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Manual Handling
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Course Outline
Introduction
Personnel training
Training focus
Common injuries
Causes of injuries
Planning a lift
Handling of chemicals
PPE requirements
Summary
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Introduction
Manual handling is very common in the construction
industry as a method for material transfer. Though
mechanical means are available, it is not always
practicable.
The risk of injury can be reduced through training and
application of correct lifting &handling techniques.
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Training Focus
Training must focus on
May Injure Your back
the following areas:
Common injuries
Causes of injuries
Planning manual lifts
PPE requirements
Other requirements
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Types Of Injury Caused by handling
Accidents
5%
Sprain & strain
7% 7%
Superficial
7% Contusion
Lacerations
9% 65% Fractures
Others
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Common Injuries
Common injuries include:
Wounds
Strains and sprains to joints &
muscles
Torn ligaments & tendons
Slipped discs, tears and
hernias
Cuts & abrasions
Back injuries Hernias
Crush injuries (fingers, toes) Fractures
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Cause of Injury
Bad postures (sudden movements, Strains
twisting, jerking) &
Heavy loads (loads beyond ones Sprains
capability)
Rough surfaces (sharp, jagged
edges, splinters, projections)
Moving Wrong Way
Crushing (heavy loads, no wedges)
Lack of knowledge (load weight)
Obscured vision (walking backwards,
load blocking vision)
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Planning a Manual Lift
In planning a manual lift, a lot of factors
needs to be considered;
Lifting capacity
The nature of the load
Kinetic method consideration
Grasping of the load
Carrying the load
Provision of hand hooks
Team lifting
Use of rollers
Mechanical options
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Planning a Manual Lift
A: Lifting capacity
When lifting any load, we should
consider the following:
Personal physique, age,
condition, training, technique.
Nature of load (compact, wide,
etc)
Weight of load
Load’s centre of gravity
Distance load has to be moved
Means of moving the load
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Planning a Manual Lift
B: The nature of the load
The manner load is packaged has a
lot to do with its handling:
If load is heavy, can it be moved in
bits (it is easier for 50kg in five 10
kg bits than one single 50kg once).
Absence of lifting/handling points
Does its nature permit rolling,
slewing, or pushing?
Does its nature permit assistance?
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Planning a Manual Lift
C: Kinetic method of lifting
This entails proper body posture for
lifting:
Correct feet positioning
Flexible knees
Straight back
Keeping arms close to the body
Correct grip/hold
Chin in, head up
Use of body weight
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Planning a Manual Lift
D: Grasping the load
When lifting any load, the
posture to be adopted is
essential to the safe handling:
Movements should be smooth
and natural (avoiding twisting,
jerking).
Straightening the legs, back
erect )
Looking straight in the
Good Bad
direction of movement.
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Planning a Manual Lift
E: Carrying the load
Firmly grasp, close to body,
move directly to deposit load.
Keep load centre of gravity to
that of the body.
Load must not obstruct view
Grip must not be changed while
load is already lifted.
If grip must change, rest load on
a support first.
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Planning a Manual Lift
F: Provision of hooks if load is
unwieldy (irregular in shape)
Provide hand hooks to ease carriage
Have a proper grip before lifting
G : Team lifting
When load is large, awkward etc, ask
for assistance:
Assistance to be of similar height and
body weight.
Get further assistance to direct lifting
operation.
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Planning a Manual Lift
H: Use of roller devices
If the nature of the load permits
rolling, slewing, or pushing.
Insert steel pipes under front of
load and load pushed
Absolute care to be taken by
personnel inserting the steel
pipes to avoid hand crushing
injuries.
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Planning a Manual Lift
I : Mechanical options
For every manual handling, always
consider the option of a safer
mechanical
Lifting.
Pulleys
Come-along
Fork lifts
Cranes
Others
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TO PREVENT PAIN, INJURIES
AND DAMAGE ..
Examine &
test… Get help… Talk…
Plan the job…
Wear PPE
Get a good grip Rest
and breath... frequently… Lift…
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Lifting – One Person Squat
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Raise…
Lift slowly
Think!! and …
Bend…
Grasp…
Hold…
Stand…
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Carrying
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Don’t block….
Keep the Load
Keep arms.. close to the
Body..
Don’t change.. Avoid twisting…
Take small steps
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Unloading
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Bend…
Slide…
Be careful…
Place…
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Why back pain happens?
Poor posture
including sitting in a stationary position for long periods
(driving or at desk)
Poor Physical Condition
Will cause back pain Repetitive Trauma
Physical overload
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Pain & Suffering caused
by Back Injures
Limited Mobility limited in physical movements
Decreased Activity can’t move around as much
Change in life style can’t do all the things you used to be
able to do.
Loss or reduction in revenue can’t work or have to change jobs.
Depression from the changes above
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Handling of Chemicals
Before the handling and use of chemical,
the individual must read and understand the
manufacturers instruction through the MSDS,
the information included but limited to:
Chemical composition
Exposures limit
Storage requirements
Safe handling method
First Aid measures
Disposal requirement
SPECIFIC
HAZARD
PPE requirement
Emergencies
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PPE Requirements
Helmets – Protect against
accident knocks.
Long-sleeved shirts – Protects
against abrasions of the skin
Steel toed boots – Protects
soles, toes, feet, from sharp
objects
Hand gloves – Protects palms,
fingers against abrasions & cuts
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Summary
Prior to any manual lifting operation taking place the
following must be performed
Assess the manual handling task to identify and reduce the
risk that may be inherent in the operation
Where possible, eliminate the need to carry out the manual
handing operation
Where risk is identified, implement mitigation measure to
reduce the risk
Consideration must be given to limiting the weight to be lifted
manually, 25kg is recommended as a maximum for one
person
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Conclusion
The most serious lifting related injury is the BACK
INJURY.
Take good care of your back at all times to help
prevent painful and disabling injuries.
You can protect yourself !
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