose and
    posture can result in protect
    permanent ⚫ Nerves branch out from
    elongation – the spinal cord and pass
    weakness and pain between vertebrae
    ⚫ Damaged if stretched ⚫ Irritated nerves can be
    too far and torn – felt right along there
    called a sprain. length – called sciatica
    Manual Handling Regulations 1992
    Regulations provide a hierarchy of measures
    Employers must:
    Avoid manual handling where possible
    Assess any hazardous activities where manual handling
    can’t be avoided
    If the assessment indicates a significant risk of injury a
    more specific assessment must be made
    Reduce the risk of injury as far as is reasonably
    practicable
    Manual Handling Regulations 1992
    Employees have duties too:

    Follow the laid down systems of work


    Make proper use of equipment provided
    Co-operate in H&S matters
    Advise your manager if you are unwell
    Not putting other people at risk
    Risk Assessment

    T Task
    I Individual’s capabilities
    L Load
    E Environment

    any other factors


    The Task
    Holding loads away Strenuous pushing
    from body and pulling
    Twisting Unpredictable
    movement of load
    Stooping
    Repetitive handling
    Reaching upwards
    Insufficient rest or
    Large vertical recovery time
    movements Workrate imposed by
    Long travel the process
    distances
    Individual Capability

    Physical condition
    Illness
    Pregnancy
    Requires unusual capabilities
    Call for special information or training
    The Load

    Heavy
    Bulky or unwieldy
    Difficult to grasp
    Unstable/unpredictable
    Harmful ie sharp/hot
    The Working Environment

    Constraints on posture eg lack of space


    Poor floors
    Variations in levels
    Hot/cold/rain/ice/humid conditions
    Strong air movement
    Poor lighting conditions
    Other Factors
    ⚫ Is movement hindered by clothing or personal
    protective clothing

    and people!!
    ⚫ High Stress
    ⚫ Poor Diet
    ⚫ Lack of exercise
    ⚫ Rushing – pressure of work
    ⚫ Showing off
    ⚫ Short cuts
    Risk Assessment
    Identify the elements of significant risk
    Decide who might be harmed and how
    Evaluate risks/Control measures
    Record the findings of assessment
    Review/revise assessment

    T Task
    I Individual’s capabilities
    L Load
    E Environment
    Video

    Manual Handling – The Facts


    Lifting Safely
    Ultimate Objective
    To Relieve Fatigue & Strain

    Use correct handling techniques


    Ensure good vision
    Change position regularly
    Avoid over reaching or stretching
    Adjust work surface heights
    Relax where possible
    Use mechanical aids
    Kinetic Lifting
    Summarised by:

    Plan the Route


    Assess the load
    Correct position of feet
    Straight back
    Correct grip
    Lift smoothly
    Kinetic Lifting

    Plan the Route

    Where is the load going


    Are there obstructions in the way
    Is there somewhere to set it down
    Kinetic Lifting
    One Person Lift
    Determine the weight
    Look for sharp edges
    See if weight is evenly
    distributed
    Keep heaviest side to body
    Decide how to hold the load

    If it is too heavy use a trolley


    or get assistance
    Kinetic Lifting
    Correct Positioning of Feet
    Comfortably apart
    One foot positioned in direction of
    movement
    Other foot where it can give
    maximum thrust to the body

    To maintain good
    balance feet should
    never be too close
    together on the ground
    Kinetic Lifting
    Straight Back
    Lower the body by
    relaxing the knees
    Keep your back
    straight (but not
    vertical)
    Keep load close to
    body
    Keep chin in and head
    back
    Kinetic Lifting
    Lifting
    If lifting from ground make
    maximum use of legs
    Keep back straight but
    inclined forward
    As lift proceeds and the
    legs are straightened the
    back returns to vertical
    position

    Positioning of feet and bending of


    knees are the key factors in
    maintaining a straight back
    Kinetic Lifting
    Correct Grip
    Take a firm grip by using
    the palms of the hands
    and roots of fingers
    Taking weight on finger
    tips will create pressure
    at the end of fingers and
    could strain muscles and
    tendons in the arms
    A full palm grip will reduce muscle
    stress to the arms and decrease the
    possibility of the load slipping
    Kinetic Lifting
    Lifting Smoothly

    Thrust from back foot and straightening of


    knees will move body forwards and upwards
    – briefly off balance
    Immediately countered by bringing the back
    foot forward as if walking
    Lift now completed - forward movement
    results in smooth transition from lifting to
    carrying
    Kinetic Lifting
    Carrying the Load
    Make sure you can see where you
    are going
    Avoid twisting the body – move
    your feet instead
    If you need to change your grip –
    set the load down – not whilst
    walking
    Setting the Load Down
    Use the correct stance for lifting
    and set the load down gently
    Kinetic Lifting
    Two Person Lift
    Decide who will be
    caller
    Assess the weight
    Correct positioning of
    feet
    Straight back
    Correct grip
    Lift together

    The caller co-ordinates the lift and ensures


    each lifter knows what to do and when
    Kinetic Lifting - Summary
    ✓Plan the route, the lift and the set
    down point
    ✓Position your feet - bent knees,
    straight back
    ✓Firm grip, lift smoothly,
    ✓Move the feet – do not twist body
    ✓Keep the load close to the body
    ✓Put down smoothly – then adjust for
    final position
    Conclusion?

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