Manual Handling
Course Outline
2

Introduction

Personnel training

Training focus

Common injuries

Causes of injuries

Planning a lift

Handling of chemicals

PPE requirements

Summary
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
the following areas:
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
Common injuries

Causes of injuries

Planning manual lifts

PPE requirements

Other requirements
May Injure Your back
Types Of Injury Caused by handling
Accidents
5%
7%
7%
7%
9%
5
65%
Sprain & strain
Superficial
Contusion
Lacerations
Fractures
Others
Common Injuries
Common injuries include:

Strains and sprains to joints &
muscles

Torn ligaments & tendons

Slipped discs, tears and
Wounds
hernias
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
Cuts & abrasions

Back injuries

Crush injuries (fingers, toes)
Hernias
Fractures
Cause of Injury
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
Bad postures (sudden movements,
twisting, jerking)

Heavy loads (loads beyond ones
capability)

Rough surfaces (sharp, jagged
edges, splinters, projections)

Crushing (heavy loads, no wedges)

Lack of knowledge (load weight)

Obscured vision (walking backwards,
load blocking vision)
Strains
&
Sprains
Moving Wrong Way
Planning a Manual Lift
In planning a manual lift, a lot of factors
needs to be considered;
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
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
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:
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
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?
Planning a Manual Lift
C: Kinetic method of lifting
This entails proper body posture for
lifting:
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
Correct feet positioning

Flexible knees

Straight back

Keeping arms close to the body

Correct grip/hold

Chin in, head up

Use of body weight
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 )

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Looking straight in the
direction of movement.
Good
Bad
Planning a Manual Lift
E: Carrying the load
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
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.
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:
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
Assistance to be of similar height and
body weight.

Get further assistance to direct lifting
operation.
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.
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
Pulleys

Come-along

Fork lifts

Cranes

Others
TO PREVENT PAIN, INJURIES
AND DAMAGE ..
Examine &
test…
Get help…
Talk…
Plan the job…
Wear PPE
Get a good grip
and breath...
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Rest
frequently…
Lift…
Lifting – One Person Squat
Raise…
Think!!
Grasp…
Lift slowly
and …
Bend…
Hold…
Stand…
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Carrying
Don’t block….
Keep arms..
Don’t change..
Keep the Load
close to the
Body..
Avoid twisting…
Take small steps
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Unloading
Bend…
Slide…
Place…
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Be careful…
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
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Repetitive Trauma
Physical overload
Pain & Suffering caused
by Back Injures
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Limited Mobility
limited in physical movements
Decreased Activity
can’t move around as much
Change in life style
Loss or reduction in revenue
can’t do all the things you used to be
able to do.
can’t work or have to change jobs.
Depression
from the changes above
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:
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
Chemical composition

Exposures limit

Storage requirements

Safe handling method

First Aid measures

Disposal requirement

PPE requirement

Emergencies
SPECIFIC
HAZARD
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




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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
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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