Power & Water Utility Company for Jubail and Document ID No : MSSM-1-SF-002

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OCCUPATIONAL HEALTH AND SAFETY Rev. No.: 1
MANAGEMENT MANUAL Date of issue: 1 April 2014

33. MANUAL HANDLING

1. PURPOSE
To ensure that Manual Handling is undertaken without significant risk to health or safety.

2. SCOPE
This procedure applies to all Marafiq employees and activities.

3. DEFINITIONS & ACRONYMS

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3.1 Acronyms:

None

3.2 Definition

Manual Handling – The transporting or supporting of a load by hand or bodily force. This
includes lifting, putting down, pushing, pulling, carrying or moving.

4. RESPONSIBILITIES

Department Managers, Superintendents and Supervisors

Department Managers, Superintendents and Supervisors are responsible for identifying manual
handling activities that may require assessment within their departments or sections. They must
ensure that employees receive manual handling training every three years. They must ensure that
remedial actions from detailed manual handling assessments are implemented in good time. They will
ensure there are sufficient trained manual handling assessors to complete the assessments in good
time and will ensure that assessments are reviewed every 12-months.

Superintendents and Supervisors

Superintendents and Supervisors must ensure that manual handling activities are carried out in line
with the control measures identified in the detailed manual handling assessment and any subsequent
safe methods of work. They will also identify manual handling activities not covered by existing
assessments to their line managers. They will ensure that equipment provided to improve manual
handling is maintained in a safe and efficient working condition and that it is used in line with any
training and instruction given. Superintendents and Supervisors will ensure that employees use safe
handling techniques communicated during manual handling training.

Employees
Employees will attend and learn from manual handling training and apply their learning in safe manual
handling techniques.

Manual Handling Risk Assessors

Manual Handling Risk Assessors will complete assessments to the best of their ability, in good time and
in line with their training. They will work with Department managers, Superintendents and Supervisors
to find practical solutions to manual handling problems. They will record the significant findings of their

PROPRIETARY NOTICE IMPORTANT

THIS DOCUMENT CONTAINS INFORMATION PROPRIETARY TO MARAFIQ. ANY DISCLOSURE OR USE
IS EXPRESSLY PROHIBITED EXCEPT UPON WRITTEN PERMISSION BY MARAFIQ. Only document with stamps are considered official.

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assessments on the forms provided and will ensure that recorded assessments can be retrieved using
department or centrally controlled document retrieval systems.

OHS Section
The OHS Section will determine the standard of training required for general manual handling training
and manual handling risk assessor training. They will also assist the Organization Effectiveness
Department in developing specific training and instruction for equipment and techniques designed or
provided for manual handling. They will provide guidance and advice on manual handling hazards and
control measures.
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PROPRIETARY NOTICE IMPORTANT

THIS DOCUMENT CONTAINS INFORMATION PROPRIETARY TO MARAFIQ. ANY DISCLOSURE OR USE
IS EXPRESSLY PROHIBITED EXCEPT UPON WRITTEN PERMISSION BY MARAFIQ. Only document with stamps are considered official.

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5. PROCEDURE CHART

Step 1 Identify manual handling activity

Step 2 Is it obvious that there is no Yes No control measures required. Step 3

significant risk? Manual handling training only

No
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Step 4 Is there a practical solution to Yes Select a method to eliminate Step 5

eliminate manual handling? manual handling

No

Step 6 Use the manual handling risk

filter to determine risk level

Step 7 Is the level of risk significant? No No control measures required. Step 8

Manual handling training only

Yes

Step 9 Conduct detailed manual

handling risk assessment
Hierarchy of control
Use mechanical devices
Improve the load
Step 10 Implement control measures Improve the individual
identified by the assessment Improve the task
Improve the environment
Improve other factors
Provide information
Step 11 Provide additional training for
the load or equipment

Step 12 Carry out the manual handling

Step 13 Review the assessment

PROPRIETARY NOTICE IMPORTANT

THIS DOCUMENT CONTAINS INFORMATION PROPRIETARY TO MARAFIQ. ANY DISCLOSURE OR USE
IS EXPRESSLY PROHIBITED EXCEPT UPON WRITTEN PERMISSION BY MARAFIQ. Only document with stamps are considered official.

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MANAGEMENT MANUAL Date of issue: 1 April 2014

6. RELATED DOCUMENTS
Procedure – Risk Assessment
Procedure – Training, Information, instruction
Form – Manual Handling Risk Filter
Form – Manual Handling Risk Assessment

7. GUIDANCE

7.1 Guidance Procedure Chart

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Step 1 – Identify a Manual Handling Activity

Managers, Superintendents and Supervisors will identify manual handling activities carried out by the
employees who report to them. These activities may be isolated activities or may be activities repeated
regularly. Note the definition of manual handling.

Step 2 – Is There Significant Risk?

Many manual handling activities involve no significant risk and it is obvious that they can be completed
without placing employees at risk beyond that experienced in normal life. Examples of manual handling
activities where it is obvious that there is no significant risk include:

Using a phone Drinking from a glass or bottle Opening a door

Carrying a letter/slim document Carrying a lunch box or tray Picking up shoes
Using a pen or pencil Putting on a hard hat Using a multi-meter

Step 3 – No Significant Risk

If there is no significant risk from manual handling, there are no specific control measures required for
the activity to proceed. However, poor posture and poor technique in picking items up from the floor
can cause injury. Therefore, Department managers, Superintendents and Supervisors will ensure that
all employees receive basic manual handling training. This training should be repeated at least once
every three years. Note that manual handling training will typically last two-hours and address the
following:
 Definition of manual handling and the extent of the problem
 The structure of the back and the nature of injuries
 What causes manual handling injuries
 Preventing injury and controlling the risks
 Practical demonstration of handling techniques
 Demonstration of the ability to apply the techniques learned

Step 4 – Can Manual Handling be eliminated?

