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Manual Handling

This document outlines a manual handling awareness training course aimed at preventing injuries among staff. It highlights the importance of proper techniques, warm-up exercises, and planning before lifting, while also presenting statistics on common injuries and their causes. Additionally, it provides guidelines for safe lifting practices and emphasizes the need for seeking help when necessary.

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ahmad adel
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38 views26 pages

Manual Handling

This document outlines a manual handling awareness training course aimed at preventing injuries among staff. It highlights the importance of proper techniques, warm-up exercises, and planning before lifting, while also presenting statistics on common injuries and their causes. Additionally, it provides guidelines for safe lifting practices and emphasizes the need for seeking help when necessary.

Uploaded by

ahmad adel
Copyright
© © All Rights Reserved
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
Available Formats
Download as PPS, PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd

MANUAL HANDLING

AWARENESS TRAINING COURSE


FOR STAFF
CHANGING CULTURES
 People are often injured because of either a lack of
knowledge or an unwillingness to get help.

 Don’t be a manual handling hero!

 Remember: your well being rests on your ability to do


your job safely - get help, get it right.
ACCIDENT STATISTICS

40% Handling
Machinery
30%
Falls
20% Struck By
Trips
10% Others

0%
INJURIES STATISTICS

80%
Sprains
60% Fractures
Lacerations
40%
Contusions
20% Others
Superficial
0%
SITES OF INJURIES STATISTICS

50%
Back
40% Finger/Thumb
30% Arm
Lower Limb
20% Rest of Torso
10% Hand
Others
0%
BACK PAIN - THE SCALE OF THE
PROBLEM
 2 million people in Great Britain suffered from
work related ill health in 2004/05 - one in five of
those involved a bad back.
 Around 4½ million working days were lost through
bad backs in 2001/02.
 On average each sufferer took 17.4 days off work.

 One in eight unemployed people say that back pain


is the reason they're not working.

Figures taken from HSE better backs campaign 2006.


THE BACK
Where The Worst Damage Gets Done!

Spinal Cord

Vertebrae

Disc
MANUAL HANDLING TECHNIQUES
WARM UP EXERCISES

Warming up before taking any manual work is essential to


avoid damage to muscles and ligaments. Examples of
exercises include:

Arm Circles Limb Shakes Spot Marching

Shoulder Rotations Breathing Leg Swings


POOR MANUAL HANDLING TECHNIQUES
GOOD MANUAL HANDLING TECHNIQUES

 Head erect
 Chin up
 Back straight
 Elbows in
 Knees bent
 Feet slightly apart
PLAN THE LIFT
Prior to carrying out any manual handling task stop &
think … plan the lift……
 Are handling aids available to
prevent/reduce manual handling?

 Where is the load going?

 Do you need help.

 Remove obstructions.

 Is the way clear of slip hazards?

 Do you need rest stops?


ASSESS THE LOAD
Look at the position of the load
Slide it towards you rather than reaching.
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.
PICKING UP THE LOAD
Part 1 – position yourself correctly next to the load
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.
PICKING UP THE LOAD
Part 2– Bending down to pick up the load

With a 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.

 Lean over the load to get a


firm grip.
LIFTING THE LOAD

 If lifting from ground make maximum use


of legs.
 Keep back straight but inclined forward.
 Lift smoothly.
 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.
CARRYING THE LOAD
Part 1 - Ensure the load is gripped correctly

 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.
CARRYING THE LOAD
Part 2 – Walking with the load and laying it down.

 Make sure you can see where you are going.

 Avoid twisting the body, move your feet


instead.

 Keep the load as close to your body as


possible.

 If you need to change your grip,


set the load down – not whilst walking.

 Set the load down and adjust.

 Use the correct stance for lifting and set the


load down gently.
GUIDELINES FOR A 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.
GUIDELINE WEIGHTS FOR LIFTING (MALE)
Full Height 10kg 5kg

Shoulder Height

20kg 10kg
Elbow Height
25kg 15kg

Knuckle Height 20kg 10kg

Mid Lower Leg 10kg 5kg

 Each box in the diagram shows guideline weights for lifting


and lowering.
 The weights assume that the load is readily grasped with both
hands and the operation takes place in reasonable conditions
with the lifter in a stable position.
GUIDELINE WEIGHTS FOR LIFTING (FEMALE)
Full 7kg 3kg
Height
Shoulder Height
13kg 7kg
Elbow Height 16kg 10kg

Knuckle Height 13kg 7kg

Mid Lower Leg 7kg 3kg

 Each box in the diagram shows guideline weights for lifting


and lowering.
 The weights assume that the load is readily grasped with both
hands and the operation takes place in reasonable conditions
with the lifter in a stable position.
GOOD MANUAL HANDLING TECHNIQUES

 Head erect
 Chin up
 Back straight
 Elbows in
 Knees bent
 Feet slightly apart
IF YOU HAVE BACK PAIN
 Try to keep moving.

 Try to stay at work or get back as soon as possible.

 Heat or cold may help.

 May need to reduce or modify activities.

 If severe you may need to rest for a few days.

 Seek medical advice.

 The faster you get going the sooner your back will feel better.
REMEMBER!
You can help prevent back pain by:

 Maintaining good posture.

 Exercising regularly.

 Warming up appropriately for tasks/exercise.

 Watching your weight.

 Changing posture regularly when performing repetitive tasks.

 Keeping fit and active.


PRACTICAL EXERCISES

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