MANUAL HANDLING

September 2013

© SBM Offshore 2013. All rights reserved. www.sbmoffshore.com

 Manual Handling - Welcome

Welcome to this short on Manual Handling

Manual handling is the cause of many workplace accidents. The most
frequent injuries are to the lower back and are caused by incorrect lifting or
movement, and by lifting or moving too heavy a load. Such injuries can
disable a worker, preventing that person from either working or carrying out
any non-work activities.

The Aims of this course are:

• Highlight the hazards involved in the movement of loads by physical effort
and how these can be eliminated or reduced
• What risk reduction and preventive measures as available
• How to conduct a manual handling assessment
 Manual Handling– Statistics

Accident Statistics

36.5% of accidents causing injury are attributed to Manual Handling

 Manual Handling – Hazards & Injuries

Hazards & Injuries

People pick up and move objects all the time at work and any such
activity may present a hazard. The risk is that the action will cause an
injury of some kind to the person undertaking the operation or by
causing the object to fall or move, create a risk that someone else may be
injured.
The four main causes of manual handling injuries:
 Improper lifting / moving technique
 Lifting / moving loads which are too heavy
 Failing to grip the load / object in a safe manner
 Not wearing appropriate PPE
 Manual Handling – Hazards & Injuries

Hazards & Injuries

Back injuries are caused by twisting, lifting or pulling loads where the
stress is carried on the spine, usually towards the base. The most
serious injuries are slipped or crushed discs, but this can also cause
sciatica.
Common types of injuries:
 Back injury (slipped, crushed disc)
 Muscular problems (sprains and strains)
 Hernias (muscle tear in the gut cavity)
 Bone injuries (fractures, breaks & impacts)
 Cuts, abrasions and bruising
 Work Related Upper Limb Disorders
(inflammation of tendons, stiffness of muscles)
 Manual Handling – Definition

Definition
Covers:

 Lifting
 Lowering
 Pushing
 Pulling
 Carrying

The basic rule of manual handling is:

• Avoid if possible
But if it cannot be avoided
• Reduce the risk as far as possible
 Manual Handling – TILE

Risk Assessment – T.I.L.E

Task Load

Manual Handling
Risk Assessment

Environment Individual Capability

 Manual Handling – Task

Risk Assessment - Task

Manual handling may involve lifting or lowering loads from the floor
or at any height, reaching up to get a load, pulling or pushing a load or
even twisting it around. The task may be broken down into more
detail considering such factors as:
• Twisting
• Stooping
• Reaching upwards
• Repetitive handling
• Movement of loads
• Long carrying distances
• Large vertical movements
 Manual Handling – Load

Risk Assessment - Load

A load constitutes a hazard because of its weight, size, shape,
resistance to movement, rigidity or lack of it, position of its centre of
gravity, presence or absence of handles or even surface texture. We
need to consider such aspects as whether it is:
• Heavy
• Bulky / Unwieldy
• Difficult to hold
• Unstable / Unpredictable
• Harmful of itself
• Sharp
• Hot
 Manual Handling – Environment

Risk Assessment - Environment

The term environment refers to the general and specific conditions in
the immediate surroundings where manual handling operations take
place. This should include any routes taken by loads, the key
considerations are:
• Constraints on space and posture
• Poor floor surfaces
• Variations in levels
• High temperatures / humidity
• Poor lighting
 Manual Handling – Individual Capability

Risk Assessment – Individual Capability

There are three main points to assess in an individual’s ability to carry
out manual handling tasks safely:
Whether the task requires unusual abilities
• Unusual strength
• Particular height
Whether the task presents a risk to those with a health problem
• Over or underweight
• Arthritis, chest or heart issues
Whether the task calls for special information or training
• Working practices
• Special information
 Manual Handling – Guidelines

