To impart the necessary

knowledge and skills

required by persons who are
required to carry
out manual handling risk
assessments or are
required to move loads by
manual effort, so as to
ensure that good safe lifting
techniques are

 Sites of Injuries Caused by Manual

Handling
Back 45%
Finger/Thumb 16%
Arms 13%
Lower limbs 9%
Rest of torso 8%
Hands 6%
Other 3%

The Spinal Column and its

Divisions

The Spinal Column and its

Divisions

The Spines 3 main functions are:

1. To allow movement.
2. To support the upper body.
3. To protect the spinal cord.

Manual Handling
Manual handling is defined as the transporting or
supporting of a load by hands or bodily force.
These includes:
Carrying
Putting down
Pushing
Pulling
Moving
Lifting
Supporting

Causes of back problems

Overweight
Can put extra stress on muscles
Out of shape
Weak muscles cant do supporting job
Poor posture
Puts unnecessary pressure and curvature on the back
Muscle fatigue and strain
Fractured vertebra
May injure spinal cord and cause paralysis
Ruptured or slipped disc
Presses on spinal nerves and causes pain in back
and legs
Diseases
Arthritis

Types of Injuries:
1. Ligaments
2. Muscles & tendons
3. Nerves
4. Fractures
5. Cuts from sharp edges

The Forces Involved

If the fulcrum is in the centre, it
only requires the force, equal to the
weight of the object to enable the
object to be moved
If you shift the fulcrum to one side, it
takes much more force to lift the
same object.
Your waist acts like the fulcrum in a
lever system, on a 10:1 ratio.
Lifting a ten pound object puts 100
pounds of pressure on your lower
back.

The Forces
Involved
When you add in the 105
pounds of the average
human upper torso, you
see that lifting a ten
pound object actually
puts 1,150 pounds of
pressure on the lower
back.

Good Handling Technique for Lifting

Remember: Bend your knees and Lift with ease!
Think before lifting/handling.
Can handling aids be used?
Where is the load going to be placed?
Will help be needed with the load?
Remove obstructions such as discarded
wrapping materials
For a long lift, consider resting the
load midway on a table or bench to
change grip.

Adopt a stable position. The feet should be

apart with one leg slightly forward to maintain
balance (alongside the load, if it is on the
ground). The worker should be prepared to
move their feet during the lift to maintain their
stability. Avoid tight clothing or unsuitable
footwear, which may make this difficult.
Get a good hold. Where possible the load
should be hugged as close as possible to the
body. This may be better than gripping it
tightly with hands only.
Start in a good posture. At the start of the
lift, slight bending of the back, hips and
knees is preferable to fully flexing the back
(stooping) or fully flexing the hips and knees
(squatting).

Keep the load close to the waist. Keep

the load close to the body for as long as
possible while lifting. Keep the heaviest side
of the load next to the body. If a close
approach to the load is not possible, try to
slide it towards the body before attempting
to lift it.
Avoid twisting the back or leaning sideways,
especially while the back is bent. Shoulders should
be kept level and facing in the same direction as the
hips. Turning by moving the feet is better than
twisting and lifting at the same time.

Keep the head up when handling. Look

ahead, not down at the load, once it has
been held securely.
Move smoothly. The load should not be
jerked or snatched as this can make it
harder to keep control and can increase the
risk of injury.
Dont lift or handle more than can be easily be
managed
There is a difference between what
people think they can lift and what they
can safely lift. If in doubt, get help.
Put down, then adjust. If precise
positioning of the load is necessary, put
it down first, then slide it into the
desired position.

PRINCIPLES OF SAFE HANDLING

Assess
TASK:
Posture
Frequency
Duration
Intensity
Pacing
Team Handling
Rewards
INDIVIDUAL:
Strength
Height
Pregnancy
Health
Training
Experience
Gender
Age

PRINCIPLES OF SAFE HANDLING

Assess
LOAD:
Weight
Shape
Size
Handles
Packaging
Stability
Contents
ENVIRONMENT:
Space constraints
Floor condition and
levels
Temperature
Humidity
Ventilation
Lighting
Noise

Plan the Task:

Consider the most appropriate postures.
Is there mechanical equipment available?
Is there anybody that can help?
Is PPE being worn correctly?
Plan the Route:
Consider start and end points.
Are there doors or steps on the route?
Any obstructions to be cleared?
Are there vehicles or other persons to be aware
of?

LOAD
Can the load be split?
Make the load stable.
Pack shifting contents tightly.
Evenly distribute contents.
Keep the centre of gravity of the load close to
you
Cover sharp abrasive edges.
YOURSELF
Get a good grip of the load.
Use PPE when necessary.

Prepare
AREA
Clear area of obstacles.
Warn people.
Check destination.
Ensure good lighting.
Check housekeeping

Perform:
Apply principles of biomechanics to reduce
the
loading on the spine
Keep a wide base of support.
Maintain the lumbar curve (low back) as
much
as possible.
Brace yourself
Get a good grip.

 Perform: contd
Position feet in direction of
travel.
Use smooth controlled
movements.
Use friction to minimise force.
Try to avoid twisting and
stooping.
Use team lifting where
appropriate.

Safe Lifting Rules:- bend your knees and lift with

ease!
Stand close to the object--have a firm footing
Keep the back straight while bending the knees
Grasp the object firmly
Lift with the leg muscles
Slowly straighten legs and bring back to vertical
position
Hold object firmly close to the body while moving
Use same motions to set object down
Avoid sudden, jerky motions
Turn with feet instead of back
Do not extend arms too far away from the body to set
object down

 Safe Lifting Rules:- bend your knees and

lift with ease!
Use Your Head Before You Use Your Back
Examine an object for best way to hold it
Check for sharp edges, grease, moisture
Clear path of obstructions & trip hazards
Know where and how to deposit object
If in doubt--get help!

Special Precautions:
Overhead Lifting
Keep firm footing
Get a ladder or platform
Get help!

Heavy objects
Use more than one person
Break down object into smaller loads
Use moving & lifting tools
Hand trucks
Hoists
Dollies
Conveyors
Electric or hand-powered hoist;
Lift truck.

TEAM LIFTING means:

1. COMMUNICATION 2. COOPERATION 3. COORDINATION
Team Lifting Advantages
Reduces strain on each individual
Requires no costly equipment
Increases the control over awkward loads
Team Lifting Disadvantages
Can only be used with moderately increased weights
( 2/3
combined capacities )
Communication and coordination are sometimes
confused
Requires training and commitment

TEAM LIFTING (cond)

Team Lifting Considerations
Similar size and capabilities?
Your left or my left?
Facing each other?
Is the leader going backwards?
One, two, three - lift!
In step or break step?
Uphill or downhill?

Risk Assessment