There are occasions when particular manual handling activities can be eliminated. Examples include:
 Conveying materials using pipes or conveyors
 Palletizing loads so they can be transported using lift trucks
 Bringing the operation to the load instead of the load to the operation
 Changing the layout so the load does not need to move

PROPRIETARY NOTICE IMPORTANT

THIS DOCUMENT CONTAINS INFORMATION PROPRIETARY TO MARAFIQ. ANY DISCLOSURE OR USE
IS EXPRESSLY PROHIBITED EXCEPT UPON WRITTEN PERMISSION BY MARAFIQ. Only document with stamps are considered official.

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These solutions are not always physically possible or practical. Where the cost, inconvenience and/or
time required to eliminate the manual handling activity is disproportionate to the benefit achieved,
elimination may not be practical.

Step 5 – Eliminate Manual Handling

Where a practical solution is available, implement the solution and eliminate the manual handling
activity. Note that if there is a delay in eliminating the manual handling activity, the Department
manager, Superintendent or Supervisor should ensure that this process is followed through step 6
onward as an interim measure.
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Step 6 – Manual Handling Risk Filter

Some manual handling activities may or may not involve significant risk but this is not always obvious.
For example, when picking up an object from the floor, such as a box of paper, the weight of the box
may be sufficient to place excessive forces on the back. Also, when reaching away from the body or
twisting, the capacity of the body to cope with loads reduces. The question is whether the point at
which damage could occur has been reached or not. For this reason, activities with a possible risk of
injury should be assessed to determine whether they pose a significant risk or not.

The Department Manager, Superintendent or Supervisor will assign a trained manual handling
assessor to use the manual handling risk filter form to determine whether an activity involves a
significant level of risk or not. Note that manual handling risk assessors must be trained in manual
handling injuries, control measures and manual handling assessment techniques. This will include
instruction on how to use the manual handling risk assessment forms and practice sessions with the
forms.

Manual handling risk assessors will maintain a register of manual handling risk assessments (filter and
detailed) for the departments they assess activities for.

Step 7 and 8 – Is There a Significant Risk

If the manual handling risk filter reveals that there is no significant risk from the activity, no specific
control measures are required. However, as in step 3, all employees should receive manual handling
training repeated every three years.

Step 9 – Detailed Manual Handling Assessment

The manual handling risk assessor will complete a detailed manual handling risk assessment for the
activity. The detailed manual handling risk assessment form will be used to record the significant
findings and control measures required to reduce the level of risk to an acceptable level.

Step 10 – Control Measures

The risk assessor will ensure that the control measures required to reduce the level of risk are recorded
fully and are communicated to the manager responsible for the activity. The Department Manager,
Superintendent or Supervisor will ensure that the control measures are implemented in good time.
Where control measures cannot be implemented, the Department manager, Superintendent or
Supervisor will work with the risk assessor to identify alternative control measures.

PROPRIETARY NOTICE IMPORTANT

THIS DOCUMENT CONTAINS INFORMATION PROPRIETARY TO MARAFIQ. ANY DISCLOSURE OR USE
IS EXPRESSLY PROHIBITED EXCEPT UPON WRITTEN PERMISSION BY MARAFIQ. Only document with stamps are considered official.

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MANAGEMENT MANUAL Date of issue: 1 April 2014

Control measures will be selected from the following hierarchy:

 Use mechanical devices to lessen the force on the body
o Trolleys, pallet trucks, skates, powered hoists, pulleys
 Improve the load
o Reduce the weight, reduce the size, provide handles, secure the load
 Improve the individual
o Train the individual in manual handling, select individuals suitable for the work
 Improve the task
o Change the layout of the task, change the work rate
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 Improve the environment

o Remove trip and slip hazards, create more space, improve lighting
 Improve other factors
o Select clothing that enables free movement, improve the company H&S culture
 Provide information
o Label items to indicate how heavy or light they are

Step 11 – Additional Training

Where one of the control measures requires the use of a particular piece of handling equipment,
particular handling methods or precautions, additional training or instruction must be given. Training
must be delivered by competent persons and be specific to the task in question.

Step 12 – Carry out Manual Handling

Employees may carry out the manual handling task(s) in line with their training and with the control
measures identified in the detailed risk assessment. Where control measures are complex, they must
be communicated using documented safe methods of work and briefings. Superintendents and
Supervisors must ensure that safe manual handling techniques are used and that lifting aids are used
as intended.

Step 13 – Review the Assessment

The first time a manual handling activity is performed it must be reviewed by the manual handling risk
assessor with the manager or supervisor responsible for the activity. Any new information must be
used to modify the assessment and record new or modified control measures.

All manual handling assessments for repeat activities must be reviewed every 12-months.

PROPRIETARY NOTICE IMPORTANT

THIS DOCUMENT CONTAINS INFORMATION PROPRIETARY TO MARAFIQ. ANY DISCLOSURE OR USE
IS EXPRESSLY PROHIBITED EXCEPT UPON WRITTEN PERMISSION BY MARAFIQ. Only document with stamps are considered official.

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