Manual Handling - Guidelines

Lifting & Lowering Handling while seated

 Manual Handling – Minimising the Risks

Minimising the Risk

We can reduce injury risk by using mechanical equipment such as fork
lift trucks and trolleys to undertake the lifting and / or carrying loads.
There are cost implications to this and they bring their own risks with
them, thus a balance has to be struck between their use and other
means of reducing risks.
The basis of safe systems of work for manual handling operations lies
in adopting appropriate strategies to minimise risk in terms of the
same four factors which we discussed for the risk assessment process.
 Task
 Load
 Environment
 Individual Capability
 Manual Handling – Task

Minimising the Risk - Task

Where it is not possible to use mechanical aids, consideration should
be given to the redesign of the task itself. The following aspects of the
task may be considered:
• Sequencing – adjusting the order of the tasks performed to
minimise the number of operations involving lifting and carrying
loads.
• Work routine – reducing repetitive operations to allow more
variation in movement and posture by such means as breaks and
job rotation.
• Using teams – sharing the load by using teams of workers to carry
out the task, for example, specifying that two people are required
to lift certain types of loads
 Manual Handling – Load

Minimising the Risk - Load

Attention should be given to reducing the weight of loads and making
them easier to handle safely. The following aspects may be considered:
• Weight and size – is it possible to break up loads so that individual
items are lighter and/or smaller.
• Making the load easier to grasp – where it is not possible to make the
loads smaller, hand grips or handles may have to be provided
• Making the load more stable – attention should be given to the way
in which items are packed within containers to prevent movement.
• Making the load less damaging to hold – ensuring that the surfaces
are clean, smooth, not slippery and hot/cold items are in insulated
containers.
• Markings – it is helpful to those handling loads that they are aware of
the approximate weight and centre of gravity
 Manual Handling – Environment

Minimising the Risk -Environment

We can improve the conditions for people who are carrying out handling
operations by changing different features:
• Workstation design – the object should be make access to the load
being handled and any equipment used during the operation as
comfortable as possible.
• Floor conditions – all floors should be free of obstructions, bumps,
holes and any materials which may cause workers to slip, fall or
otherwise lose their footing.
• Changes in level – the use of steps and ladders should be avoided
wherever possible when carrying loads, particularly where they may
obstruct visibility.
• Atmospheric conditions – heating, ventilation and lighting should be
comfortable to work in and do not cause fatigue.
• PPE – operators should be provided with such equipment to protect
themselves from the type of load handled
Manual Handling – Video
 Manual Handling – Lifting Techniques

Manual Handling – Lifting Techniques

 Manual Handling – Lifting Techniques

Manual Handling – Lifting Techniques

Before the Lift
Before actually commencing the lift, there are a number of key checks to
be made:
 Check actual or approximate weight of load
 Check for awkward shape
 Plan your route
 Remove obstructions
 Wear suitable PPE
 Establish a firm grip
 Manual Handling – Lifting Techniques

Manual Handling – Lifting Techniques

Completing the Task
Good techniques is essential here and includes the following factors:
 Bend knees
 Keep your back as straight as possible
 Avoid twisting, over-reaching or jerking
 Establish good balance
 Keep load close to body and maintain firm grip
 Use body weight to lift load or carry out movement
 Manual Handling – Lifting Techniques

Manual Handling – Lifting Techniques

Completing the Task
The same principles should be applied for setting loads down:
 Keep your back as straight as possible
 Avoid twisting, over-reaching or jerking
 Maintain good balance
 Keep load close to body and maintain firm grip
 Use body to lower the load or carry out movement

After completion you should check that the load is safely located
and that the area is clear. The technique is sometimes
referred to as “kinetic handling” or “kinetic lifting”.
 Manual Handling– Summary

Summary

Manual handling operations present significant risks of personal injury

and damage to goods. They arise from the characteristics of the task, the
load, the working environment and the individual capabilities of the
people involved.
Note – that the hazards presented by the load are not simply those
related to its weight.
• The load is securely packed and is stable
• The working environment provides for safe operations
• The training of personnel in manual handling techniques
 Manual Handling- Questions

QUESTIONS