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Manual Handling

Manual Handling means any activity requiring the use of force otherwise by a person to lift, lower, push, pull, carry or otherwise move, hold or restrain any object. Injuries involving manual handling (MH) account for approximately one third of all injuries sustained on worksites.
Activities that cause MH injuries include:
• Lifting/moving items that is too heavy for the capabilities of the individual.
• Lifting/moving items in a restricted or difficult to maneuver locations/positions.
• Twisting / bending when completing a M/H task.
• Completing M/H tasks whilst reaching or extending, ie lifting/moving items above shoulder height, lifting/moving items at ground level, and/or lifting/moving items at arms length.
• Lifting/moving large and/or awkward loads.
• Lack of fitness and/or warm up prior to M/H activities.
• Using incorrect lifting techniques.
• Sudden or jerking movements, ie catching heavy loads, tripping whilst carrying loads

Procedure for manual handling:
• Observe the load to make sure it’s able to be move.
• Keep your body close to the load as possible.
• Lift the load with you leg muscles and not your back.
• Pivot; DO NOT twist your Back. If you must turn, use your feet.

If in doubt, ask for help. Remember, if work can be done by a machine or tools, there is no need for your body to do it. Maximize team lifting and mechanical aids. Share the load and lift it together

Guidance for safe manual handling include the following:
• Complete warm up exercises prior to lifting/moving tasks, particularly at the start of the shift or after long periods of inactivity
• Get fit for the job, ie regular exercise, sensible diet etc

• Plan the lift/move; size up the weight and shape of the load and consider the space available to manoeuvre (stability, balance) as well as the distance of travel.
• If in doubt, get help; do not attempt to lift/move a load if there is any possibility of injury.
• Every person must understand his/her limitations and not exceed them; people have vastly different lifting abilities.
• Keep the load as close to the body as possible and keep the arms and elbows tucked in.
• Bend at the hip and knees, not at the back. This way the back can be kept straight and the stronger leg muscles take the load instead of the weaker back muscles.
• Keep your feet apart to improve stability. One foot should be slightly in front of the other, so that you are ready to walk off.
• Avoid bending and twisting. Keep tools, materials and equipment that are used on a regular basis as near as possible.
• Improve the layout of the work area ie. Good planning, design, housekeeping, etc. to reduce the risk of manual handling injuries.
• Use manual handling equipment, ie forklift whenever possible.

Manual Handling Risk Assessment
As with any high-risk activity a risk assessment approach should be adopted. For example:
a) Identify the hazard;
• large awkward load,
• heavy load,
• restricted access,
• twisting/ bending/reaching involved
b) Assess the Risk, what is the likelihood of someone sustaining and injury & what would be the likely consequences.
c) Apply control measures:
• Plan your job, find your direction.
• Use mechanical devices, such as a forklift.
• Get another person to help.
• Break the load into small loads

The cause of the Manual Handling injury is not always the task done at the time - but many tasks done over many years.

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